Conrail Stops Paying Lawyer for Engineer

Conrail stopped paying for a lawyer for Richard Gates, an engineer involved in last month’s Amtrak crash that killed 16 people, after tests showed he had used marijuana, Gates’ former attorney said Tuesday.

Stephen R. Tully, who had been Gates’ private attorney, confirmed that Conrail cut off payment of attorney’s fees about two weeks ago. A Conrail attorney told Tully the reason was Gates’ positive test for marijuana, Tully said.

“They no longer feel obligated,” Tully said, adding that if Gates needs a lawyer he might have to go to the Baltimore County public defender’s office.

Gates was not immediately available for comment. Conrail officials refused to comment.

Test Results

The Federal Railroad Administration said last month that evidence of marijuana was found in urine and blood samples taken from Gates and brakeman Edward Cromwell hours after three Conrail freight locomotives and an Amtrak passenger train collided on Jan. 4 near Chase.

The Baltimore County state’s attorney’s office is investigating the crash to determine whether manslaughter charges should be filed.