Quantcast

E-ZPass Abusing Parks Official Gets Slapped With Huge Fine

013009ezpass.jpg The Parks Department is making an example out of a high-ranking employee who used his official E-ZPass on personal trips. Even though the accumulated tolls totaled only $52, the Department is fining the official $11,000—or 211 times what he admitted stealing. What's really embarrassing is that Martin Brenner, the admitted E-ZPass abuser, was director of the agency's Management Information Systems at the time. So as chief technology officer, he should have known E-ZPass transactions are easily traceable, a fact that's also, you know, common knowledge. As part of his punishment, Brenner was demoted to deputy, had his pay cut from $101,000 to $95,000, and lost the right to drive any city vehicle. This wasn't the first time for Brenner either; one Parks source tells the Post, "He was warned not to do this again. Then he did it again. He could have been fired." The stern punishment comes on the heels of an MTA crackdown on bureaucratic abuse E-ZPasses.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

Comments [rss]

  • poopmast

    I'm not surprised by this especially since this guy is the world's lowest paid CTO. Let him get a few rides

  • jaycjay

    He was MIS Director, not CTO.

  • jackdonaghy

    Cousin Jeffrey of the Parks Department would never do this.

  • books

    why should a city official even have a city car - shouldnt they use the NYC subways and buses like the rest of us are supposed to?

  • Dirk

    Good. People who handle tax-payer money should be held accountable for their actions.

  • "He was warned not to do this again. Then he did it again. He could have been fired." Classic.

  • MT

    That seems pretty harsh, but it's about time people who abuse taxpayer funded resources got reigned in. How about we do this with the parking placards.

blog comments powered by Disqus

send a tip

tips@gothamist.com