Four former and one current employee of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) have been indicted for falsifying track inspection reports and conducting private work during their official hours.

The charges against the defendants include falsification of records, aiding and abetting, and making false statements, with their arrests occurring on May 29, 2025.

If convicted, the defendants could face up to 20 years in prison for their actions.

The MBTA has expressed gratitude to the U.S. Attorney's office for the investigation and emphasized its commitment to accountability and high conduct standards among its employees.

Following the allegations, the MBTA placed eight employees on leave, with four being terminated last year for similar misconduct.

The investigation was referred to the U.S. Attorney's Office by the MBTA's Transit Police, highlighting serious concerns about employee conduct at the Cabot Yard facility.

Video surveillance revealed that while claiming to conduct inspections, the indicted employees were instead using facility amenities, contradicting their reports.

The indicted employees had substantial earnings in 2024, with Ronald Gamble making about $241,000, while the others earned between $152,000 and $167,000.

Of the five indicted, only Pfaffinger remains employed by the MBTA, having been placed on leave pending further review.

General Manager Phil Eng reiterated the agency's commitment to ensuring public safety and reliability in transit services, asserting that the misconduct does not reflect the agency's values.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucy Sun from the Public Corruption Unit, with support from various federal agencies involved in the investigation.

The defendants are awaiting trial in U.S. District Court, underscoring the need for improved oversight to restore public trust in the transit system.