T worker accused of stealing $450G
AG’s office: Repairer robbed bus fare boxes
An MBTA employee is accused of taking his job emptying out bus fare boxes in Southie home with him — allegedly pocketing $450,000, the attorney general’s office said yesterday.
Stephen P. Fagerberg, 55, of Dedham was indicted by a Suffolk grand jury on two counts of larceny over $1,200 in a continuous scheme.
The 12-year employee of the transit agency earned $106,000 last year, payroll records obtained by the Herald show. He’s been suspended without pay and is set to be arraigned Oct. 11 in Suffolk Superior Court.
He was first charged in June for allegedly stealing $80,000. That total was hiked to $450,000 yesterday in a case officials said was ongoing.
The indictment states Fagerberg “was responsible for fixing and repairing fare collection boxes on MBTA buses in South Boston.” He was busted following a sting, the AG’s office said, that included using marked bills. That money was later deposited into his personal bank account “via a driveup ATM,” the AG added.
State police assigned to the AG’s office, the Massachusetts State Police and the MBTA police all collaborated on the case.
“Subsequent investigation by the AG’s office determined that Fagerberg allegedly stole more than $450,000 from MTBA fare boxes,” the AG added.
The T employee’s lawyer, Samuel Higer, had no comment. But the T said it is going after the money.
“The MBTA has initiated the disciplinary process to terminate this employee and will work with the attorney general’s office to seek restitution,” said T spokesman Joe Pesaturo. “The MBTA will also pursue any available civil remedies to make the Authority whole.”
Pesaturo said the fare boxes allegedly robbed will become obsolete in two years when cash will no longer be accepted on buses and trolleys. An audit of the fare boxes was done this spring, he added.
“The MBTA’s new fare payment system will make paying for transit easier and more convenient. Customers will be able to tap and board at any door with a fare card, smartphone or contactless credit card,” the T said.
Fagerberg’s official title is automated fare technician. The AG’s office began investigating him in April.