Durbin Asks IG to Investigate Potential Misuse of Federal Funds by Metra Director - Press Releases - Press Office

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – After learning that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has increased its oversight of federal funds that have been allocated to Metra, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Department of Transportation’s Inspector General, Calvin Scovel, to investigate whether any federal funds given to Metra were misused or used in any unauthorized way. Durbin’s request comes just days after Metra’s Board or Directors voted to hire an outside legal counsel to initiate an inquiry into reports of potential irregularities allegedly involving Metra’s Executive Director, Phil Pagano.

Durbin wrote: “Federal funding appropriated by Congress has helped repair and expand Metra’s system for the more than 300,000 daily passengers using the system. These passengers deserve to know their tax dollars are being spent wisely.

“As you know, the FTA has temporarily put Metra on restricted drawdown status for Federal funds while the investigations continue regarding Mr. Pagano's actions. I believe Metra and their ridership would benefit from additional oversight of past and future federal funding by the Inspector General’s office.”

[Text of the letter appears below]

May 5, 2010

The Honorable Calvin L. Scovel III
Inspector General
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E.
7th Floor
Washington, DC 20590

Dear Inspector General Scovel:

I am writing regarding the recent action taken by the Metra Board of Directors. On April 30, the Board held an emergency meeting and voted to hire an outside legal counsel to initiate an inquiry into reports of potential irregularities allegedly involving Metra’s Executive Director
Phil Pagano. I believe the Board’s oversight action can be complemented by your office’s involvement. In particular, I would encourage you to investigate whether any federal funds were misused or spent in any unauthorized way.

Metra has a long history of providing reliable and safe mass transportation for millions of residents in Northeast Illinois. I have worked with Members of the Illinois delegation to improve and expand this service. Federal funding appropriated by Congress has helped repair and expand Metra’s system for the more than 300,000 daily passengers using the system. These passengers deserve to know their tax dollars are being spent wisely.

As you know, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has temporarily put Metra on restricted drawdown status for federal funds while the investigations continue regarding Mr. Pagano's actions. I believe Metra and their ridership would benefit from additional oversight of past and future federal funding by the Inspector General’s office.

The issues raised by Metra’s Board of Directors, FTA’s recent actions and the issues raised in several press reports warrant an investigation by your office. I respectfully request you to become involved in the ongoing investigation initiated by the Board. Maintaining the integrity of our federal transportation funding is a high priority and I believe your involvement will help us ensure federal funds are not allowed to be abused.

Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
U.S. Senator