NDOT director finalist in hot water back home

Virginia Beach, Va., Public Works Director Jason Cosby will have some explaining to do on Monday when he’s officially interviewed as a finalist for the Nevada Department of Transportation director’s position.

The Virginian-Pilot reports that Cosby, currently on military leave, in 2010 was found to have abused the city’s Fitness Incentive Tracking program after it was determined he "scanned his gym membership card without working out to qualify for the city’s annual $200 fitness benefit." A government auditor recommended that Cosby be fired for displaying behavior that was "inconsistent with our City’s Organizational Values and Code of Ethics."

An NDOT spokesman on Wednesday declined to comment, but confirmed that Cosby remains among five finalists for the job.

Although Cosby was criticized, the newspaper reported, he wasn’t terminated due to his active military status. Cosby returned to active duty shortly before the recommendation to terminate him was made public.

The five finalists vying to replace NDOT Director Susan Martinovich are scheduled to be interviewed by the agency’s board of directors on Monday. The interview process is public and will be streamed live on the NDOT website at nevadadot.com.

The board of directors is made up of Gov. Brian Sandoval, Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, state Controller Kim Wallin, Frank Martin, Len Savage and Tom Fransway.