BOSTON -- The director of safety for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has been suspended, Team 5 Investigates has learned.

A state transportation source said that Cindy Gallo's suspension was the result of "misrepresentation regarding an employment matter."

MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said "it is MBTA practice not to discuss personnel matters in the media."

The MBTA's safety operations were strongly criticized in an independent top to bottom review of the agency last month.

The review, which was ordered by Gov. Deval Patrick, found that a sea of red ink has prevented the MBTA from making necessary repairs to its infrastructure and providing crucial maintenance to its aging fleet.

"(The) report was sobering. My top concern is always the safety of the people who rely on the T," Acting MBTA General Manager William Mitchell said in a Nov. 4 statement reacting to the report.

Mitchell also said he sent crews to immediately inspect areas identified in the report and would "continue to monitor the safety of the system 24 hours a day."

The report did not blame management, but rather pointed a finger at the way the MBTA is self-funded through fares and with a fixed annual subsidy.