PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A former SEPTA manager is facing federal bribery and extortion charges after, authorities say, he accepted tens of thousands of dollars in exchange for helping a business owner gain millions of dollars in contracts with SEPTA.
Federal prosecutors say 69-year-old James Stevens was director of video surveillance operations at SEPTA when he accepted bribes from 59-year-old Robert Welsh, owner of Spector Logistics, in exchange for growing his company’s contracts with the transit agency.
From 2014 through 2018, Spector maintained and obtained millions of dollars in contracts with SEPTA, according to FBI investigators.
The benefits Welsh provided to Stevens included tens of thousands of dollars in cash payments, lodging and meals during the Pope’s 2015 visit to the city, frequent meals and drinks, as well as tickets to a Barbra Streisand concert, and funds for SEPTA annual holiday parties.
Prosecutors say Welsh also offered Stevens future employment with his company when he retired from SEPTA, at Stevens’ urging.
Both men are charged with bribery, extortion, conspiracy and other related fraud charges.