Former LIRR worker accused of falsifying inspection reports, causing 2019 derailment

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Thursday, March 18, 2021
Former LIRR worker accused of falsifying inspection reports, causing 2019 derailment
A former LIRR worker was arraigned in federal court on Thursday, accused of falsifying inspection reports and causing a derailment.

SPEONK, Long Island (WABC) -- A former Long Island Rail Road worker was arraigned in federal court on Thursday, accused of falsifying inspection reports and causing a derailment.



Authorities say Stuart Conklin, 63, claimed to have walked the LIRR tracks and tested electrical connections, but video evidence shows otherwise.





Officials say, as a result, he failed to find a broken track circuit that was later cited as a factor in a train derailment in 2019. Two cars of a 10-car train derailed on the broken track.



About 30 passengers were evacuated, but there were no injuries.



Conklin's attorney, Anthony LaPinta called his client a 'hardworking and loyal LIRR employee,' whose conduct wasn't criminal.



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