An unnamed senior manager of the LTA has been suspended pending investigation by FICAC.

This was confirmed to FBC News by LTA Board Chair Vijay Maharaj.
Maharaj says an internal audit conducted by the Land Transport Authority earlier this year revealed around twenty-two audit reports which had discrepancies.

He says one of the biggest discrepancy alleged was the unnamed senior manager over-paying his own wages by more than one hundred thousand dollars.

“One of those involved was the payment of wages of $135,323 over a period of time which wasn’t authorised. The second was $81,712.43 was paid out without going through the tender process.”

Maharaj says the matter will be forwarded to FICAC.

Meanwhile, he added that the twenty-two audit reports with discrepancies had been forwarded to former LTA CEO Carmine Piantedosi for action, however, he failed to do so.

“We wanted this LTA person to carry out the good work we have done. We have around 22 audit reports and there were a number of areas that we needed him to take action on to bring up that standard but out of that 22 audit reports, none of them were actioned. Now that’s not a good reflection and that’s not something we employed him for.”

The board has also denied claims that Piantedosi was coerced into resigning.

“The board had collectively raised certain issues with him and there were certain areas of his performance that wasn’t up to the expectations of the board.”

Paintedosi’s six month contract ended two weeks ago, before he resigned from his post last week.

Meanwhile, the board says they expect to appoint a new Chief executive in the next three to four months.