Turnpike_Grand_Jury_Presentment

Philadelphia wanted something, it would not be an untoward conclusion that it was
coming through Senator [#6].
Senator #6 handpicked Mitchell Rubin for the Turnpike. According to Lepore, “He was
sponsored by Senator [#6]. He answered to Senator [#6]. [Senator #6] and him [sic] were
inseparable. When [Senator #6] was out and about, you had to look a foot behind him and there
was Mitchell Rubin.” Commissioner Lincoln also knew of Senator #6’s connection to Rubin and
explained that they acted in concert.
The Grand Jury finds that the political relationships and exercise of authority discussed
herein superseded any efforts on the part of Turnpike staff to legitimize their processes. The
most overwhelming evidence of improper influence, rampant within the Turnpike, concerned the
Turnpike’s contracting and procurement practices.
The 60/40 Rule
The Turnpike does business with a huge host of firms providing a variety of services,
including construction, engineering design, engineering construction, information technology ,
and professional services. The Grand Jury finds that while the Turnpike has a formal selection
procedure for most of these services, the actual selection is made pursuant to the 60/40 Rule. A
former Chief Operating Officer of the Turnpike explained, “the choice of who the - - which firms
they are, as I said, typically, there was always a 60/40 rule, . . . that selection, depending on what
year, and who the governor was, and who was on the State Senate, it would either come out of
the Senate leadership or out of the Governor’s office.” In practice, the Senate provided direction
to the Commission through their staff persons.
Political solicitations add another layer to the process and the ability to obtain work with
the Turnpike. As explained to the Grand Jury, “money is the mother’s milk of politics, and these
are prime opportunities to raise funds . . . if you were one of the chosen few who are given an
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