Mitchell Rubin, fired a year ago as chairman of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, was charged Wednesday with obstructing a federal investigation into his longtime friend, former State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo.

Mr. Rubin, 58, a well-known figure in Philadelphia political circles, is accused of "withholding material facts" from FBI agents investigating Mr. Fumo in 2006, according to the accusation filed in U.S. District Court.

The Fumo probe led to a lengthy trial and last year's conviction of Mr. Fumo and Mr. Rubin's wife, Ruth Arnao, on federal conspiracy, fraud, and obstruction of justice charges.

Mr. Rubin's wife received a jail sentence of a year and a day, while Mr. Fumo was sentenced to 55 months.

During the trial, witnesses said that Mr. Rubin had a $30,000 a year "consulting" contract with Mr. Fumo that was paid with state funds. The disclosure later prompted Gov. Ed Rendell to fire Mr. Rubin from the turnpike commission, saying there was strong evidence that Mr. Rubin had done no work for the pay.

Allegations that Mr. Rubin lied to the grand jury were laid out last year in connection with Mr. Fumo's sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Zauzmer said that Mr. Rubin initially told investigators that the payments were for legitimate work by his legal services company.

"But then the government investigated, and found that no Senate employee used ... [Mr. Rubin] for anything, or even knew that Rubin had a Senate contract."

Mr. Rubin served on the turnpike authority for 11 years, including six as chairman. He was originally appointed by Gov. Tom Ridge in 1998, but Mr. Fumo selected him for the post.

Mr. Rubin faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 if convicted.

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