Timothy S. Ormiston, P.E., F.NSPE
PSPE President 2015-16

It came to the attention of the PSPE Executive Committee on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 that Matthew P. McTish, P.E. recently pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit bribery in the region of Allentown and Reading, Pennsylvania. Mr. McTish was the President of McTish, Kunkle & Associates, and previously a member of PSPE.

In a statement by the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania on Tuesday May 10, 2016:

“Court documents were unsealed today in relation to the guilty plea entered by Matthew McTish, 57, of Orefield, PA.  McTish pleaded guilty on April 28, 2016 to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery offenses, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. McTish faces a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison, a possible fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. U.S. District Judge Juan R. Sanchez scheduled a sentencing hearing for August 2, 2016.

As I have stated before, one of the things PSPE stands for is Standards of Professional Conduct.  The NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers specifically states as one of the Fundamental Canons: “Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.” PSPE is the recognized voice and advocate of all Professional Engineers licensed in Pennsylvania. Our mission is to promote and defend the interests of Pennsylvania’s Professional Engineers. The blatant disregard for ethical practice in this incident compels PSPE, in conjunction with NSPE, to request an investigation of Matthew P. McTish by the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists. At this writing PSPE is engaged with making the request.

Additional details of the U.S. Attorney’s news release can be found at the following web address:

[www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/president-engineering-firm-admits-bribing-elected-officials-allentown-and-reading]

Timothy S. Ormiston, P.E., F.NSPE
PSPE President 2015-16