HARRISBURG — Although charges were announced last year with great fanfare in an alleged “pay to play” scandal involving secret gifts of cash, travel and entertainment, and campaign contributions, the case against numerous former Pennsylvania Turnpike officials ended quietly Thursday with plea deals and no jail time.
The last two defendants in the high-profile corruption case pleaded guilty Thursday to one count each of felony conflict of interest; other defendants in the case had previously entered guilty pleas, entered a diversion program that will allow charges to be dropped or had charges dismissed.
Former Pennsylvania Turnpike CEO Joseph Brimmeier and former COO George Hatalowich were sentenced Thursday to 60 months of probation, a fine of $2,500 and 250 hours of community service. The state is not requesting restitution in either case.
Both men declined to comment to the court prior to their sentencing in Dauphin County Common Pleas Court.
Prosecutors said Brimmeier, while CEO, “engaged in conduct that constituted a conflict of interest ... accepted free hospitality from agents of engineering firm Orth-Rodgers & Associates Inc. and contributions by agents of ORA to Governor Ed Rendell, who appointed [him] as CEO of the [Turnpike]” and that Brimmeier “took official actions to influence the award of PTC contracts to ORA.”
Hatalowich, while COO, “accepted free hospitality and gifts from agents of engineering firm McTish, Kunkle & Associates Inc.,” and “took official actions to influence the award of PTC contracts to McTish.”
A spokesman for Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s office said the resolution of the cases was reasonable.
“I think it’s a sound warning to all employees of state agencies and public employees that this kind of conduct is illegal and there are consequences,” said spokesman J.J. Abbott. Neither man would necessarily lose any pension as none of the crimes they had been charged with are enumerated in the pension forfeiture act, Mr. Abbott said.
Last year, prosecutors charged numerous former turnpike officials, a contractor and former state senator with being involved in what they alleged was a wide-ranging bid-rigging scheme. Defense attorneys for several of the men charged, however, said the state couldn’t prove a “quid pro quo,” that gifts or contributions were given for specific contracts or favors.
In September, two defendants were allowed to enter a diversion program that will allow all charges to be dropped after a two-year period, and last month the final criminal charge against former state Sen. Bob Mellow was dropped. Earlier this month, former Turnpike Commissioner Mitchell Rubin pleaded guilty to one count of commercial bribery, agreeing to serve 24 months of probation, complete 100 hours of community service and pay a $2,500 fine.
First Published: November 20, 2014, 8:15 p.m.
Updated: November 21, 2014, 5:49 a.m.