STATEMENT: PA GOP Chairman on Governor Wolf’s Political Cronyism

 

HARRISBURG — Today, Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Val DiGiorgio issued the following statement on Governor Wolf’s ongoing political cronyism:

“Governor Wolf doling out a sweetheart deal to one of his top political aides only fourteen months after leaving the administration is beyond outrageous. Mr. Hanger is now converting that government contract into a $20 million dollar payday for himself thanks to the help of hardworking Pennsylvania taxpayers — this is unacceptable.

“Rewarding political confidants is becoming business as usual for Governor Wolf. Keystone State voters will hold Governor Wolf accountable for his political cronyism.”

— Val DiGiorgio, Chairman, Republican Party of Pennsylvania

 

Background:

February 19, 2017 

Office of The Governor’s website:

John Hanger is leaving the administration…John’s service to my administration has been invaluable, and it is difficult to see John leave his current position. I have known John for many years and I am glad that John will continue to provide me the benefit of his counsel and expertise in the years ahead,” said Governor Tom Wolf.

Read full release: Wolf Administration Announces Staff Changes

October 4, 2017

Sam Wood 

Philadelphia Inquirer

Shortly after the Pennsylvania Department of Health awarded a dozen permits to grow cannabis in June, email pitches went out touting that some of those potentially lucrative licenses were already for sale. The state immediately tried to put the kibosh on them…Late Monday, a confidential prospectus was delivered to the Inquirer. The document includes an offer to sell 100 percent of Franklin Labs LLC, the company that won one of the 12 permits, for $20 million. Franklin Labs is helmed by John Hanger, a former Democratic candidate for governor who once served as an adviser to Gov. Wolf. Hanger was not available for comment.

Read full article: Want to grow marijuana? Company selling permit for $20M

September 7, 2014 

The Associated Press

Penn Live

TOP 10 DONORS TO TOM WOLF

  • Pennsylvania State Education Association, $500,000

Read full article: Who are the top donors to Tom Corbett, Tom Wolf campaigns?: An AP analysis

July 21, 2017 

The Associated Press

Penn Live

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is turning to the leader of the state’s largest teachers’ union to be his next secretary of labor. Wolf on Friday nominated special education teacher Jerry Oleksiak to succeed Kathy Manderino as the head of the Department of Labor and Industry. The 64-year-old Oleksiak is currently president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, which has 180,000 members.

Read full article: Wolf nominates teachers’ union head to be labor secretary

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