Gov. Rendell this morning removed Mitchell Rubin from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, saying it was “inappropriate” for him to remain at the agency in light of his role in the corruption allegations highlighted by last week's conviction of former State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo.
Last Monday, a jury convicted Rubin's wife, Ruth Arnao, of federal corruption charges alongside Fumo, her onetime boss. Three days later, federal authorities handed Rubin a "target letter" notifying him that he is the focus of a probe some believe is mopping up after the Fumo case.
On Saturday, Rubin notified that governor that he was taking an immediate and indefinite unpaid leave from the commission to deal with unspecified personal matters.
In their case against Fumo, prosecutors successfully argued that Fumo had paid Rubin $150,000 in taxpayer money from 1990 to 2004 for contracted consulting work though Rubin never performed any state duties.
The Senate was unable to come up with a single example of written work produced by Rubin, and prosecutors argued that Fumo had canceled the contract after realizing he was under investigation.
“Under these circumstances and others it is inappropriate for you to remain as a commission,” Rendell wrote in a letter to Rubin this morning.
Rendell told reporters last week that he was reviewing the trial transcript and consulting with his top lawyers to determine whether he should remove Rubin.
Chuck Ardo, Rendell’s spokesman, said the governor was expected to make an announcement soon about Rubin’s replacement.
Governors appoint turnpike commissioners, subject to Senate confirmation.
Rubin, 57, of Philadelphia, has served on the commission for 11 years, the last six as chairman.
Commission Vice Chairman Tim Carson will assume some of the chairman’s duties, a turnpike spokesman said.
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" The Senate was unable to come up with a single example of written work produced by Rubin..." That's after he worked there for 14 years and got a $150,000 a year.— The-Roof-Is-On-Fire- How about Rendell's inappropriate behaviour with Fumo? The guy to this day stands up still for Fumo who got on the stand and said -- "you got me, I am complete fraud."— reddog44
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- has anybody stopped to consider that Rubin has brought in more than 1 billion in new funds since he has been with the commission that's more than we're getting from the federal stimulus ..— jonescommon
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- Well, now Fast Eddie can appoint his own puppet to the commission, which increases the chance that he can sellout the turnpike to his lobbyist buddies!— jman
- jonescommon - WHAT? Are you kidding me? Have you ever met this man? Raising fees hardly equals "bringing in money". Oh wait a minute, you're a rendell/fumo-crat. Raising taxes DOES equal bringing in money for you. Fumo, DiCicco, Arnao, Rendell, Daugherty, Kenney, Brady... Time for all of them to go. They all like to see their names on things, how about a prison wing?— whitehouse
- Dr.McCoy, wake up dude, your racist nonsense isn't helping the situation. Philly is Italian, Jewish, Irish, Polish, African-American... THis is a Philly Democract thing, nothing more— whitehouse
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- This is really getting good. Eddy had no choice. All he could do was publicly thank him. I wonder what was said in private? Rubin will do what he is told. Fumo thinks he is above Eddy. Fumo is where the deal can be made. Eddy needs a Jack Ruby for this one. If only Hillary had won, Eddy might be safe. He thinks it will help by kissing up to Obama on Meet the Press. Obama will smile and do nothing for Eddy. There might be a lot of traffic at the top of city hall in the next few weeks. Are grief counselars on state payroll?— willy25
- This was unavoidable. You bet Rendell is sending all his suits to the cleaners to get off the stains they got from him standing too close to Fumo. Sic transit...— DonQ
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- I think our message is clear Mr. Law, investigate why Eddie and other enforcement agencies, allowed all this to happen. Remember the FCC. Better yet, hey Rubin, do the right thing and tell on them all.— FJG JR
