SSA fires three parking lot attendants for theft

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— File photo by Tim Johnson

The Steamship Authority (SSA) fired three employees this month for theft, in connection with the skimming of parking lot receipts from the Palmer Avenue lot in Falmouth. State Police are investigating and criminal charges may be sought against the trio in the future.

Wayne Lamson, SSA general manager, confirmed the details of a story that first appeared in the Cape Cod Times Sunday.

Mr. Lamson said that information provided to the boatline led to an internal investigation of three parking lot attendants suspected of stealing money. The investigation confirmed the thefts, and the SSA fired the employees, Mr. Lamson told The Times in a telephone conversation Wednesday.

Mr. Lamson said the employees had worked for the boatline for 15, five, and two years respectively. He said the results of the State Police investigation would be given to the office of the Cape and Islands District Attorney for possible criminal prosecution.

Mr. Lamson said one employee admitted to taking approximately $2,000 over the course of the past year. He said the SSA is still working to determine the entire amount.

“All of this took place at the Palmer Avenue lot,” he said. “We looked at other lots and we did not see the same type of a pattern that we were able to detect at Palmer.”

Mr. Lamson said he could not provide specifics of the scheme because it remains under investigation, but he said that more steps have been taken to strengthen procedures.

“We have zero tolerance for this kind of thing,” Mr. Lamson said. He said the employees are members of the Teamsters Union.

The union accepted the dismissals. “If you are stealing, you are out,” he said. “They are not going to back anyone like that.”