This sneakerhead is headed for the unemployment line.
An MTA techie was fired for running a sneaker business on the job, using an agency car to transport shoes – and bookmarking 350 porn sites on his work computer, officials said.
A special investigation found Metropolitan Transportation Authority computer support analyst Marcus Wilson also had several other side gigs, including working for a package delivery company, a snow removal company and as an airline baggage handler, according to findings of the probe released Thursday.
“This employee brazenly used MTA resources for his sneaker business and worked multiple outside jobs without permission — thanks in part to a woeful lack of supervision,” said MTA Inspector General Daniel G. Cort, who conducted the investigation.
“His manipulation of the timekeeping system and breach of trust cost him his job and put his supervisor on notice – demonstrating that this type of misconduct and failure to supervise can have serious consequences.”
The names of the alleged wrongdoer and his supervisor were provided to The Post via a Freedom of Information Law request and not included in the initial findings.
The MTA hired Wilson in June 2017, and he served as a troubleshooter who traveled to different stations to handle tech glitches that affect customer services including with computer hardware and software. He also was assigned to Jamaica Central Control Computer Support when serving as a computer analyst.
His position required him to work in the field and he operated an MTA pool vehicle traveling to various locations in Nassau County, Queens, and Brooklyn.
On 113 dates between October 2021 and February 2024, Wilson either worked at his non-MTA job during his MTA work hours or modified his scheduled MTA hours without prior permission to accommodate his outside employment, the report said.
A review of Wilson’s timekeeping records allegedly showed he did not regularly clock in and out.
Among the findings in the report:
- His supervisor said the employee brought boxes of sneakers into the office and kept them in his cubicle, and alleged he sold some kicks to other workers..
- Wilson accessed eBay, PayPal and various sneaker-related websites on his MTA work computer on 44 dates — including when he visited links for a $135 pair of Air Jordan strawberry and cream-colored women’s sneakers.
- There were more than 300 non-MTA-related emails in his MTA email account pertaining to his outside work, including sneaker purchase orders and banking information.
- Wilson admitted to bringing the MTA car to his home, in violation of agency rules.
Richard Aebly, his manager, told investigators he advised Wilson that peddling sneakers in the office was “impermissible,” and he stopped the scheme, the report said.
Aebly was docked “two general wage increases” and denied teleworking privileges and promotional opportunities for 24 months, according to the IG. Reached by phone Thursday, he said he wasn’t allowed to discuss the probe.
In addition to his various side hustles, Wilson allegedly synced his personal Google account to the Google Chrome application on his MTA computer, including bookmarks to more than 350 pornographic websites, the findings stated.
The IG report concluded that Wilson failed to cooperate with the investigation by refusing to answer questions, or provided “untruthful and contradictory information.”
The MTA said it acted swiftly when hearing of the multiple violations of MTA rules and state law.
“Abuse of time and taxpayer funded resources or engaging in any outside activity that interferes with employees’ duties violates the MTA’s Code of Ethics and betrays the public’s trust,” MTA spokesperson Meghan Keegan said. “The behavior described in this report is offensive and will not be tolerated.
“That employee has since been terminated and their manager has been disciplined.”
Wilson was not immediately available for comment.
