The Detroit Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report on September 11 that identified a significant misuse of city resources by the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT). According to the investigation, DDOT supervisor DeMarcus Garrett authorized $40,157 in overtime pay to have city vehicles drive a dispatcher between the employee’s home in Clinton Township and the workplace in Detroit for an entire year.
How the overtime scheme unfolded
In October 2024 a DDOT dispatcher submitted a doctor’s note stating they could not drive. Rather than arrange a standard accommodation, DDOT leadership decided to have other staff members transport the dispatcher using city‑owned vehicles. Garrett, who heads DDOT’s paratransit division, instructed four paratransit driver trainers that they would receive overtime pay if they agreed to make the trips outside their regular schedules. Two trainers declined; the remaining two accepted the assignment.
From November 2024 through November 2025 the two trainers logged 1,112 overtime hours, which the OIG calculated to total $40,157. The overtime was approved by Garrett, who later claimed the arrangement had been approved by former DDOT leadership and the city’s human‑resources department as a medical accommodation.
Risks and additional costs
The OIG highlighted that the practice exposed the city to unnecessary liability. One trainer was involved in a traffic accident while driving the dispatcher in Clinton Township, forcing the employee onto leave for several months and creating potential repair and legal costs for the city. The report warned that such accidents divert city resources, increase repair bills, and reduce department productivity as managers must handle paperwork and staffing gaps.
OIG conclusions and recommendations
While the OIG did not find evidence of fraud or abuse of power, it described the situation as “poor professional judgment” and a clear waste of taxpayer dollars, employee time, and city‑owned vehicles. The oversight office recommended several corrective actions:
- Require employees seeking long‑term accommodations to submit requests through the city’s designated FMLA vendor.
- Provide training for supervisors on balancing employee needs with fiscal responsibility.
- Review and tighten overtime‑approval policies to prevent similar waste in the future.
DDOT’s response
DDOT Executive Director Robert Cramer said the department has received the OIG report and is reviewing its findings. “We will be responding to the OIG in writing within the 30 days it requires, but based on our initial review, the recommendations made by the OIG appear to be reasonable,” Cramer stated.
Garrett remains employed at DDOT, and the OIG was unable to verify allegations that he used his authority for personal favor or retaliated against staff who refused to transport the dispatcher. The report also noted that the decision to provide the transportation was discussed with former DDOT director Michael Staley and DDOT manager Jennifer Kaczmarek, who both approved the arrangement.
Why accountability matters
For Detroit taxpayers, ensuring that city departments operate efficiently and responsibly is essential. The OIG’s findings underscore the importance of clear policies that protect both employees’ legitimate medical needs and the public’s hard‑earned dollars. By implementing the recommended training and policy reviews, DDOT can better safeguard city resources while still providing essential paratransit services to residents who depend on them.
Local officials and community members alike will be watching how DDOT implements these changes, hoping that future oversight will prevent similar waste and keep Detroit’s transportation system focused on its core mission.
Original reporting: BridgeDetroit — read the source article.
