Uncovering Waste, Fraud & Abuse at Amtrak

Committee Republicans have helped uncover and highlight a pattern of mismanagement at Amtrak, the nation’s intercity passenger rail provider.

On September 23, 2010, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Republican leader John L. Mica joined House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Darrell Issa and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Charles Grassley in requesting an independent Department of Transportation Inspector General investigation into the removal of Amtrak's former Inspector General Fred Weiderhold. 

A report prepared by the Oversight and Government Reform Committee and the Finance Committee found that Amtrak officials interfered with the independence of the inspector general's office, and removed Mr. Weiderhold from his post in violation of the law.  Mica, Issa and Grassley state in the letter above that they believe the report's findings are sufficient to warrant the dismissal of Amtrak's Chairman and General Counsel, and request that the DOT IG conduct an investigation in order to confirm the violations. (Washington Times article: Lawmakers Seek Investigation of Amtrak Executives)

Unfortunately, the issue of the Inspector General's removal is not an isolated incident at Amtrak.

A previous investigation by the Amtrak IG and an expert legal analyst, initiated in 2005 by Rep. Mica, revealed that the rail service doled out millions for outside legal services with no effective management or oversight.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has testified before Congress about the bungled acquisition process for the Acela train.

Another investigation by the GAO and the Amtrak IG led to the revelation that Amtrak was wasting tax dollars through its poorly managed food and beverage service, losing $2 for every $1 it took in.

Stronger accountability and reform at Amtrak will help stem the financial hemorrhaging and save a substantial amount of the taxpayers’ money.