From the Grand Jury's Presentment

Posted: March 15, 2013

". . .[T]hese individuals, employed by or associated with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, used the turnpike as an enterprise through which they engaged in commerce and, in the conduct of the turnpike's affairs, a pattern of racketeering activity. These individuals wielded extraordinary power which they wrongfully used for self-enrichment and for their own political purposes, rather than for the good of the commonwealth and its citizens."

"...As explained to the grand jury, 'Money is the mother's milk of politics, and these are prime opportunities to raise funds. ... That's what the magnetic attraction of the turnpike is, because at every level, you have a whole group of professionals, lawyers, underwriters, etc., and then you have the whole engineering world.'"

"Numerous witnesses testified. . . concerning the political efforts of turnpike staff during a former governor's election and re-election campaigns. Part of the political fundraising effort was carried out by [former chief operating officer George] Hatalowich by calling contractors and engineering firms who had work with the turnpike."

"One witness explained... 'The turnpike is what it is because the General Assembly wants it to be that way. I can't be any more blunt about it. Over the years, despite all of these disclosures, despite all of

these audits and newspaper articles, despite all of the desires to make it better. It continues. It persists.. . . [T]he turnpike is the Mesopotamia river. All of the animals come and drink there. If you were an engineering firm or a law firm or a consulting firm or whatever, you go to the turnpike because that is where the money is.' "

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