Investigations

On August 2, 2021, based on a conviction in January 2019, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) debarred former Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Assistant District Executive Nicholas Martino from doing business with the Government for a period of 3 years. Martino pleaded guilty to one felony count of accepting improper influence under the Pennsylvania Public Official and Employee Ethics Act. In August 2018, FHWA suspended Martino based on a criminal complaint filed in June 2018, in Pennsylvania State court.

 

DOT-OIG’s investigation revealed that in exchange for monetary kickbacks, Martino ignored a PennDOT contractor’s failure to perform contractually required work. Martino also helped fire a project inspector who refused to approve work the contractor had not performed.

 

FHWA made the debarment retroactive to the date of suspension issued on August 2, 2018.