A top MTA procurement officer assigned to Metro-North has been fired after an investigation found an improper relationship with a sales agent at a firm awarded millions in purchases.

The report from the MTA inspector general said the investigation began in May 2024. The officer used an MTA-issued phone to exchange hundreds of text messages and have late-night calls with the sales agent.

During their relationship, the vendor saw a significant increase in awarded bids, including scrub brushes priced nearly 10 times higher than before and tow vehicles costing $40,000 more than a competitor’s bid.

The officer never disclosed the relationship or recused himself from transactions involving the firm.

The railroad said it will address internal control weaknesses that allowed the misconduct.