When Pennsylvania legalized slot machines, there were concerns that the move might bring more crime into the state. Nobody realized much of that crime would come from the Gaming Control Board.
John Husar, a control board investigator, was arrested last week after a fight outside a Pittsburgh nightclub and charged with disorderly conduct, escape and public intoxication.
Astoundingly, he is the fifth control board worker to run afoul of the law. Charges against other employees range from murder to falsifying information on a job application.
We echo the sentiments of Michele Hansarick, a spokeswoman for state Sen. Jane Orie (R-McCandless), who said "We can't figure out where they're getting these people."
In April, Orie introduced legislation to require background checks on control board employees before they start work, and to compel applicants to undergo drug testing. Another provision would prevent board members from hiring their relatives.
Husar, who was immediately suspended after the latest incident, is accused of becoming verbally and physically belligerent after bouncers at Town Tavern refused to waive a $5 cover charge for his friends.
The rest of the rogues' gallery at the Gaming Control Board includes:
n Kevin P. Eckenrode, who is charged with murder for allegedly throwing his girlfriend to her death from his 23rd-story apartment in February after a two-day drinking binge.
n Board attorney Michael Schwoyer, who pleaded no contest last November to charges of disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.
n Board attorney LaMonte Williams, who was also cited last November for simple assault and public intoxication after a bar fight.
n Michael Ray Rosenberry, who was charged in April with two counts of false swearing and three counts of unsworn falsification relating to his application.
Can Pennsylvania trust this hard-drinking band of outlaws to protect the integrity of our slots licensing system?
We aren't confident and we hope Orie's proposal is quickly adopted -- and a sudden sense of public decorum descends upon the Gaming Control Board.
