Chairman of House Gaming Oversight Committee calls for former Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey to resign

PITTSBURGH — There are calls for former Pittsburgh mayor Ed Gainey to resign from his current position with the state.

It’s the latest fallout from the unsealed search warrant served on the city.

The chairman of the House Gaming Oversight Committee is calling on Ed Gainey to step down from his position as a member of the state gaming control board.

State Representative Russ Diamond, of Lebanon County, says Gainey should resign after the release of that search warrant last week, which revealed more details about the district attorney’s investigation into city finances when Gainey was the mayor of Pittsburgh.

The warrant indicates the DA is looking at a wide range of issues, from allegations of no-bid contracts that benefitted Gainey supporters to purposely overestimating tax revenue to get more favorable bond ratings.

While the investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed, Diamond, who’s a republican, issued this statement today:

“No one is passing judgment on Commissioner Gainey. Rather, I simply believe this investigation might cast shade on the board at a time when we may be assigning it new and expanded duties that will impact the lives of thousands of Pennsylvanians.”

Diamond added it’s important for the board, which regulates casinos and gambling, to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.

11 investigates first reported back in February that Gainey, who lost the Democratic mayoral primary to Corey O’Connor last year, was appointed to the state gaming board at a salary of approximately $145,000 per year.

Channel 11 has reached out to Gainey, but has not heard back.

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