STEVE BENSON

Today's 'toon: Thrown under the bus

Steve Benson
opinion cartoonist
cartoon for May 1, 2016

A recent audit has found more than $315,000 in questionable expenses claimed by Valley Metro staff and ex-Chief Executive Stephen Banta.

And now Banta seeks $1.65 million in damages from the transit agency for wrongful termination and breach of contract.

That means you, the taxpayer, would get the bill — again.

Banta resigned last year amid an Arizona Republic investigation into his spending of public funds at the regional transit agency.

The findings of audit are pretty rich:

  • Two senior staff members for Banta authorized $115,000 in additional pay so Banta could avoid paying taxes on relocation expenses.
  • Banta took at least 50 days off, but did not count it as vacation time.
  • Banta went golfing at least 52 times during the workday. 
  • The former CEO never signed the agency's ethics policy, although he made employees follow it. 

Can you believe this guy?