Fired New Jersey Transit Compliance Chief Says Safety Advice Quashed
- Warned ‘not to put anything in writing,’ ex-staffer testifies
- Brief tenure ended after questions about operations, staffing
A New Jersey Transit train arrives at Pennsylvania Station in Newark, New Jersey.
Photographer: John Taggart/BloombergA New Jersey Transit compliance officer on the job for less than six months was demoted, suspended and fired after he clashed with political hires loyal to Governor Chris Christie, he told state lawmakers.
Todd Barretta, testifying before a legislative committee with subpoena power to investigate the agency’s safety and finances, said he was instructed “not to put anything in writing” by Steve Santoro, NJ Transit’s executive director, after he flagged shortcomings in rail and bus operations and suggested fixes. As a workplace, the nation’s largest statewide mass-transportation provider is a “toxic environment,” he said, rife with arrogance, dysfunction and patronage. He also alleged corruption, though offered no examples.