Lowell City Employee Accused Of 'Double Dipping'

LOWELL (CBS) – A city employee is accused of taking vacation pay from one department and collecting overtime from another at the same time.

City Councilor Rodney Elliott made the allegation at Tuesday night's council meeting, but didn't name the worker.

WBZ NewsRadio's Mark Katic reports

The Lowell Sun identified him as Shannon Cohan, the head collection-systems operator for the Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility.

He allegedly took a paid vacation and then plowed roads for the city's public works department – and put in for overtime.

Elliott told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 the so-called "double-dipping" happened during three different pay periods.

"Systems had been put in place recently to prevent something of this nature. It's a huge issue. I don't believe it's a pervasive issue. Nevertheless, the city council will have to address it and get some answers," he said.

Elliot is waiting to hear from the city's auditor before taking any action.