Sep 17, 2016 2 min read

Pennsylvania is widely known as a state of corruption and one which is in chaos. Many who occupy high elective office all the way up to the state Supreme Court have been indicted, convicted, and/or imprisoned or have resigned under the threat of criminal charges and the loss of their heavily gilded pensions.

One area of state government of which I am proud is the Office of Auditor General headed by the able, experienced, and tireless Eugene DePasquale. I followed the legislative career of DePasquale when he was in the Legislature and consistently found him to be a man of honor, integrity, and innovation, one who supported legislation which would provide a public benefit.

DePasquale faced off against my longtime state representative, John Maher, when seeking the office in 2012. Maher touted his credentials as the only certified public accountant in the General Assembly and surely expected to coast to victory. CPA Maher set the interests of the public aside when he voted for the 2001 retroactive pension boost of 50 percent for himself and his greedy colleagues, and 25 percent for rank-and-file state employees and public school teachers, setting in motion the enormous accumulated deficit in the funds.

He also voted for the smarmy 2005 middle-of-the-night pay raise from which he and others were forced to retreat upon a most unexpected public revolt. I took into account these betrayals of the public and supported Eugene DePasquale for auditor general. I am glad I did.

The auditor general has consistently engaged in extensive investigation and audit of entities within his purview, bringing to light instances of mismanagement and malfeasance involving public money. It has served to embarrass the perpetrators and served as a warning that action must be taken so taxpayers won’t be on the hook for bailing out those who acted with incompetence and disdain for those they purport to serve.

As former auditor general and gubernatorial candidate Barbara Hafer is currently under criminal indictment, it becomes ever more clear that an honest, hard-working, decent man (or woman) is not easy to find in high places in government today. I believe DePasquale is that man. He would be an attractive gubernatorial candidate. If anyone could bring us together and move meaningful legislation to benefit the average Pennsylvanian, it would be him.

Oren M. Spiegler

Upper St. Clair