Latest news with #Vatel
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
MBTA employees face federal charges of falsifying track inspection reports
Five current and former employees of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority were arrested Thursday on federal charges of falsifying track inspection reports, authorities said. The Justice Department said the MBTA staff filed reports claiming they had inspected tracks on the transit network's Red Line, when in reality, they had skipped the inspection and were inside a T maintenance facility at the time. Several of the employees were also charged with working on private vehicles at the facility during work hours. The employees all worked at the MBTA's Cabot Yard facility in South Boston, where the transit agency placed nearly a dozen employees on administrative leave last fall during an investigation into allegations they worked on non-MBTA vehicles during work hours. Brain Pfaffinger, 47, of Marshfield; Ronald Gamble, 62, of Dorchester; Jensen Vatel, 42, of Brockton; Nathalie Mendes, 53, of New Bedford; and Andy Vicente, 36, of Bridgewater face charges of aiding and abetting the falsification of records and aiding and abetting false statements. They were taken into federal custody Thursday morning and are expected to appear in U.S. District Court in Boston later in the day, according to the office of U.S. Attorney Leah Foley. Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente — former MBTA track inspectors — are accused of falsifying track inspection reports on the Red Line between Sept. 3 and Oct. 15 of last year. During times they claimed to have inspected railroad tracks, the employees were at the Cabot Yard facility, where they had access to a break and coffee room for inspectors, prosecutors said. Gamble, Vatel and Vicente are also accused of working on private vehicles during work time. Pfaffinger, their former supervisor, 'not only knew that his subordinates worked on private vehicles during work hours, but had his subordinates work on his own vehicle,' prosecutors said. MBTA announces commuter rail schedule change to allow major rail replacement MBTA Orange Line floods during nor'easter; shuts down service Foxboro MBTA commuter rail station work rushing to be ready by FIFA games Mass. man struck and killed by Commuter Rail train remembered as 'dear and humble' Berated, spat on, and even stabbed: Can a new bill stop assaults on bus and train drivers? Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Five people arrested for falsifying MBTA track inspection records, US Attorney says
Four former Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority employees and one current MBTA employee were arrested and charged Thursday with allegedly falsifying Red Line track inspection reports. Brian Pfaffinger, 47, of Marshfield; Ronald Gamble, 62, of Dorchester; Jensen Vatel, 42, of Brockton; Nathalie Mendes, 53, of New Bedford; and Andy Vicente, 36, of Bridgewater have been indicted for falsification of records, aiding and abetting; and false statements, aiding and abetting, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said in a statement. Pfaffinger, Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente were arrested Thursday morning and were expected to appear in federal court in Boston later Thursday. Boston 25 has reached out to the MBTA for comment on the arrests. According to the charging documents, Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente were former MBTA track inspectors. Rather than complete inspections, prosecutors said during the period between Sept. 3, 2024 to Oct. 15, 2024, Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente allegedly falsified track inspection reports, which stated that they completed track inspections for Red Line tracks when they did not perform the inspections. Prosecutors allege that instead, at the time of the inspections, Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente were inside Cabot Yard, an MBTA location that contained a coffee and breakroom for Red Line inspection employees. Cabot Yard also contained a large garage where Gamble, Vatel and Vicente allegedly worked on private vehicles during work hours, prosecutors said. On Sept. 19, 2024, during the time that Vicente allegedly performed a track inspection, video surveillance depicted Vicente (circled in red below) sitting inside of Cabot Garage holding his cellular phone, prosecutors said. On Sept. 23, 2024, during the time that Mendes allegedly performed a track inspection, video surveillance depicted Mendes (circled in red below) sitting inside her vehicle. Mendes allegedly did not leave her vehicle until well after her inspection ended. On Sept. 24, 2024, during the time that Vatel allegedly performed a track inspection, video surveillance depicted Vatel (circled in red below) chatting with other MBTA employees in the parking lot outside of Cabot Garage. On Oct. 8, 2024, during the time that Gamble allegedly performed a track inspection, video surveillance depicted Gamble (circled in red below) performing detail work on a private