10 charged in PennDOT overbilling, kickback probe

BRIDGEPORT, Pa. (AP) — Ten people connected to Pennsylvania’s highway system have been charged in a $1.2 million overbilling and kickback scheme prosecutors say thrived on nepotism and cronyism.

Two ex-managers in PennDOT’s Philadelphia-area office were charged today with theft, bribery, criminal conspiracy and other charges for allegedly taking kickbacks to approve inflated timesheets and mileage reports.

Two employees and six contractor inspectors were also charged. Prosecutors say they exploited a permitting and inspection program for construction affecting highways.

Inspectors were paid more than $500,000 they didn’t earn and two consulting firms were paid more than $700,000 for unearned overtime.

A grand jury recommended the charges during a broader investigation into fraud in PennDOT’s southeastern district.

A contractor was charged in July with billing the state $3.6 million for work that wasn’t done.