NEW YORK — The MTA is suing a homeless man for $44,179 in damages for allegedly smashing 11 subway fare readers over the course of three weeks last summer.
Brian Baska is already facing criminal charges of felony criminal mischief and destruction of property for the alleged vandalism, according to court documents obtained by the New York Daily News.
The MTA accused Baska of smashing new tap-to-pay OMNY fare readers at Brooklyn’s Borough Hall station and the nearby Court Street station.
Given Baska’s homeless status, he likely could not pay $44,000 even if he is found liable.
The MTA said it refuses to comment on pending litigation.
The suit comes amid a city-wide crackdown on homeless people living in subway stations.
Outreach workers embarked on a new initiative on Feb. 22 to move homeless people out of subways.
The taskforce succeeded in moving 22 people during the first week of the program, but police booted 455 people onto the street and arrested another 143 during the same period of time.
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