Metro News Release

For immediate release: March 14, 2012

Metro OIG announces conviction of employee charged with theft

Metro’s Office of Inspector General announced today that Alfred Atanga, 50, of Bowie, Maryland was found guilty yesterday by a jury in Prince George’s County Circuit Court of two counts of felony theft.

Last year, the Office of Inspector General and Metro Transit Police began a joint investigation looking into allegations that Atanga, a former supervisor at Metro, provided three now-former employees with overtime pay for hours not worked. All four employees were arrested by Metro Transit Police and charged with theft and conspiracy to commit theft.

“Today we are sending a strong message that this kind of activity will not be tolerated at Metro,” said Inspector General Helen Lew.

“This case is an excellent example of outstanding cooperation, both internal to WMATA and with our jurisdictional law enforcement partners,” said Metro Transit Police Chief Michael Taborn.

Atanga faces up to 30 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for June 2012.

The case was prosecuted by the Office of the State's Attorney for Prince George's County.

News release issued at 4:26 pm, March 14, 2012.