MTA HR staffer is being investigated for allegedly taking bribes in exchange for entry-level jobs

Jared Mccallister, Barry Paddock AND Pete Donohue New York Daily News 02/24/2011 17:36

Ronica Gonesh, an MTA employee, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes for jobs.

An MTA Human Resources staffer is under investigation for taking cash payments from job hunters in a pay-to-work scheme, the Daily News has learned. Ronica Ganesh, 28, is suspected of promising applicants she could snag them entry-level subway mechanic positions for at least $1,000, sources said.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority inspector general's office and Manhattan prosecutors are also probing whether Ganesh fudged applicants' test scores for an additional $500, sources said.

"It's a whole can of worms," said a former transit worker who spoke to investigators.

Ganesh, who was suspended without pay Thursday, denied any wrongdoing.

"These are false allegations," she said through the door of her South Ozone Park home.

Asked how she came under suspicion, she said, "There was somebody who was harassing me." She would not elaborate.

A subway car inspector, Jerry Zachariah, also is a target of the investigation, sources said, though his involvement wasn't clear. He couldn't be reached for comment.

The MTA stressed that it cooperated with the probe.

"We worked closely with the MTA Inspector General's Office over the course of this investigation and it can't be stated strongly enough that this type of activity will not be tolerated," said MTA spokesman Charles Seaton.

It's not clear if Ganesh had the ability to get unqualified applicants hired or could bump applicants ahead of others. It's also not known how many workers she may have improperly assisted.

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