Fired Metrolink executive claims rail service endangered passengers with unsafe equipment
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Set us as preferred A high-ranking former executive with Metrolink claims that he was fired in retaliation for calling attention to unsafe maintenance practices that he blames for at least one collision and two stalled train incidents that left hundreds of passengers stranded in tunnels.In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, Metrolink’s former chief operating officer Donald Filippi claims he was terminated after he repeatedly raised concerns to Chief Executive Darren Kettle over “unsafe rail equipment and materials shortages” in violation of state and federal requirements.Filippi also claims he refused to comply with directives that he believed would put passengers in harm’s way and said that Kettle downplayed risks or dismissed them outright.Metrolink didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
Filippi previously filed a claim against Metrolink operator Southern California Regional Rail Authority over allegations of retaliatory conduct.The authority’s claims administrator rejected it and said the claim was not brought in good faith or with reasonable cause.A veteran transit executive, Filippi worked for Union Pacific Railroad, the California Public Utilities Commission and the North County Transit District in San Diego before being hired at Metrolink in 2018.Filippi said he was terminated in June with no prior warning, and was told at the time that Metrolink had “decided to go in a different direction,” according to the complaint.
He is seeking unspecified compensation for general damages that include emotional distress, reinstatement, back pay and a jury trial.“The clock is ticking and if nobody does something about the current situation, something could happen,” Filippi told The Times.“Someone could get hurt, or worse.”In the lawsuit, he blames Metrolink’s improper c...