Watchdog Group Says Ethics Probe Is Not Enough For Corrupt Politicians
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - A Harrisburg area activist says he's filed ethics complaints against Philadelphia Democrats caught on tape accepting illegal payments. But the head of a local reform group says that's not enough.
The Committee of 70 has already called for an independent counsel to investigate and the president of the organization, Zack Stalberg, says a probe by the State Ethics Commission is not an adequate substitute.
"The biggest problem is that the ethics commission will focus on just the allegations against these individuals and not get into some of the larger issues," Stalberg said.
Those larger issues include whether the sting operation was appropriate, or whether it was botched. That sting was shut down by Attorney General Kathleen Kane without any charges being filed against those it snared.
A complaint has also been filed with the state House ethics committee, but a House spokesman says that probe would be limited to how the actions of the members in question affected the body.
