Bribery-related charge filed against former PennDOT manager

Bail was set at $10,000 unsecured and Martino reportedly waived his preliminary hearing and arraignment in Common Pleas Court. The case will be prosecuted by Chief Deputy Attorney General Erik Olsen.

According to a press release issued Monday by the Office of Attorney General, Martino accepted the bribes over the course of “many years,” while overseeing general maintenance and roadside management programs.

In one instance, Martino allegedly “looked the other way” and fired a Bucks County PennDOT inspector for refusing to approve unperformed work by the contractor, the release said. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said of the charges, “This is the definition of public corruption, where the taxpayers get cheated and the public loses confidence in its government.”

“This is the definition of public corruption, where the taxpayers get cheated and the public loses confidence in its government,” said Attorney General Shapiro.

“This individual accepted bribes and allowed a contractor to not perform their work under the contract. No one is above the law – and we will hold this former state official accountable for his crime.”

According to the release, state law enforcement agents started an investigation into Martino in 2013 after receiving a tip about corruption in the district.

The investigation dovetailed with the recommendation of a 2014 statewide investigating grand jury to charge 10 PennDOT officials, including two former District 6 managers, in connection with a multi-million dollar overbilling and kickback scheme.

A cooperating witness provided evidence against Martino.

“We take these allegations very seriously and we commend the Attorney General’s office for their diligence in reviewing this situation,” PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards said.

“These alleged actions do not reflect the intense dedication and commitment of the men and women of PennDOT.”