7 MBTA Workers Charged In Red Line Track Inspection Fraud

BOSTON, MA — Seven current and former MBTA employees were charged in federal court Tuesday in connection with an alleged scheme involving falsified Red Line track inspections and fraudulent overtime claims.

A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging six former Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority employees and one current employee with multiple conspiracy, wire fraud and records-related offenses, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts.

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The defendants are Brian Pfaffinger, 48, of Marshfield; Ronald Gamble, 63, of Dorchester; Magda Trinh, 45, of Avon; Jensen Vatel, 43, of Brockton; Nathalie Mendes, 54, of New Bedford; Danny Barbosa, 37, of Dorchester; and Matthew Leonard, 37, of Easton.

Pfaffinger, Gamble, Vatel and Mendes were previously indicted in May 2025 and arrested later that month. Trinh, Barbosa and Leonard were arrested Tuesday morning before making their initial appearances in federal court in Boston.

According to prosecutors, all seven defendants worked for the MBTA's Red Line Maintenance of Way department. Pfaffinger allegedly supervised the team, while Gamble, Trinh, Vatel and Mendes worked as track inspectors responsible for completing inspections and documenting them through the MBTA's MaxTrax reporting system.

Federal prosecutors allege that between Jan. 1 and Oct. 16, 2024, Pfaffinger, Gamble, Trinh, Vatel and Mendes either falsified Red Line track inspection reports or helped submit reports for inspections that were never completed. Gamble and Trinh allegedly instructed other inspectors to artificially extend the reported length of inspections to avoid scrutiny from MBTA officials. At the same time, Vatel and Mendes allegedly entered train numbers found online instead of completing required train rides during inspections.

Prosecutors also claim that while inspections were reported as being conducted, some employees were instead inside Cabot Yard, where Gamble, Vatel, Barbosa and Leonard allegedly worked on private vehicles during MBTA work hours. According to the indictment, Pfaffinger knew about the activity and also had subordinates perform work on his own personal vehicle.

The indictment further alleges that after learning of serious track defects in July 2024, Pfaffinger asked employees to spend part of a workday repairing his personal vehicle only 10 days later.

In addition, prosecutors allege Gamble regularly submitted overtime sheets claiming that he, Trinh, Mendes, Vatel, Barbosa and Leonard worked overtime shifts they either skipped, arrived late to or briefly checked into before leaving for extended periods. In some instances, prosecutors allege employees slept in their vehicles before returning later to finish their shifts.

Gamble also reportedly submitted overtime requests for Barbosa, Leonard and others as compensation for repairing private vehicles during regular work hours. Trinh is accused of helping submit at least one false overtime record claiming Vatel worked a shift he allegedly did not complete. Prosecutors allege Pfaffinger approved the overtime submissions as the team's supervisor.

Pfaffinger faces charges including conspiracy to falsify records, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, falsification of records and false statements. The remaining defendants face various combinations of conspiracy, wire fraud, falsification of records and false statement charges.

The conspiracy to falsify records and false statements charges each carry maximum penalties of five years in prison. Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and falsification of records each carry maximum penalties of 20 years in prison.