Turnpike scofflaws could face criminal charges
(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
(Harrisburg) — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is working to file criminal charges against its worst toll violators.
An audit two years ago found the Turnpike was losing $20 million each year by writing off toll scofflaws.
The commission’s Chief Compliance Officer Ray Morrow says state law allows prosecution for theft of services if a driver owes $2,000 or more.
He told WITF’s Smart Talk district attorneys in counties with Turnpike exchanges are backing the effort.
“At this point we have 14 of the 17 on board, I just haven’t reached out to the other three yet,” Morrow said. “All of them agreed and the response I was getting from them was–they were almost taking this personally. ‘This is something we need to do, this is our money.’”
One woman in Lancaster County has reportedly racked up over $90,000 in debt to the Turnpike Commission.
A recent change in state law allows PennDOT to suspend the vehicle registration of drivers with six violations or $500 in unpaid tolls and fees.
You can hear the full conversation here.
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