vehicle inside of Cabot Garage. Pfaffinger, the former supervisor for Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente, allegedly not only knew that his subordinates worked on private vehicles during work hours, but had his subordinates work on his own vehicle, prosecutors allege. On Oct. 14, 2024, Gamble created an inspection report alleging he conducted an inspection, but surveillance video showed that Gamble was inside of Cabot Garage with Pfaffinger, prosecutors said. Despite knowing that the inspection report was false, and that Gamble was at Cabot Garage on Oct. 14, 2024, the following day, Pfaffinger allegedly created supporting documentation for Gamble's Oct. 14, 2024, inspection, which he knew to be false, prosecutors said. If convicted of the charge of falsification of records and aiding and abetting the falsification of records, Pfaffinger, Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente face a sentence of up to 20 years in prison to be followed by up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. If convicted of the charge of false statements and aiding and abetting false statements, Pfaffinger, Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente face a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Thursday's arrests came one day after former Norfolk County Sheriff's Deputy Superintendent Thomas Brady was arrested and charged with extortion. Brady, 53, of Norwood, is accused of forcing his subordinates to perform free labor at his house during their public work shifts, Foley said Wednesday. He has been indicted by a federal grand jury on four counts of extortion and three counts of use of interstate facilities to commit bribery and extortion. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Zawya
06-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Vatel Bahrain and The Westin and Le Méridien City Centre Bahrain sign MoU to offer premier hands-on hospitality training
Vatel Bahrain has entered into a landmark MoU with The Westin City Centre Bahrain and Le Méridien City Centre Bahrain, two esteemed properties within the Marriott International portfolio, marking a significant step towards advancing practical training and academic collaboration in the hospitality sector. This collaboration aims to provide Vatel Bahrain students with premier training opportunities in world-class hospitality settings, enabling them to develop their skills across the fields of tourism, hospitality, and luxury hotel management within a professional and globally recognised environment. Through this partnership, students will gain access to unparalleled practical experiences within two of the Kingdom of Bahrain's most prestigious hospitality venues. These immersive training opportunities are tailored to equip students with the highest standards of professional skills, thereby significantly enhancing their employability and preparing them for successful careers in leading international hotel establishments upon graduation. Sheikh Khaled bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, General Director of Vatel Bahrain, underscored the significance of the collaboration, noting that it represents a continuation of the Vatel Bahrain's enduring commitment to bridging academic theory with practical application, and stated, "This initiative represents a pivotal step in cultivating a new generation of highly skilled professionals equipped to meet the dynamic demands of Bahrain's growing hospitality sector. By immersing students in the latest international standards and best practices in hotel management and luxury hospitality services, the programme will significantly enhance their practical expertise, ensuring they are well-prepared to embark on their professional journeys with confidence and competence." Mr. Paul Dunphy, the Complex General Manager of both The Westin City Centre Bahrain and Le Méridien City Centre Bahrain, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, and said, "We are pleased to collaborate with Vatel Bahrain to offer students the opportunity to train within our state-of-the-art facilities, which uphold the highest standards of the global hospitality industry. Through this initiative, students will gain firsthand insight into international hotel operations, complementing their academic knowledge and enhancing their career prospects. We are proud to contribute to the development of Bahraini talents and to support the future leaders of the tourism and hospitality sectors.' About Vatel Hospitality School: Vatel Hospitality School was established in France in 1981, specializing in business management within the hospitality and tourism sectors. It has since expanded to 55 campuses across 33 countries. The Bahrain campus, founded in 2018, is part of this global network. Vatel holds a distinguished international reputation, with over 45,000 graduates worldwide who have gone on to become leaders in the industry. Vatel has consistently been ranked first in France and 13th globally in hospitality management, according to the latest QS rankings, maintaining this position for three consecutive years.
