A former engineer for a New York commuter railroad has pleaded guilty to official misconduct after admitting he allowed a passenger into the control booth.

Ronald Cabrera entered the guilty plea Tuesday in Nassau County Court. He was fined $500 and ordered to perform 50 hours of community service.

The Long Island Rail Road fired Cabrera.

Officials say he allowed passenger William Kutsch drive a train carrying nearly 400 riders during rush hour in July 2009.

Cabrera was initially charged with reckless endangerment. His lawyer tells Newsday his client only admitted to the misconduct charge and does not concede that he let the passenger get behind the controls.