Watch CBS News

Highway Supervisor Helmut Ernst Fired For Remarks

BOSTON (AP) -- The state's transportation secretary says a highway supervisor has been fired following an investigation into remarks he made after a 110-pound corroded Big Dig light fixture collapsed earlier this year.

Secretary Jeffrey Mullan said Tuesday at a news conference that district highway supervisor Helmut Ernst no longer works for the agency.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports

Podcast

Ernst told The Boston Globe in a recent interview that he and other engineers "have been trained not to" put safety concerns into writing, citing litigation that arose from the death of a motorist after a Big Dig ceiling panel collapsed in 2006.

Mullan had announced an investigation following the publication of Ernst's comments.

Ernst, whose district included Boston and the surrounding area, had been on paid leave.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.