Shoddy record-keeping at the MTA’s Bridges and Tunnels division is putting truckers at risk of being defrauded or ripped off by unsanctioned towing companies, the agency’s inspector general warned Thursday.
IG Carolyn Pokorny’s conclusion comes after her office received — but could not substantiate — multiple complaints of MTA officers taking kickbacks for delivering out-of-compliance trucks to specific towing companies, according to an audit released Thursday.
Just four companies are authorized to haul trucks off MTA Bridges and Tunnels properties, but the agency keeps no records of which companies are called for specific incidents — allowing potential fraud to go unchecked, she wrote in the report.
“Although we found no evidence of inappropriate activity, the agency’s record-keeping practices did not allow for a thorough analysis of recent towing incidents,” her office wrote in the audit. “For this reason, management might not have the information it needs to reduce the likelihood of abuse.”
“We could not determine which towing companies had responded to the incidents we reviewed because B&T’s records did not contain this information,” the audit said, adding that “an opportunity exists for inappropriate behavior to occur without management’s knowledge.”

Vehicle owners pay a minimum of $250 for towing services, but one complaint to Pokorny’s office alleged egregious charges totaling $6,500.
“Motorists should never be put in a position to be scammed — especially when they are at their most vulnerable,” Pokorny said in a statement.
In response to the audit’s findings, MTA officials committed to strengthen their record-keeping procedures, including by requiring that the name of the towing company and tow receipt be kept on file.

“Although none of the allegations were substantiated, MTA Bridges and Tunnels is committed to complete transparency to ensure there is no potential for the perception of improper handling of tow incidents. We cooperated fully with the inquiry and have already implemented the IG’s recommendations to improve procedures and record-keeping,” MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan told The Post.