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Pennsylvania Struggles to Fill Commission Post

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- As reported by the Associated Press: "Things he had said in the past came back to complicate his rise to the state's gambling commission.

"In the end, he withdrew, saying that it would be a distraction to the governor, who had tapped him. There were plenty of headlines about it: The press was accused of a "lynching" and critics were accused of distorting his positions.

"That was in 1994, when Dale T. Taylor, then the mayor of tiny Wenonah, N.J., dropped out of consideration to serve on the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.

"This week the appointment of longtime crimefighter Frank Friel to be the first chairman of Pennsylvania's Gaming Control Board died in much the same way.

"When he announced his withdrawal on Wednesday, Friel said he had done nothing wrong, but that the criticism of him was taking a toll on his family and would distract the fledgling commission.

''...But some observers, including a veteran of the New Jersey casino commission, said the ethical bar for serving as a gambling regulator is unusually high because of a history of corruption in the industry.

"...In a 1974 state Crime Commission report, Friel was accused of being among dozens of police officers who took money from a club owner. Friel denied any wrongdoing and was never indicted..."

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