Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority repairman charged in $80,000 theft
Boston MA June 21 2018 An MBTA, repairman allegedly stole $80,000 in cash from the financially strapped transit agency’s fare box system, money he allegedly deposited in his own bank account by using a drive-through ATM machine, state officials said.
Stephen P. Fagerberg was arraigned in Roxbury Municipal Court Wednesday on a single count of larceny over $1,200 in a continuous scheme. He pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance, ordered to surrender his passport and stay away from MBTA property, according to Attorney General Maura Healey’s office.
Officials did not disclose how Fagerberg was able to drain the cash from the T’s fare collection system except to note that as an automated fare technician “Fagerberg is responsible for fixing and repairing fare collection boxes on MBTA buses in South Boston.”
But authorities said they discovered what he did with the allegedly stolen cash. Investigators planted marked bills in fare collection boxes maintained by Fageberg, which he allegedly “deposited the marked bills into his personal bank account via a drive-up ATM.”
He allegedly stole $80,000 “over several months,’’ Healey’s office said in a statement.
One notorious case occurred in 1984, when 34 people who worked in the T’s money room were charged with stealing nearly $1 million.
The investigation was conducted by Healey’s office along with State Police and Transit Police.
Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan referred questions about the investigation to Healey’s office.
Fagerberg, 55, is a Dedham resident.
In a statement, MBTA spokesman Joseph Pesaturo wrote that Fagerberg has been suspended without pay.
“The alleged conduct is a reprehensible violation of the public’s trust, and a stain on the good work performed by thousands of MBTA employees every day,’’ the statement issued by the T said. “The MBTA has launched an internal review into all revenue collection procedures, and the T will implement protocols to prevent such activity from occurring.”
Fagerberg is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 14.
According to government records, Fagerberg earned $69,437 last year, but has been paid as much as $93,360 in prior years, according to state payroll records.
The investigation is ongoing.
Boston Globe
