Friday, January 30, 2015

NAME THAT PARTY: Multiple news outlets reporting Pa. Treasurer (and former "vulture capitalist") Rob McCord subject of investigation

1/30/2015
Jan Murphy


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State Treasurer Rob McCord, seen here being sworn into office in 2009, has been reported by three media outlets to be the subject of a federal investigation. (File photo/Pennlive)



State Treasurer Rob McCord's unexpectedannouncement on Thursday of his resignation, effective Feb. 12, gave rise to speculation about what brought it about so suddenly.

Then within hours after issuing a news release saying he was returning to the private sector after having achieved all of his goals as treasurer, three media outlets cited anonymous sources confirming that McCord is under federal investigation.

Philadelphia TV station WPVI reportedthat McCord was being investigated for alleged theft of campaign and other funds.

The Morning Call in Allentown subsequently confirmed that report and also reported that the probe has been going on for "a while" and was being run out of the FBI's Harrisburg office. 

The Philadelphia Inquirer also is reporting that investigators have been asking questions about "McCord's campaign-related actions in recent months."
Numerous attempts by PennLive to confirm these reports resulted in a series of no comments and unreturned phone calls.

McCord spokesman Gary Tuma said, "This is not a matter on which the Treasury Department can comment. Treasury routinely receives investigatory subpoenas or requests for documents from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.  It has been the department's policy to cooperate with and fully respond to all law enforcement inquiries, and to honor the confidentiality of any such inquiry.  We defer to the law enforcement authorities on whether to comment on, or even confirm, any such inquiry."
Messages left with the FBI were not returned.

Gov. Tom Wolf said McCord, one of his Democratic rivals in last spring's primary for that party's gubernatorial nomination, "honorably and diligently served the people of Pennsylvania" during his six years as treasurer.

Subsequently, Wolf's press secretary Jeff Sheridan said the governor was not aware of the reports of McCord being the subject of a federal investigation until after that statement was issued. 

An official at the Department of State, which oversees the state's elections and related activity, also declined comment. A spokesman there said it is the department's longstanding policy not to comment on these inquiries but cooperates with law enforcement investigations.


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