3 accused of taking T pay for no work
Anonymous tip sparked probe of longtime workers
A construction inspector and an engineer who each worked for the MBTA for more than 20 years faced felony charges yesterday, accused of collecting pay for what the attorney general's office described as no-show jobs. A third man, also an inspector, is expected to appear today in Suffolk Superior Court.
The two men arraigned yesterday pleaded not guilty to larceny of more than $250 and presentation of false claims.
The allegations stem from an investigation sparked by an anonymous tip to the inspector general in April 2005 that included the surveillance of worksites where the three men were paid to oversee construction.
Christopher Peatridge, 64, worked for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority for more than 23 years until he retired on Oct. 1, 2005.
As a construction inspector, Peatridge was supposed to report to work at 7 a.m. but allegedly did not arrive until after lunch on repeated dates between April and June 2005.
Investigators say records show that from July to November 2004 Peatridge allegedly operated a security business on the side.
He is accused of collecting tens of thousands of dollars from the MBTA on days when he was actually working for his own business, which often took him out of state.
Neither Peatridge nor his attorney could be reached for comment. Peatridge has been charged with two counts of larceny and two counts of presentation of false claims.
Surveillance also showed that engineer Michael O'Toole, 49, was being paid a full wage for much less than a day's work, the attorney general said. O'Toole retired on Nov. 1, 2005, after more than 23 years at the MBTA.
The Milton resident is accused of rarely working more than a few hours at his job site on various dates from April 2004 to June 2005. Surveillance found that on some days he never showed up, according to the attorney general.
"My client vehemently denies that," said O'Toole's lawyer, Thomas Drechsler. "We look forward to a trial, and we expect he'll be exonerated."
Pending the outcome of the case, O'Toole has been placed on unpaid leave from his job as a court officer in the Suffolk Probate and Family Court.
Inspector Francis Flaherty, 52, is scheduled to be arraigned today on similar charges.
The South Boston resident has worked for the MBTA for almost 25 years but has been suspended without pay since his indictment last month. He is accused of working much less than he indicated on time sheets submitted between June and September 2006.
"The T is grateful for the help of the IG and AG in rooting out any fraud and abuse within the system," MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said in a statement. 