Transportation Agency Chief Resigns

Published: Sep 6, 2007

TAMPA - Greg Cox, the executive director of the Public Transportation Commission, resigned Wednesday amid allegations of financial mismanagement and poorly treating some people who petitioned for permits.

Cox will receive a $25,000 severance package. The board voted 6-1 to accept Cox's voluntary resignation, effective Wednesday. Commissioner Ken Hagan cast the dissenting vote, arguing that Cox should received a six-month severance package rather than three months' pay because others who have left the county got more generous deals.

Cox led the agency that regulates "for-hire" vehicles and their operators in Hillsborough County. He made about $102,000 a year and has led the commission since 1999.

Last month, the commission suspended Cox for 30 days with pay after a complaint from Ndidi Osuji, who said he was harassed by PTC inspectors. He also said Cox called the owners of companies he hoped to drive for and told them not to hire him.

Internal performance auditor James Barnes criticized the agency for having about $715,000 in its contingency fund. He also wrote that business plans were neither created nor implemented.

An outside counsel looking at other issues at the agency talked to commissioners individually in the past week about her findings.

No written report was published for the public.

Cox could not be reached Wednesday. His attorney, Ryan Barack, said Cox chose not to try to keep his job because "he wanted to pursue other employment opportunities with the goal of improving the quality of life for him and his family."

Ellen Gedalius