On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, Tom Shabani, a Metro-North Railroad cashier and 24-year employee based out of White Plains, with responsibility for handling money received from ticket vending machines, was arrested and charged with grand larceny in the second degree. Following an internal audit, an investigation by the MTA Police Department (MTAPD) revealed that in the course of his duties, Shabani removed approximately $206,000 from a counting room without authorization.
Shabani was arraigned in White Plains City Court on Wednesday, March 26, where he was released on his own recognizance. The case is being prosecuted by Westchester District Attorney’s Office Bureau Chief William Dyer Halpern and Senior Assistant District Attorney Renee Hassel. Shabani is scheduled to be back in court on April 16, 2025.
“After we uncovered this crime and following the MTAPD investigation, this employee has been relieved of duty without pay pending additional disciplinary action,” said Metro-North Railroad Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Justin Vonashek. “Metro-North has no tolerance for any betrayal of responsibility to safeguard public funds for the people of New York. We have taken steps to ensure security measures are reinforced.”
“Any theft of public funds represents an extraordinary breach of trust, especially when such theft is alleged to have been committed by a public official,” said Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace. “New Yorkers need to have confidence in their public servants. Our swift prosecution of this case should serve as a warning to anyone considering stealing from the public coffers.”