Corruption hangs over Ohio DOT

Joseph Jedrzejek, Bill Werman and Jeffrey Bauer probably did brag about their fishing stories—for a while, anyway. But on July 31 the tales quickly turned to shame, as the three were arraigned on corruption charges for their participation in schemes involving kickbacks, bid rigging and contract steering.

The court action is the result of an Ohio inspector general report released last October. The report, which wrapped up an 18-month investigation, described decade-long practices of bid-rigging and fraud that may have cost the state millions.

Jedrzejek, a storekeeper with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), and Werman, an ODOT auto mechanic, were charged with theft and an unlawful interest in a public contract, respectively. Bauer, a vendor, was charged with attempted tampering and bribery. They all pleaded not guilty.

Bauer has perhaps the most defaming case. He is being accused of participating in raucous fishing trips on Lake Erie, trips that involved vendors entertaining ODOT District 12 managers with sex with strippers in return for government contracts. Cash and other vacations also were offered. The investigation also revealed that Jedrzejek billed ODOT at least 82 times for work commissioned to an outside company that he owned, and that Werman put together a similar scam. Neither currently work for ODOT.

According to state prosecutor Bill Mason several more indictments resulting from the report are expected soon.