Turnpike_Grand_Jury_Presentment

Commission is also responsible for the making of any contracts, leases, agreements, and bonds.
Further, the Commission must approve all requisitions, purchase orders, and investments.
Commissioners of the Turnpike and its employees are considered public officials and
public employees, respectively, within the meaning of the Ethics Act. This requires the
Commissioners and Turnpike employees to abide by the Ethics Act and submit financial
disclosure forms to the State Ethics Commission. Financial disclosure forms require that
individual gifts in excess of $250.00 or $650.00 in the aggregate for a calendar year received
outside of a personal familial relationship be disclosed. Financial disclosure forms also require
disclosure of any payment or reimbursement of actual expenses for transportation, lodging, or
hospitality received in connection with public office or employment in excess of $650.00 in the
course of a single occurrence. Public officials and public employees are also required to disclose
any employment in any business and any financial interest in any legal entity engaged in
business for profit. The Grand Jury has reviewed financial disclosure forms for the years 2003
through 2010 and, except where noted, none of the individuals referenced in this Presentment
reported any gifts, hospitality, or other relevant financial interests.
The Turnpike’s enabling legislation establishes the structure and appointment process
outlined above. The history and practice of the Turnpike establishes an additional layer. A
former Chief Operating Officer explained to the Grand Jury that “this history and the tradition
has been that there are always two Republican and two Democratic Commissioners, and whoever
the governor is, since he names the Secretary of Transportation, he then becomes either - - it
becomes the majority party in the Commission.” Additionally, the governor coming into office
has the privilege of nominating and selecting the Chief Executive Officer of the Turnpike.
Traditionally, the Commissioners have named the Chief Operating Officer. Thus, the Turnpike’s
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