Senior Detroit Department of Transportation officials have been found to have abused their authority by shielding employees who disrupted bus service due to a "romantic interaction" between two staff members. The investigation, conducted by the Detroit Office of Inspector General (OIG), revealed that Senior Transportation Service Inspector Andre Reece and bus driver Dayna Ruff had engaged in an inappropriate intimate relationship, resulting in a 115-minute disruption of services.
The misconduct, which included falsely reporting mechanical problems and abandoning a running bus, was classified as a Class IV offense under the department's disciplinary system. However, Superintendent of Operations Howard Bragg III issued only five-day suspensions to both employees, despite the availability of surveillance video that documented their actions.
What's more troubling is that Bragg failed to conduct a proper investigation before issuing discipline, and no evidence suggests that either employee requested a hearing or that any mitigating circumstances were formally considered. This lack of accountability has serious consequences for riders who rely on DDOT buses to get to work, school, medical appointments, and childcare.
The OIG report also revealed broader systemic problems within the department, including failures in disciplinary practices employed by the Operations Management Team. The investigators concluded that these practices are not compliant or consistent with the disciplinary policies mandated by the 2008 Detroit Department of Transportation Employee Handbook.
In a striking display of bureaucratic dysfunction, Assistant Director of Operations Andre Mallett was accused of abusing his authority by allowing lenient discipline to stand even after learning that additional video evidence substantiated the complaint. The OIG recommended significant reforms to ensure future investigations are thorough, transparent, and consistent with written policy.
The fallout from this scandal is particularly egregious in a city like Detroit, where roughly one-third of residents do not have access to a car and rely heavily on DDOT buses to get around. Service disruptions of more than an hour can have far-reaching consequences for these riders, who already face chronic delays.
In response to the OIG's draft report, Bragg and Mallett argued that human resources officials advised that discharge was not warranted and that re-issuing discipline would violate procedural fairness. However, the OIG rejected these claims, finding that required video evidence was available at the time and that the handbook's mandatory penalties were ignored without justification.
Ultimately, the report concludes that DDOT should create a system of procedures to allow more oversight over the review and issuing of discipline, ensuring that discipline is proportionate to the offense and all policies are followed.
The misconduct, which included falsely reporting mechanical problems and abandoning a running bus, was classified as a Class IV offense under the department's disciplinary system. However, Superintendent of Operations Howard Bragg III issued only five-day suspensions to both employees, despite the availability of surveillance video that documented their actions.
What's more troubling is that Bragg failed to conduct a proper investigation before issuing discipline, and no evidence suggests that either employee requested a hearing or that any mitigating circumstances were formally considered. This lack of accountability has serious consequences for riders who rely on DDOT buses to get to work, school, medical appointments, and childcare.
The OIG report also revealed broader systemic problems within the department, including failures in disciplinary practices employed by the Operations Management Team. The investigators concluded that these practices are not compliant or consistent with the disciplinary policies mandated by the 2008 Detroit Department of Transportation Employee Handbook.
In a striking display of bureaucratic dysfunction, Assistant Director of Operations Andre Mallett was accused of abusing his authority by allowing lenient discipline to stand even after learning that additional video evidence substantiated the complaint. The OIG recommended significant reforms to ensure future investigations are thorough, transparent, and consistent with written policy.
The fallout from this scandal is particularly egregious in a city like Detroit, where roughly one-third of residents do not have access to a car and rely heavily on DDOT buses to get around. Service disruptions of more than an hour can have far-reaching consequences for these riders, who already face chronic delays.
In response to the OIG's draft report, Bragg and Mallett argued that human resources officials advised that discharge was not warranted and that re-issuing discipline would violate procedural fairness. However, the OIG rejected these claims, finding that required video evidence was available at the time and that the handbook's mandatory penalties were ignored without justification.
Ultimately, the report concludes that DDOT should create a system of procedures to allow more oversight over the review and issuing of discipline, ensuring that discipline is proportionate to the offense and all policies are followed.
I mean, come on... this is just ridiculous. So two employees get cozy with each other and they disrupt bus service for like 2 hours? That's a huge deal! And what do we get? A slap on the wrist for both of them. Like, 5 days off and they're good to go. 
And the fact that no one even bothered to hold a hearing or consider any mitigating circumstances is just laughable. I mean, who does that?
. And now we find out that it was just a romantic fling between two staff members... who gets to be the office hero, huh? 
Anyway, I'm glad someone's finally investigating these issues, and I hope they get some actual reforms done instead of just covering their butts 
. It's not like riders' lives depend on it or anything (just kidding, it kinda does) 
. It's wild that they thought HR told them discharge was off the table and re-issue discipline would be unfair... maybe they should've actually read the handbook instead of relying on someone else's opinion 
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This whole scandal is a big deal 
, especially with how many people in Detroit rely on those buses to get around. The fact that Senior Transportation Service Inspector Andre Reece and bus driver Dayna Ruff got off with just 5-day suspensions while disrupting services for over an hour is just crazy 
. It's not like they were the first ones to have a romantic tryst at work or something, but it's still unacceptable.
. It just goes to show that power can be abused in any department, even when it comes to enforcing rules.
. The OIG report highlights some serious problems with disciplinary practices and lack of accountability, which ultimately affects the people who rely on those buses 
. We need real change now, not just token reforms or whitewashing 
The fact that they were able to get away with it for so long is just appalling. And now, we're supposed to trust that they'll be more transparent and accountable in the future? I don't think so.
. I use DDOT buses like every day to get around town and it's always a stress when they're delayed. And to think these two employees were basically getting away with whatever they wanted just because of some personal drama 
. And now we're gonna have to deal with the fallout because of this lack of accountability 
. We need to make sure our leaders are doing what's right, not just covering their own backsides 
This whole thing with the Detroit Department of Transportation officials is just a big mess 
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. And now we've got Assistant Director Mallett trying to pull some fast one and allowing lenient discipline to stand because HR said so 
? Come on, dude!
can't believe senior officials get away with this kinda thing! 115 minute bus disruption? what if ppl rely on those buses for work or school? 
it's not just about 2 ppl having a romantic fling, it's about accountability and fairness to the rest of us. why did superintendant bragg III just slap them with 5 day suspensions without even investigating properly?? 
what needs to change here is those systemic problems that led to this mess in the first place...ddot needs a shake up, stat! 
This Detroit bus scandal got me shook. Like, who do these people think they are? Disrupting service for a 2-minute romp with their coworker... meanwhile, riders have to deal with long delays and chronic frustration because of it. The fact that they were only suspended for FIVE DAYS is just laughable. What's even more disturbing is the lack of accountability from those in charge. I mean, come on, if you're gonna do something shady, at least have the decency to follow protocol. This whole thing reeks of bureaucratic laziness and a complete disregard for the people who rely on DDOT buses to get around. It's just another example of how things can fall apart when bad people are left in charge 
i mean seriously though, 115 minutes is a looong time for someone to be stuck in traffic just 'cause some coworkers were being a bit too friendly 
It's not just about the disruption to services, it's about the lack of accountability and transparency in the department. I'm all for showing leniency to employees who make mistakes, but this is a whole different story 
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. The fact that Bragg and Mallett just let this slide is a huge deal – it's like, how can we trust them to do their job when they're so clearly not taking accountability seriously 
this is just getting outta hand... like whats the point of having an inspector general if they cant even get some basic investigations done?? 5-day suspensions for a 115-minute bus disruption? its like, come on! what about the people who use these buses every day and rely on them to get to work or school or whatever? all this is just more proof that the powers that be dont care about the little guys 
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