Audit Finds Pa. Gaming Control Board In Violation Of Sunshine Law

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Pennsylvania's auditor general says state gaming regulators have violated the state sunshine law by not publicly voting on millions of dollars in contracts.

Auditor General Jack Wagner says that out of 23 professional service contracts over a three year period starting in July 2006 that were reviewed by his office, at least 19 contracts worth $7 million were awarded by the Gaming Control Board without a public vote.

"The Gaming Control Board – rather than being a paragon of transparency and accountability – has chosen instead to flagrantly flout state law," says Wagner.

Essentially, Wagner and the gaming board disagree on how state law applies given its particular structure as a state agency. Gaming Control Board spokesman Doug Harbach adds, ""We take the auditor general's findings seriously and where practical, in the future, we will approve all contracts with a public vote."

Wagner says he's turned his findings over to the state attorney general's office.

Reported By Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio.