MACING AND EXTORTION IN THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, JULY 1978

• NCJ Number: 49059
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 81 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Pennsylvania Crime Cmssn
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

PATTERNS OF KICKBACKS, EXTORTED POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS, AND THE USE OF THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR PATRONAGE IS DETAILED IN THIS CRIME COMMISSION'S INVESTIGATIVE REPORT.

Abstract

BECAUSE THE INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN CRIMINAL INDICTMENTS, THIS REPORT WAS HELD BACK UNTIL ALL CRIMINAL TRIALS WERE CONCLUDED. MOST OF THE WORK WAS FINISHED IN 1976; BUT THE REPORT WAS ISSUED IN JULY 1978. THE EPILOGUE DETAILS 23 CONVICTIONS OR GUILTY PLEAS RESULTING FROM THE INFORMATION DEVELOPED. THE REPORT ITSELF GIVES THE HISTORY OF THE INVESTIGATION, BEGINNING IN THE SUMMER OF 1974 WHEN A SELECT COMMITTEE ON STATE CONTRACT PRACTICES OF THE PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UNCOVERED PATTERNS OF CONTRACTOR KICKBACKS. THE CRIME COMMISSION TOOK OVER IN 1975. BECAUSE OF THE INTENSIVE WORK REQUIRED, THE COMMISSION DECIDED TO LIMIT ITS INVESTIGATION TO THE DISTRICTS OF CAMBRIA, ALLEGHENY, AND MONTOUR COUNTIES. IT FOUND THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OWNED VERY LITTLE OF ITS HEAVY ROAD BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT. INSTEAD, MOST WAS LEASED FROM FAVORED CONTRACTORS, WHO WERE USUALLY REQUIRED TO MAKE CASH CONTRIBUTIONS AMOUNTING TO 10 PERCENT OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT TO THE LOCAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY. EMPLOYEES WERE EXPECTED TO PAY A KICKBACK OF 2 PERCENT OF THEIR WEEKLY WAGES. THOSE WHO DID NOT COMPLY WERE OFTEN THREATENED WITH LOSS OF THEIR CONTRACTS OR JOBS. THE REPORT CONTAINS EXCERPTS FROM TESTIMONY, A SUMMARY OF DOCUMENTS EXAMINED, A DISCUSSION OF DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED, AND A LISTING OF PERSONS CONSULTED. IT IS HEAVILY FOOTNOTED. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE FOR REFORM, INCLUDING EXTENDING CIVIL SERVICE PROTECTION TO ALL DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMPLOYEES, BANNING ALL POLITICAL ACTIVITY AND COLLECTION OF CONTRIBUTIONS ON DEPARTMENT PROPERTY, REQUIRING LESSOR PAYMENT CHECKS TO BE COMPUTED IN THE STATE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE AND MAILED DIRECTLY TO LESSORS AND REQUIRING COMPETITIVE BIDDING ON ALL DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CONTRACTS. THE STATUS OF INDICTMENTS RESULTING FROM THE INVESTIGATION IS GIVEN.