This story just gets wilder and wilder. To be honest, it is very disappointing. I have kept up with Amtrak over the hears because of an interest in transportation, and it is also clear that Amtrak is a kind of miniature model of anything that might go wrong in government.
One must presume that the revelations we are about to hear are not isolated to Amtrak. Of course, “everybody else does it” is no excuse whatsoever.
In the context of Amtrak’s very limited budget, the amount of alleged mismanaged legal fees is staggering. Republicans will squeal to high heaven. The good news is that this is coming out. Local communities, railroad passengers and ethical employees of Amtrak should not be punished for the misdeeds of others.
Politico has the latest news on a substantial severance package which includes a contract not to disclose certain information. This kind of covenant clearly violates the public interest, and is possibly illegal. I am sure some of you have an idea on that.
Amtrak is technically a private corporation, not an agency of the federal government, and its inspector general is appointed by the chairman of the Amtrak Board of Directors, not the president, as is the case with other inspectors general.
According to the terms of his separation agreement, Weiderhold is expected “not to disparage publicly or privately the company, its employees, services, prospects or products.” Also, it required that he “make no internal or external statement regarding his resignation, whether orally or by electronic or hard-copy written communication (including but not limited to e-mail) without providing the company an opportunity to review the communication in advance.”
My goodness. Amtrak not only paid Fred Weiderhold Jr. a number of cash disbursements, it paid his COBRA for 18 months. Is that legal? I am just thinking out loud now, but a law called “ERISA” comes to mind. I thought you had to treat all employees the same, but I am way out of my area of expertise (and that is not a very long trip).
This is bad news for Boardman, I think. The continued management instability at Amtrak can only destabilize the operation of what ought to be an important part of our national transportation system.
Filed under: Amtrak, Passenger Rail Politics
Trains For America 
you are a moron.
Yes, many severance packages include COBRA coverage payments. Do you have any idea what ERISA says? If not, and few people do, then you shouldn’t discuss what you don’t know.
Fred Weiderhold is a man of the utmost integrity; I know him personally. I am sure he would not accept any payments he was entitled to under the law.
I have “some” familiarity with ERISA and I believe I can say that under some circumstances employers are required to treat all employees the same way.
While you suggest I keep silence I believe the words “but I am way out of my area of expertise (and that is not a very long trip)” exonerate me of all charges. It was a real sincere question.
Furthermore, I do not think the reasonable person would infer any insinuation of wrongdoing against Mr. Weiderhold from my comments. Certainly no such thing was suggested, although I do wonder about Amtrak management.
I do appreciate knowing that employer payments of COBRA benefits to some employees is an accepted practice. Thanks for your expertise.
Pat
Senator Grassley seems to think it was pretty weasely for Fred Weiderhold to have accepted the severance money and he had an obligation not to accept it — particularly if he really thought there were problems at Amtrak. If he has so much integrity, why did he agree not to discuss it. Weasel.