Corbett Faces Ethics Complaint Over Expensive Gifts

We told you Tuesday about the Daily News report that Gov. Tom Corbett and his wife had taken thousands of dollars in gifts from lobbyists and business executives. The latest twist?

The Pennsylvania Democratic Party has filed a formal complaint with the state Ethics Commission over thousands of dollars of gifts Governor Corbett and his wife received, which include a free vacation, private jet travel, and entertainment.

“Some of the activities reported do not pass the smell test,” says Pennsylvania Democratic Party chairman Jim Burn.

The executive order known as the Governor’s Code of Conduct bars members of the executive branch, including the governor, from taking gifts from anyone engaged in a business activity regulated by the state.

“[Corbett] should be leading by example. He shouldn’t be doing things that his underlings would be fired for,” says Barry Kauffman of the government reform group, Common Cause PA.

Maybe some gas-drilling companies can put together a legal defense fund for the governor. Or would that not help?