MBTA Safety Director Suspended

The MBTA's director of safety was suspended on Thursday, according to a state transportation official familiar with the matter.

The official requested anonymity because the case is under investigation, and the official is not authorized to speak about ongoing personnel matters.

MBTA Safety Director Cynthia Gallo was suspended with pay. The official said the suspension was not related to recent safety reviews from the National Transportation Safety Board or a report commissioned by Gov. Deval Patrick that was critical of the MBTA's capacity to fund dozens of needed safety projects.

The suspension was due to a "misrepresentation regarding an employment matter," the official said.

Gallo was hired by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in 1987 and became its director of safety in 1996. Her suspension continues pending the outcome of an internal investigation.