inspector general

We've had a couple of reports of 'raids' today at a number of interchanges on the Pennsylvania Turnpike - that are being interpreted as a large-scale crackdown on some kind of wrongdoing. Agents under the control of Turnpike Inspector General Tony Maniscola are reportedly in charge of the 'raids' that involve surprise arrivals of teams of investigators at 'interchange' toll offices, and the seizing of electronic and other records.

We've had a number of calls and emails over the past several days from Pennsylvania Turnpike staff saying the  Turnpike "suspended" then "terminated" their Inspector General, Anthony Maniscola.  

One of the callers asked why we hadn't published "the news" about Maniscola.

The callers claim he was fired after being accused of some improper activity with subordinates, although the real reason was to get him off someone higher's back.

The Illinois Tollway is due to get a permanent Inspector-General to investigate wrongdoing at the state toll authority. The law signed lasts week by Governor Quinn follows allegations by the Feds that ex-Governor Blagojevich used his influence at the Tollway to extort money from contractors.

Ironically the Tollway IG will be appointed by the Governor, who gets to appoint the Tollway board.  The IG will be appointed for a 5 year term.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has for the first time appointed an Inspector General (IG) who is formally responsible for investigating reports of theft, fraud and waste at the Turnpike. The appointment was required by Act 44 passed in July 2007 giving the Turnpike new powers to toll I-80 and requiring it to make payments of hundreds of millions of dollars to the state for untolled roads and transit.