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E-ZCatch

Bus driver George Botts was vice president of his union local. Rather than actually drive a bus, he was allowed to stay at a Staten Island, N.Y., bus depot, serving the union’s members. But according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Inspector General’s office, records from the E-ZPass toll-collection system show he was in fact driving on work time — commuting in late and back out to Pennsylvania early. The agency documented 66 hours and 36 minutes of falsified time, and wanted to fire Botts. But thanks to the union, he was instead suspended for 30 days, and will have to pay restitution. “Falsifying time cards is akin to stealing money from the MTA, and it is absolutely not tolerated,” said an agency representative. (AC/New York Daily News) ...The union protects its members from getting fired — even for ripping off the members.