Toll collectors charged with pocketing fares

Probe finds 10 Pike employees allegedly stole thousands of dollars

Ten Turnpike toll collectors have been conducting several schemes to steal thousands of dollars in revenue from the Central Artery tunnel plazas, authorities charged yesterday.

A probe of the agents began in October, when a Massachusetts Turnpike Authority audit revealed its toll-collection system was susceptible to theft — and state police determined in a four-month investigation that collectors were stealing fares.

Authorities say one scheme involved toll collectors at the Callahan and Ted Williams tunnels recording passenger cars as taxis, which are charged higher rates, and then pocketing the difference — amounting to as much as $150 a shift. The split toll fee system has been in place since 1995, and Turnpike officials admitted yesterday there’s no way to tell if collectors have been skimming money ever since. Collectors also allegedly manipulated timing switches by counting two vehicles as one and then pocketed the extra fare.

“This was the very definition of a violation of the public trust,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley, whose office is investigating the matter.

“When it started and how long its been going on, that’s hard to tell,” added Turnpike Executive Director Alan LeBovidge.

The 10 current and former employees received summonses yesterday to appear in court. On average, they had 17 years and eight months experience on the job. Those still employed by the Pike have been placed on unpaid administrative leave.

The allegations come as the cash-strapped Turnpike Authority has been searching for ways to cut costs and cut into its debt.

Transportation Secretary Bernard Cohen said the charges “send a clear message that this kind of activity will not be tolerated at an agency that needs every single dollar of revenue to cover its costs.”