Crickets :)

So digging into the DNN source, found pieces I think will work from the Recycle Bin code  (most of source omitted).  Thinking this will work, just wanted to follow up in case someone else is searching.   

//dnn source code

//Load data is getting the list of deleted tabs and deleted modules by PortalID 

        protected List<TabInfo> DeletedTabs { get; private set; }

        protected List<ModuleInfo> DeletedModules { get; private set; }

private void LoadData()

        {

            var currentLocale = LocaleController.Instance.GetCurrentLocale(PortalId);

            TabCollection tabsList = modeButtonList.SelectedValue == "ALL"

                             ? TabController.Instance.GetTabsByPortal(PortalId)

                             : TabController.Instance.GetTabsByPortal(PortalId).WithCulture(currentLocale.Code, true);

            DeletedTabs = tabsList.Values.Where(tab => tab.IsDeleted)

                                            .OrderBy(tab => tab.TabPath)

                                            .ToList();

            DeletedModules = ModuleController.Instance.GetModules(PortalId)

                                                .Cast<ModuleInfo>()

                                                .Where(module => module.IsDeleted && (modeButtonList.SelectedValue == "ALL" || module.CultureCode == currentLocale.Code))

                                                .ToList();

        }

//empty recycle bin

private void OnEmptyBinClick(Object sender, EventArgs e)

    {

            foreach(var module in DeletedModules)

            {

                DeleteModule(module);

            }

            //Delete tabs starting with the deepest children

            foreach(var tab in DeletedTabs.OrderByDescending(t => t.Level))

            {

                DeleteTab(tab, true);

            }

    }