How one $247 traffic ticket got cheaper

Diandra Salvatore went into Traffic Court in 2010 facing fines of $247, and five points on her record, for driving 85 m.p.h. on a 55-m.p.h. stretch of I-95.

She departed with her ticket reduced to driving five miles over the limit, her costs cut to $187, and no points on her license.

She left behind an upset state trooper, who wanted her to get two points - and a Philadelphia Traffic Court that federal authorities say is shot through with corruption.

"You're in good hands with Allstate," said Judge Fortunato Perri Sr., who authorities alleged helped fix Salvatore's ticket.

Perri and eight other current or former judges were among those charged with conspiracy and fraud Thursday following a three-year FBI investigation. A 77-count federal indictment outlined how judges or their aides used code words to create two court systems: One where typical citizens paid fines, and another where the connected had cases dismissed.

This particular case began with a ticket, citation P1K8JW566M1, issued on Aug. 26, 2010, to a woman the indictment describes as "D.S." A database of tickets reviewed by The Inquirer confirmed her identity as Diandra Salvatore of Blackwood. Efforts to contact her were unsuccessful.

On Nov. 23, the indictment states, her father contacted businessman Henry P. "Eddie" Alfano about the ticket. The father, though not named, is cited in federal documents as an "unindicted coconspirator," a term used to describe go-betweens.

Alfano, owner of an auto salvage business and the landlord of two city strip clubs, spoke that same day to Perri, telling him that the ticket-getter is "gonna go." Alfano remarked that he preferred ticketholders to attend their hearings, because it "makes it better."

"It'll be all right, though," Perri answered, according to documents.

The indictment described Alfano and Perri as close friends. It's not specified how the government obtained verbatim conversations, though it appears to have involved some form of electronic surveillance.

The next day, Alfano asked Perri whether "that girl's OK," and Perri responded that she was "fine."

Alfano reminded Perri that "they're gonna be there," and the two men noted the hearing had been set for Nov. 30.

That's when Perri allegedly said, "You're in good hands with Allstate."

That same day, Perri informed court administrator William Hird about the citation, saying he has "got a girl coming down" on Nov. 30. Hird said Perri should call later and provide more information.

Five days later, Perri told Hird the citation number. Hird noted it was a state police ticket and promised to "look at it," adding, "We'll go from there."

The next day, the day of the hearing, Perri told Alfano in a phone call concerning the ticket that he was "on top of it."

"When you give me something, it's important, brother," Perri said.

Later that day, Perri asked Hird, "How [did] we do?" Hird said he didn't know for sure, because court was busy, but he was "going to assume OK" because the case was assigned to Judge Michael Lowry.

The indictment and other records show Lowry found Salvatore guilty of a lower offense, reducing the fine and court costs by $60.

That day, the indictment states, Hird told Perri the citation had been reduced to driving five miles over the limit, despite the objection of a trooper who wanted Salvatore to get two points on her license.

Later, Perri told Alfano of the result, noting, "There's no points," and adding, "She still got a good break."

Alfano, Lowry, and Hird have been charged with offenses carrying potential penalties of more than 200 years in prison. All entered not-guilty pleas and were released on $20,000 bond.

Authorities issued an "information" against Perri, usually done when a defendant is cooperating and intends to plead guilty. A court appearance has not been scheduled.

Inquirer staff writer Dylan Purcell contributed to this article.