The Metrolink commuter railroad paid former chief auditor Barbara Manning $29, 562. This is to settle her lawsuit accusing she was defamed and unlawfully fired for disclosing the management's railroad problems.
According to Los Angeles Times, the rail officials confirmed that the settlement happened with Manning last month. The former auditor was hired in June 2013 along with Metrolink's effort to evaluate and solve several financial and accounting problems, which was described as 'a morass' by an internal agency.
In December 2014, the veteran auditor with experience in the government was fired from her post. She then sued in July, claiming that three board members of Metrolink, namely Richard Katz, Keith Millhouse and Larry McCallon, incorrectly suspected her of causing railroad safety problems, said in another report by Los Angeles Times. In addition, she was accused of not following audit procedures as well as creating a hostile and terrifying atmosphere.
Both parties refused to give comments regarding the settlement. This was said to be part of the agreement containing a confidentiality provision that forbids them from discussing the lawsuit.
Aegis Law Firm reported that Manning asserted in the lawsuit that there were mishandled contracts, rampant accounting irregularities and poorly tracked ticket revenue. She then claimed to be defamed and terminated for shedding some light on the problems.
A former Metrolink board member Carolyn Cavecche also helped expose the railroad's widespread management problems just like Manning. She is in support of Manning saying that she was fighting against an agency that did not want to take responsibility for the problems that happened.
"She was hired to come in and put things in order. It was such a culture shock for the operation," Cavecche said. She added that the response from some board staff and members was to get Manning out of there. They fought against the process rather than changing the culture.
Manning's attorney William M. Crosby also defended her, saying she was a "consummate professional" who worked in several high-level positions. He added that never was Manning reported to have had performance issues. That's why for Crosby, what happened to Manning was outrageous.
