I strongly suspect they will have to retract this story. I am like 90% sure this guy was in the last board meeting sitting behind GM Eng.
Remember though when this reporters sister (our state secretary of transportation) gave a no bid contract to her exbrother in law (the reporter's exhusband)?
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/mbta-consultant-james-brooks-remote-work/

MBTA consultant with no-bid contract paid more than $710,000 to work from South Carolina home
The WBZ I-Team has uncovered a no-bid contract for an MBTA consultant who collected $713,000 in public funds working almost exclusively from his home in South Carolina.