Ex-Turnpike employees charged for ‘stealing time’

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Criminal charges filed today against Sharie Anne Sacco, 56, and Stephen Michael Dombek, 51, are the result of separate investigations by the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations.

The pair also are accused of using state vehicles for their personal use.

The AG’s Office began its investigations after receiving a referral from the Office of Chief Counsel, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

The charges

According to criminal complaints filed in the case:

• Sacco, of Lehigh County, worked for the turnpike commission as a construction manager and was responsible for overseeing and inspecting projects on the Turnpike’s Northeastern Extension. A 32-year employee of the commission, Sacco worked out of the Quakertown Maintenance Facility in Bucks County.

Sacco allegedly received $5,918 which she was not entitled to by falsifying work hours submitted to a time management system that turnpike commission employees use to record their work time. That alleged falsification occurred during 39 days when she was under surveillance last year.

Sacco is also accused of submitting for meal payments to which she was not entitled and using a turnpike commission vehicle for her personal use on several occasions while she was under surveillance, investigators said.

She faces two counts each of tampering with public records or information and tampering with record or identification, as well as one count each of conflict of interest, theft by deception and theft.

Sacco appeared today for a preliminary arraignment. Bail was set at $20,000 unsecured. A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for June 24.

• Dombek, of Luzerne County, also worked as a construction manager for the commission, and was responsible for overseeing and inspecting construction projects on the Northeastern Extension. An eight-year employee of the turnpike commission, Dombek worked out of two locations, one in Luzerne County and the other in Lehigh County.

Investigators say Dombek received $2,196 which he was not entitled to by falsifying work hours. He was under surveillance on 17 days last year, during which investigators determined that Dombek falsely recorded the number of times he reported to work, and also reported working much later than he actually did.

Dombek also is accused of submitting for meal payments to which he was not entitled and using a turnpike commission vehicle for his personal use on several occasions while he was under surveillance.

He faces two counts each of tampering with public records or information and tampering with record or identification, as well as one count each of conflict of interest, theft by deception and theft.

Dombek appeared today for a preliminary arraignment. Bail was set at $20,000 unsecured. A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for June 23.

‘No tolerance’

Sacco and Dombek will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Barney Anderson of the AG’s Criminal Prosecutions Section.

“I hope these arrests serve as a stern reminder that we have no tolerance for anyone who steals from the public,” Attorney General Kathleen Kane said. “We especially will prosecute any public employee picking the pockets of the people.”

Turnpike Commission spokesman Carl DeFebo said the agency could not comment on the charges or personnel issues, but was able to confirm that records show Sacco was terminated in November and Dombek was terminated in December. Both were earning $63,107 per year.