36 LIRR workers tied to overtime scam — some doubled their salaries, report

Dozens of Long Island Rail Road employees are under investigation for using cloned employee ID cards to collect overtime they didn’t work, according to a recent MTA Inspector General report, Newsday reported.

Some of the accused workers reportedly doubled or nearly tripled their salaries in 2024 through the scheme, racking up tens of thousands in unearned overtime.

For example, gang foreman Craig Murray took home $345,780 — of which $220,074 was attributed to overtime hours. Another gang foreman, William Gagliardi, collected $166,724 in overtime pay, compared to his regular annual earnings of $115,952, for a total of $283,821.

Newsday reported that 12 of the 36 accused workers have resigned or retired, while one was terminated after a disciplinary trial. The remainder are still employed by the LIRR, serving unpaid suspensions or other penalties, or awaiting the outcomes of pending disciplinary proceedings.

For Newsday’s full report and the complete list of all 36 names, click here.

_{Top photo taken by Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of Governor Kathy Hochul.}