Metro-North Employee Stole Over $200K Using Tupperware

The longtime cashier concealed cash in his lunch containers to carry it out of the office.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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A 61-year-old Metro-North employee named Tom Shabani has pleaded guilty to stealing over $206,000 from his workplace over the course of a year. Prosecutors say Shabani would bring Tupperware-style containers to work, disguising them as his lunch, and fill them with stacks of cash from the counting room before walking out the door unnoticed.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of public sector corruption and theft of taxpayer funds, even through seemingly simple methods. The Metro-North theft raises questions about security protocols and oversight at public agencies that handle large sums of cash.

The details

According to investigators, Shabani worked as a cashier at Metro-North's office in White Plains between 2024 and 2025. During that time, he repeatedly entered a counting room where cash was being handled and began placing stacks of bills into Tupperware containers that he brought from home, concealing the theft. Authorities discovered some of the stolen money and hundreds of dollars worth of lottery tickets in Shabani's vehicle during a search.

  • Shabani worked as a Metro-North cashier between 2024 and 2025.
  • Shabani pleaded guilty to the felony charge on November 24, 2026.
  • This week, a Westchester County judge sentenced Shabani to three years of probation.

The players

Tom Shabani

A 61-year-old former Metro-North employee who pleaded guilty to stealing over $206,000 from his workplace over the course of a year by concealing cash in Tupperware containers.

Susan Cacace

The Westchester County District Attorney who announced Shabani's sentencing and said the case sends a clear message that public corruption will not be tolerated.

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What they’re saying

“This case highlights the ongoing issue of public sector corruption and theft of taxpayer funds, even through seemingly simple methods.”

— Susan Cacace, Westchester County District Attorney

What’s next

Shabani must repay the full $206,000 to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and forfeit 25% of his pension as part of the plea agreement.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the need for robust financial controls and oversight at public agencies that handle large sums of cash, as even simple methods can be used to facilitate theft of taxpayer funds over an extended period of time.