So That's Where Toll Money Goes

A man working a toll booth at the Queens Midtown Tunnel was taking his own special toll according to Queens DA. Robert Applegate of Woodside was charged with grand larceny for stealing $2,077.21 in toll money while on the job (tolls are $4.50 for cars). How was he found out? MTA compared the number of cars that went through his toll booth with what he collected! Applegate was fired yesterday and MTA told amNew York that he was a temporary worker. Naturally, the Queens DA accused him of "highway robbery."

Photograph of Queens Midtown Tunnel from Triborough on Flickr

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By Jen Chung in News on August 24, 2006 8:22 AM

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dead letter box

the article said he stole on 64 occasions.

that comes out to an average of $32.45 per occasion. How does someone steal that much at a toll booth? I can understand it adding up, taking $.50 a pop or something....

damn. thats crazy.

zincink

Temp workers fight back..

"elaborate internal audit system" lol!

Adam

I agree with James. Seems like the MTA was asleep on the job here. Internal controls, anyone???

james

The article says that he was caught by a "fairly elaborate internal audit system." What a load of b.s.

Don't most places DAILY make sure that someone's till doesn't come up short?

Why did it take 64 times before the MTA decided something was wrong?

Oy.