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WV DOT releases statement on alleged ‘pay for play’ scheme

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Department of Transportation is saying very little about this week’s announcement of charges stemming from an alleged pay for play scheme involving a former Division of Highways supervisor.

Federal prosecutors revealed charges against two former DOH employees along with two other individuals and a corporation for skirting normal bidding practices and steering lucrative contracts to South Carolina based Dennis Corporation. The Department of Transportation issued the following two paragraph statement on the case.

“The West Virginia Division of Highways has no tolerance for employees who engage in illegal activity. Employees who are determined to have engaged in illegal activity will face disciplinary action and/or termination.

As part of its ongoing initiative that identified anti-competitive behavior by asphalt contractors as addressed in DOH’s recent antitrust suit, the Highways Commissioner launched an initiative nearly two years ago to reform its contracts with contractors, promote competition, and reduce the risk of illegal activities. The initiative is ongoing and the WVDOH remains committed to disciplining any employee who abuses the public’s trust.”

Federal prosecutors say more charges are forthcoming in the ongoing Dennis Corporation investigation. It’s the latest in a string of corruption cases surrounding the highway department.

A similar investigation which revealed fraud and corruption in the department’s equipment division several years ago revealed the most recent allegations. U.S. Attorney Bill Ihlenfeld encouraged anyone with knowledge or information about ongoing corruption within the department to contact his office in Wheeling.





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