Pennsylvania Attorney General Seeks More Jurisdiction over Casinos

Pennsylvania Attorney General Seeks More Jurisdiction over Casinos
In order to prepare for the deluge of casinos soon to open in Pennsylvania, the state’s Attorney General Tom Corbett is making his office ready to act on any corrupt activity that may ensue.

During a news conference at the Pennsylvania Capitol center, Attorney General Corbett announced that he has formed a new anti- public corruption unit, comprised of seven full- time attorneys, which will police the new casinos. The team of attorneys is to be scattered throughout the state of Pennsylvania, and will investigate any suspicions of wrongdoing by an elected official or a state government worker in connection with the casinos or other institutions.

Attorney General Corbett also used the press conference to request that the General Assembly pass a new law that would give his office direct power to deal with violations of the gaming law by the soon- to- be- built casinos. The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 862, is currently awaiting a vote in the House. As the law currently stands, a district attorney must refer the suspected violation to his office before he or his attorney team can take action.

"In a gaming investigation, I don't believe we should have to wait for a referral," said Attorney General Corbett.

Both Republicans and Democrats throughout the state say that they are in agreement with giving the Attorney General’s office greater power to investigate and prosecute corruption in the casinos. Steve Miskin, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Sam Smith, R-Armstrong, said that he had no doubts that the members of both parties in the House would come together to give the Attorney General the powers he needs to oversee the state’s casinos.

"That's one of the sure things that's going to get done," Miskin said.

Likewise, members of both parties agreed that partisanship would not play a part in the regulation of the casinos. The Attorney General for Pennsylvania is a Republican, while Governor Ed Rendell is a Democrat. However, they have agreed to cooperate in order to ensure that the soon- to- built casinos will operate according to the letter and spirit of the law.

"There's no partisanship involved in this at all," said Attorney General Corbett. "If we have information that somebody has done wrong, I don't look at their political affiliation."

Passerbys who heard the Attorney General’s news said that they were pleased with the efforts to work together.

“I know that the casinos are coming really soon, and I’m just happy to see that there’s not going to be any monkey business,” said Susan Wilder, of Philadelphia, who was out for a stroll.

“Finally, both parties are working together instead of against each other.”

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