Photo by Síle Moloney
The MTA announced on Thursday, March 27, that its police department (MTAPD) arrested a Metro-North employee and charged him with theft of public funds.
They said Shabani was arraigned in White Plains City Court on Wednesday, March 26, where he was released on his own recognizance. They said the case is being prosecuted by Westchester District Attorney’s Office Bureau Chief William Dyer Halpern and Senior Assistant District Attorney Renee Hassel.
They said Shabani is scheduled to be back in court on April 16. “After we uncovered this crime and following the MTAPD investigation, this employee has been relieved of duty without pay pending additional disciplinary action,” said Metro-North Railroad Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Justin Vonashek. “Metro-North has no tolerance for any betrayal of responsibility to safeguard public funds for the people of New York. We have taken steps to ensure security measures are reinforced.”
Meanwhille, Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace, said, “Any theft of public funds represents an extraordinary breach of trust, especially when such theft is alleged to have been committed by a public official. New Yorkers need to have confidence in their public servants. Our swift prosecution of this case should serve as a warning to anyone considering stealing from the public coffers.”
Shabani is presumed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.
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