Liquor board investigated for ‘improper relations’

A federal investigation is underway to discover whether the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board had “improper relationships” with its wine and spirits partners.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is being investigated for “improper relationships” with vendors

As reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, a federal grand jury is examining issues after four former Liquor Control Board (LCB) officials were found in breach of the Ethics Act and Liquor Code by accepting gifts and trips from alcohol vendors, which were not disclosed in the board’s financial reports.

Citing anonymous sources, the Tribune-Review reports that the probe is exploring issues raised by the Pennsylvania Ethics Commission.

The gifts and trips allegedly lavished on senior LCB officials gave vendors access to those responsible for which wines and spirits would be stocked across the state’s 600 liquor stores.

Earlier this year, the Ethics Commission ruled that four former LCB executives violated the state’s Ethics Act and Liquor Code, but a grand jury is now investigating matters further.

The four officials found in breach of the law included the board’s former marketing director James Short Jr., former board chairman Patrick ‘P.J.’ Stapleton, former CEO Joe Conti and former director of product selection Matthew Schwenk.

All were ordered to repay more than US$23,000 collectively and file financial interests.