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| COMMISSION NEWS RELEASE | |||||
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| Pa. Turnpike Inspector General Announces First Year's Results Office investigates 138 cases generating $1 million in commission savings. |
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| HARRISBURG, PA (03/19/2010)(readMedia)-- In its inaugural year of operation, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigated 138 cases and helped the commission save or recover more than $1 million in all. Inspector General Anthony L. Maniscola said that tips and the investigative activities of his office and several other Turnpike departments - with assistance from external agencies - led to the termination of 32 Pennsylvania Turnpike employees. "We made a commitment to aggressively investigate all reports of theft, fraud and waste at the Turnpike, and these results are proof that we've been able to deliver," Maniscola said. "I'm proud of the job we've done to help reduce misconduct and save money, but we can't accept all the credit. In many cases, we teamed up with other Turnpike departments and received support from outside enforcement agencies." Maniscola, who was named inspector general in February 2009, said his office worked closely with the Turnpike's toll-revenue audit and operations-review departments in addition to Pennsylvania State Police Troop T and Bureau of Criminal Investigation. In fact, he said several cases have already been referred to state police and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General for further investigation and possible prosecution. The $1 million came mostly from payroll and benefits savings combined with termination of outside contracts and restitution. The firings resulted from various breaches of policy or other violations including misappropriation of Turnpike equipment or resources and theft. "During my first year, I've learned that most of the roughly 2,000 Turnpike employees, as well as its consultants and contractors, are professional, ethical people dedicated to the mission of operating a safe, efficient toll road," Maniscola said. "And for those who stray from such values, our goal is to weed them out to help bolster public confidence in the job the commission is doing." Maniscola - a former state investigator with more than 40 years of law-enforcement experience - said anyone can report potential unlawful activity via telephone, e-mail or regular mail. Employees and citizens should report suspected fraud, theft or corruption at the Turnpike by calling the toll-free tip line, 1-888-317-3110, via e-mail at tip_box@paturnpike.com or in writing to "PTC Tip-Box," P.O. Box 19, Highspire PA 17034-0019. Maniscola said all tips and complaints are taken seriously and that his office has the full support of Turnpike commissioners and executives. Other outside agencies have also provided support and counsel, including the Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General, the Inspector General of Philadelphia, PennDOT and federal agencies. |
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