Jailed Former State Senator
Now Facing More Corruption Charges

A former state Senate leader and seven other people have been charged in connection to a “pay to play” scheme involving the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Attorney General Kathleen Kane says, "The grand jury found that these men were using the Turnpike to line their pockets and to influence elections. That is stealing from the public, pure and simple."

Retired state Senate Democratic Leader Bob Mellow, who is currently in jail on unrelated corruption charges, is accused of having his chief of staff help supporters and contributors get business from the turnpike, and having him pressure people at the turnpike to support him politically and raise campaign funds.

Mellow is charged with corrupt organizations, bribery, bid-rigging, conspiracy and other offenses. A message left for a criminal defense lawyer who has represented him in the past was not immediately returned.

Also charged was former turnpike chief executive Joe Brimmeier and former turnpike chairman Mitchell Rubin, who face charges similar to Mellow's.

Read the full story here.

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