Mellow and Turnpike Officials Named in "Pay to Play" Case
By: Andy Mehalshick
Updated: March 15, 2013
Harrisburg, The Pennsylvania Turnpike System was a cash cow for those who paid to play..so says a Grand Jury and State Investigators. The scheme was unveiled in Harrisburg Wednesday Investigators allege that former state senator Bob Mellow from Lackawanna County was the man who gave the orders..
Kathleen Kane, PA State Attorney General said "In particular the 33rd statewide investigative grand jury found substantial evidence that former State Senator Mellow during his tenure as democratic floor leader directed that his chief of staff secure turnpike contracts for key contributors and supporters."
Investigators say Mellow, who is now serving time in a federal prison after pleading guilty to a corruption charge, conspired with former turnpike officials including former Commissioner Mitchell Rubin, to make sure people paid to play..writhing the 85 page grand jury report..witnesses testified.
Investigators say money went to several political campaigns around the state..but that there was no evidence that those lawmakers were aware of the money steered their way by Mellow..those unnamed lawmakers were not charged..Eyewitness News was also told that there were efforts to stop the scheme..within the ranks of the turnpike employees.
"There were numerous state employees who tried to stand-up for the right thing to do.They were terminated they received poor evaluations and they were isolated they knew something was wrong but they couldn't do anything about it." said Frank Noonan, State Police Commissioner.
The Investigation is on-going.
Kathleen Kane, PA State Attorney General said "In particular the 33rd statewide investigative grand jury found substantial evidence that former State Senator Mellow during his tenure as democratic floor leader directed that his chief of staff secure turnpike contracts for key contributors and supporters."
Investigators say Mellow, who is now serving time in a federal prison after pleading guilty to a corruption charge, conspired with former turnpike officials including former Commissioner Mitchell Rubin, to make sure people paid to play..writhing the 85 page grand jury report..witnesses testified.
Investigators say money went to several political campaigns around the state..but that there was no evidence that those lawmakers were aware of the money steered their way by Mellow..those unnamed lawmakers were not charged..Eyewitness News was also told that there were efforts to stop the scheme..within the ranks of the turnpike employees.
"There were numerous state employees who tried to stand-up for the right thing to do.They were terminated they received poor evaluations and they were isolated they knew something was wrong but they couldn't do anything about it." said Frank Noonan, State Police Commissioner.
The Investigation is on-going.
