A former Long Island Rail Road engineer has pleaded guilty to official misconduct after admitting he allowed a passenger to operate a train.
Ronald Cabrera entered the guilty plea Tuesday in Nassau County Court. He was fined $500 and ordered to perform 50 hours of community service.
The LIRR said in a statement that it fired Cabrera after learning of the allegations.
Cabrera admitted allowing passenger William Kutsch drive a train carrying nearly 400 riders during rush hour in July 2009. The train at times traveled at speeds of up to 80 mph.
A message left with Cabrera's lawyer was not immediately returned. Kutsch faces a reckless endangerment charge and is due in court Oct. 26.
Copyright AP - Associated Press