Three charged in illegal drivers’ license scheme

A former PennDot employee was charged today with taking bribes in return for giving drivers' licenses to illegal aliens and foreign residents, and a city businessman has been charged with paying the bribes and operating the scheme that obtained "hundreds" of improper licenses.

Harold Palmer, a PennDot license examiner since 2004, accepted cash payments from Saman H. Salem in return issuing drivers' licenses to clients of Salem's business, Professional Driving School, government prosecutors said at news conference today.

Salem, Palmer, and a third man, Pierre E. Jean-Louis of Collingdale, were charged as part of an two-year investigation into illegally obtained identification, said U.S. Attorney Michael L. Levy.

Levy said the defendants were "charged with systematically corrupting the process of obtaining driving licenses, and putting hundreds of identification documents into the hands of people not eligible to receive them."

Salem was charged with an "information," an indication that he intends to plead guilty.

Two other PennDot license examiners were previously charged. Background checks for all license examiners will be upgraded, a state official said today.

Salem is accused of making some $1 million from the scheme, which was based in northern New Jersey and ran for 17 years, said Levy.

In recent months, 20 people have been charged in connection with the license crimes.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Agent in Charge John P. Kellegham said falsely obtained government identification is a "serious threat" because an official ID can be used in drug and financial crimes.

The PennDot licenses examiners were paid $40 to $100 for a issuing a license to an ineligible person, and Salem was paid up to $4,000 by a person who needed a fake identity, said prosecutors.