Fired Metrolink Executive Alleges Unsafe Equipment and Retaliation, Citing Passenger Endangerment
A former chief operating officer for Metrolink, Donald Filippi, has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court claiming he was terminated in retaliation for raising concerns about unsafe maintenance practices. Filippi alleges that Metrolink routinely replaces broken equipment with used parts from other trains, rather than new ones, and fails to address the root causes of failures. He also states that 15 of the rail service's 61 locomotives have not been refurbished since the early 2000s, far exceeding the manufacturer's recommended 15-to 30-year refurbishment cycle. Filippi attributes at least one collision and two incidents of stranded passengers to these practices. He claims that Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle downplayed risks and dismissed his concerns. Metrolink has stated it does not comment on pending litigation. Filippi is seeking unspecified compensation, reinstatement, and back pay.
