Passenger Trains > FBI probe into SEPTA fraud, other SEPTA internal problems

FBI probe into fraud at SEPTA looks at second business, this one in NJ

Philadelphia Inquirer
by Jason Laughlin
October 1, 2019

FBI probe into fraud at SEPTA looks at a second business, this one in
N.J.
 
Federal agents’ investigation into fraudulent spending at SEPTA led
them to a second business Monday, a source with knowledge of the
investigation confirmed.
 
The business, Transportation Parts Suppliers in Bellmawr, sells
chemicals, paper products, janitorial supplies, and “hard to find bus
parts,” according to a NJ.com ad. It was searched by agents Monday,
the owner, James Pape, confirmed. Related stories
 
“They’re going through some things and they’re going through some
questions, and I’m not going to say anything until I know what
they’re dealing with,” Pape said. “I’m not concerned for myself.”
 
Transportation Parts Suppliers has been in operation since 2009 and
occasionally does business with SEPTA, Pape said.
 
Pape said agents did not tell him what they were searching for. He
declined to discuss any questions they asked him.

https://www.inquirer.com/news/fbi-investigation-septa-fraud-spending-credit-card-transit-transportation-20191001.html
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Prior story:

FBI investigating workers who misused funds at SEPTA
Philadelphia Inquirer
by Jason Laughlin
August 1, 2019

The FBI is investigating fraudulent spending at SEPTA, sources with
knowledge of the investigation said.

The investigation, first reported by PlanPhilly, began with SEPTA’s
internal inspector general months ago, sources said, but was handed
over to federal investigators. Within the last month, FBI
investigators were gathering evidence at SEPTA’s Woodland Avenue
facility, a location where SEPTA’s buildings and bridges work crews
are assigned.
 
The investigation is centered on fewer than a dozen SEPTA managers
who embezzled money through agency credit cards in collaboration with
an outside vendor, sources said. The amount of money taken could be
in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, they said.

PlanPhilly reported that facilities managers were fabricating
fraudulent supply and repair invoices generally involved in
construction projects. The purchases were never filled, though, and
managers and vendors kept leftover money. The subjects of the
investigation also are being investigated for taking SEPTA property.
 
“It’s something we’ve been hearing for at least a couple months now,”
said Joe Coccio, secretary-treasurer with the Transit Workers Union
Local 234, which represents some classes of SEPTA workers.
 
SEPTA’s facilities managers have latitude to use agency credit cards
on some minor expenses at stores as needed to speed work. It allows
them to forgo the delay of a procurement process or traveling to
another SEPTA facility to obtain an item.

https://www.inquirer.com/news/septa-theft-fbi-fraud-20190801.html

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More internal SEPTA woes:

Cyber theft caused SEPTA to kill its online store
Philadelphia Inquirer
by Jason Laughlin
September 19, 2019

The digital theft of personal information about hundreds of customers
led SEPTA to shutter its online store this summer, officials said.
 
According to letters sent this month to the 761 people who were
likely victimized, the hack into the e-commerce site led to the theft
of information including credit card numbers, names, and addresses,
SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said. Related stories
 
The store offered online ticket purchases, along with SEPTA swag like
mugs and T-shirts. It wasn’t heavily used, Busch said, and SEPTA was
concerned about the breach being a liability in the future.

“Overall, the best decision was to take it down,” Busch said.

The intrusion at shop.septa.org came to SEPTA’s attention July 16
after a customer received a malware warning while using the site.
SEPTA was not the only victim of the cyber crime, Busch said, but it
was not clear what other businesses were affected.

https://www.inquirer.com/news/septa-data-breach-cyber-crime-hack-tech-philadelphia-20190919.html

But as of October 1, 2019, SEPTA still directs online ticket purchasers to shop.septa.org:



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 10/01/19 23:50 by GenePoon.

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Paper, janitorial supplies and, oh yeah, we got bus parts. THAT doesn't sound even a little bit suspicious. Not at all.