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Pittsburgh Officials Can't Invest in Gambling

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania – As reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: "City Council gave final approval to a bill yesterday barring the city's elected and appointed officials from owning an interest in gambling businesses.

"The bill extends beyond the nine council members and the mayor to up to 205 people serving on various city-related authorities and boards. Immediate family members of the officials also are barred, though council added a loophole exempting family members who already partially own businesses that could get gambling-related contracts later.

"Council President Gene Ricciardi introduced the ordinance after the state approved slot machines earlier this month. Ricciardi said he wanted to bar any perceived conflicts of interest or nepotism among city officials after a slots parlor is built in Pittsburgh.

"…State slots legislation allowed government officials to own up to 1 percent of a gambling business. However, support is building in Harrisburg for an amendment barring any ownership by government officials…"

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