MTA Inspector General Carolyn Pokorny has resigned to take a job as the top deputy to Breon Peace, the US attorney in the Eastern District of New York.
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo appointed Pokorny for the MTA IG role in 2019. She previously served 14 years as a prosecutor in the Eastern District, which is based in Brooklyn, before joining the Cuomo administration in 2017.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as the MTA Inspector General,” Pokorny said in a statement. “I am so proud to have led this incredible team of passionate and intelligent people. I know the high caliber of work will continue under Acting Inspector General Elizabeth ‘Beth’ Keating and whomever is ultimately confirmed to this post by the New York State Senate.”
Peace, in a statement, said Pokorny “brings a wealth of knowledge and experience” as well as “impeccable judgment and the utmost integrity.”
The IG’s office under her leadership released dozens of reports, investigations and audits, many of which had been kept under wraps by her predecessor.
Carolyn Pokorny being sworn in as first assistant US attorney by US Attorney Breon Peace.
Among Pokorny’s notable investigations were the illegal “man-cave” discovered under Grand Central Terminal and a report on a recent shipwreck that destroyed the New York City Transit Authority’s sole workboat.
Her office also reported on the MTA’s efforts to address homelessness and curb overtime spending and abuse. Those probes resulted in criminal charges.
As part of the effort to stop OT fraud, Pokorny investigated multiple allegations that workers had destroyed the MTA’s computerized time clocks.
IG Carolyn Pokorny’s investigation led to the discovery of an illegal “man-cave” under Grand Central Terminal.
IG Carolyn Pokorny investigated multiple allegations that workers had destroyed the MTA’s computerized time clocks.
New acting IG Keating has worked in the office for more than two decades, and has led its audit unit since 2007, Pokorny’s statement said. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s chosen successor must be confirmed by the state Senate.
“She’s got a strong background. She’s got a strong ethic. She’s got a really strong track record,” Lisa Daglian, of the MTA’s in-house citizens advisory committee, said about Keating. “It’s in good hands in the interim. Carolyn is a force and a presence.”
“Carolyn and her team, and that includes Beth, have elevated the office of the IG and put in place transparency,” Daglian said. “They’ve looked at issues that have a real direct effect on riders.”