Zawya
04-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
VATEL Bahrain at the NCST University Expo
Bahrain: Vatel Bahrain participated in the annual University Fair organised by Nasser Centre for Science & Technology University Expo 2025, alongside a distinguished group of higher education institutions from across the Kingdom of Bahrain. The event aims to familiarise high school students with a diverse range of academic disciplines and broaden their understanding of future career opportunities. It serves as a platform to connect students with leading higher education institutions, guiding them towards informed academic and professional choices. Throughout the event, Vatel Bahrain team showcased the bachelor's programme in International Hotel Management, emphasising its unique academic approach. The programme integrates rigorous theoretical instruction with a strong focus on practical application, offering students valuable internship opportunities at leading international hotels both locally in Bahrain and abroad, including France and other international destinations. Furthermore, Vatel Bahrain introduced visitors to its innovative educational framework in tourism, hospitality, and hotel management, while reaffirming its strategic commitment to preparing highly skilled professionals equipped to navigate the dynamic demands of the global labour market. Sheikh Khaled bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, General Director of Vatel Bahrain, stated that the expo served as an exceptional platform for engaging directly with students and their families, and provided an invaluable opportunity to answer their inquiries, guide students in choosing programmes befitting to their capabilities and interests, and raise awareness about the dynamic and promising career prospects available in the hospitality industry, which Vatel Bahrain facilitates through an integrated system of academic and practical training. Sheikh Khaled further added, "Vatel Bahrain's stand garnered substantial interest from students aspiring to pursue careers in tourism, hospitality, and hotel management. This strong engagement reflects the college's ongoing efforts to attract motivated and talented individuals, thereby contributing to the consolidation of Bahrain's reputation as a leading regional hub for hospitality education. Such initiatives are instrumental in cultivating a new generation of skilled professionals, fully equipped to respond to the complexities and evolving demands of the global labour market." For more information, please contact: Zainab Ashoor | Marketing & Communications Specialist Al Jasra, Kingdom of Bahrain About Vatel Hospitality School: Vatel Hospitality School was established in France in 1981, specializing in business management within the hospitality and tourism sectors. It has since expanded to 55 campuses across 33 countries. The Bahrain campus, founded in 2018, is part of this global network. Vatel holds a distinguished international reputation, with over 45,000 graduates worldwide who have gone on to become leaders in the industry. Vatel has consistently been ranked first in France and 13th globally in hospitality management, according to the latest QS rankings, maintaining this position for three consecutive years.
Daily Tribune
23-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
74% of tour guides are Bahraini, ‘all licensed'
Tourism Minister, Her Excellency Fatima Al Sairafi, told Parliament yesterday that 74 per cent of tour guides in Bahrain are citizens, all licensed and certified by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA). She was speaking in response to remarks from MP Mohammed Janahi, who raised several concerns during the session. In reply, Al Sairafi defended the ministry's performance and said Bahrainis remain at the heart of the government's tourism plans. 'There are several points raised by the MP,' she said. 'Unfortunately, some of them are not accurate.' She said Vatel College of Hospitality is an accredited institution in Bahrain and that its students are employed while still studying. 'Sixty-two per cent of Vatel graduates are Bahrainis,' she told MPs. 'They are working in the hotel and hospitality sector in the Kingdom, which in itself shows the importance of this sector and the value the ministry and the authority place on bringing Bahrainis into it.' The Minister added that this approach falls under the tourism strategy launched in 2022. Al Sairafi said she welcomed the MP's call to make better use of the college and confirmed a new qualification is in the pipeline. Feasibility study 'At the moment, Vatel offers a bachelor's degree,' she said. 'We are working to introduce a master's degree soon. I would also like to support the MP's suggestion that the college offer short-term development courses. That is already under way. We are preparing a feasibility study with those involved in the tourism sector, inside and outside Bahrain.' Turning to training, she said the system for guides had been changed. 'There may have been training in 2015,' she said. 'But in 2023, we changed the whole training structure and worked with the UN World Tourism Organisation to ensure a full and proper programme for tour guides. This was a joint effort between the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority and the government bodies involved.' Oversight She also addressed the issue of oversight. 'The MP mentioned regulation, which is important,' she said. 'In 2023, the licensing and inspection directorates were separated. We are now preparing a new decision that will contain clear regulatory tools to stop these kinds of practices.' Al Sairafi noted that this policy shift has already produced results. 'The rise in the number of Bahrainis working as tour guides is clear,' she said. MP Janahi had referred to Decision No. (3) of 2005 on the regulation of tour guiding. Al Sairafi acknowledged that it states Bahrainis have priority, but she pointed out that Article 7 of the same decision allows for exceptions. 'The authority is allowed to grant licences to non-Bahrainis in certain cases,' she said, 'for example, to provide services in languages that Bahrainis may not speak. In the 2022 strategy, we targeted several tourist markets, including many countries in Europe.'
