Former PennDOT Supervisor Drives on Wrong Side of Law; AG Says She Altered Records

Pennsylvania Attorney General Jerry Pappert announced on Thursday that agents from his Bureau of Criminal Investigations have filed charges against a Dauphin County woman who allegedly altered state driving records for individuals whose driving privileges had been suspended in return for various items including tickets to concerts and
sporting events.

Pappert identified the defendant as Terry Spradley, 46, of Harrisburg. Spradley is a former clerical supervisor with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), working with matters related to suspended driver’s licenses.

Pappert said the charges allege that between January 2002 and February 2003 Spradley allegedly accessed the PennDOT computer system in order to alter the driving records of 11 individuals whose driving privileges had been suspended.

Spradley allegedly removed 76 traffic citations on the driving records of
those individuals, enabling them to have their driving licenses restored and potentially depriving the Commonwealth of more than $12,000 in fines and costs related to those citations.

Pappert said Spradley allegedly accepted various items in return for her actions, including tickets to sporting events and concerts, discounted rent on an apartment in the Philadelphia area, free dinners, movie passes and trips to Atlantic City.

“This case is about tampering with official government records, which we all depend on to be accurate and secure,” said Pappert. “Nobody should be allowed to use their position of authority and public trust to alter records and manipulate information for personal gain.”

Pappert noted that when PennDOT officials became aware of Spradley’s alleged actions they restored the citations and reinstated the fines. In addition, substantial changes were made to the PennDOT computer system in an effort to prevent future alterations of driving records.

PennDOT suspended Spradley in February 2003 and terminated her in May 2003.

Pappert said Spradley is charged with one count each of bribery, tampering with public records and computer trespass. Each charge is a third degree felony carrying a maximum penalty of seven years in prison and $15,000 in fines.