Former Turnpike CEO, lawmaker collect $40,000 pensions in plea deals

HARRISBURG — Former Pennsylvania Turnpike CEO Joe Brimmeier, accused of participating in a bid-rigging and influence-peddling scheme, is collecting a $43,027 annual state pension despite his guilty plea to a conflict of interest charge in November, records show.

Brimmeier, 66, of Ross insists he is innocent.

“I did what I had to do, as far as a plea was concerned, for myself and my family,” Brimmeier said Tuesday in a brief telephone interview. “I was not guilty of anything. I didn't do anything wrong in 42 years in government” at county, state and federal levels.

“Now, we're enjoying the fruits of my work,” he said. “I definitely did not do anything wrong. I had to (plead guilty) for my wife, my family, including my grandson.” He declined further comment.

Brimmeier withdrew $104,838 from contributions he made to the pension system, along with 4 percent interest compounded annually, according to information the State Employees' Retirement System provided the Tribune-Review through a Right to Know Law request. Pension officials said the amount is for state service, not time Brimmeier spent working for Allegheny County government.

Brimmeier said he draws no county pension. He said he logged 12 years of service with the state.

Though a felony, conflict of interest is a crime that does not require automatic revocation of pension benefits. Crimes such as perjury and theft require revocation under the forfeiture law.

The state Attorney General's Office accused Brimmeier of bid-rigging, corrupt influences, commercial bribery, criminal attempt and criminal conspiracy, charges that were dismissed in the plea bargain. Brimmeier was sentenced to six months' probation, $2,500 in fines and 250 hours of community service.

Of six others charged in the scheme, five entered pleas to varying charges, but none received a prison sentence. A Dauphin County judge cleared former Senate Democratic Leader Bob Mellow of Scranton of all charges.

In a separate case, former Sen. LeAnna Washington, D-Philadelphia, preserved her pension through a deal in which she pleaded guilty to conflict of interest; prosecutors dismissed a theft charge.

Washington, 69, collects a $42,879 pension despite her plea in October, the records show.

She was charged with requiring her state-paid staff to work on her annual campaign fundraiser, held on her birthday. Washington withdrew $142,437 of her contributions with interest.

Attorney General Kathleen Kane prosecuted both cases.

“There are a number of factors that prosecutors must always consider when reaching a plea agreement, and in every instance, the Office of Attorney General works to reach a result that is in the best interest of the commonwealth,” said Aaron Sadler, Kane's spokesman. “Whether or not an offense should result in automatic pension forfeiture would be an issue for the legislature.”

Eric Epstein, co-founder of Rock the Capital, a government reform group, said taking away public officials' pensions is “one of the few tools we have to combat corruption.”

“This is a troubling trend, whereby folks engaged in misconduct are rewarded with a lifetime payout,” Epstein said.

Others say the conflict of interest charge is a tool for prosecutors to use as leverage during plea negotiations.

Epstein noted that former legislative leaders convicted of corruption for stealing state services for campaigns lost their pensions, including former House Speaker Bill DeWeese, D-Waynesburg; ex-Speaker John Perzel, R-Philadelphia; former House Whips Mike Veon, D-Beaver Falls and Brett Feese, R-Lycoming County; and ex-Senate GOP Whip Jane Orie, R-McCandless.

DeWeese's pension was estimated to exceed $100,000 annually, and he estimated the lifetime value at $3 million. DeWeese spent 36 years in the House.

Perzel's pension was $85,653.

Brad Bumsted is Trib Total Media's state Capitol reporter. Reach him at 717-787-1405 or bbumsted@tribweb.com. The Associated Press contributed.