Former Turnpike CEO, Ross Resident Among Eight Indicted in Turnpike Corruption Probe

Ross resident and former Pennsylvania Turnpike Chief Executive Officer Joe Brimmeier is among eight people indicted Wednesday by a statewide grand jury investigating corruption at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

The grand jury recommended criminal charges against Brimmeier, 64, and seven others: former state Senate Democratic leader Robert Mellow, former Turnpike Commission Chairman Mitchell Rubin, former Turnpike Chief Operating Officer George Hatalowich, former turnpike employees Melvin Shelton and Raymond Zajicek, turnpike vendor Dennis Miller and vendor consultant Jeffrey Suzenski, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported. 

Shortly after the indictments were announced, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald issued the following statement:

“Joe Brimmeier called me last night to notify me that he was submitting his resignation from the Board of the Port Authority of Allegheny County, effective immediately, in light of the charges announced this morning. He indicated to me that he is innocent of these charges, but would be focusing his time and attention on proving that. Our justice system is set up on the premise that all men are innocent until proven guilty.  I believe that and wish Joe the best in facing this challenge.”

The charges stem from a more than three-year investigation begun by Republican Gov. Tom Corbett while he was attorney general. Attorney General Kathleen Kane, a Democrat, announced the charges in what she described as a “multi-million-dollar pay-to-play scheme,” the Trib reported.

The charges include conspiracy, commercial bribery, bid rigging, theft, conflict of interest and participating in a corrupt organization.

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