Frankie Cordeira Jr.

Description: Governor revokes Lt. Gov security after abuse complaints... HARRISBURG -- Saying he took "no delight" in the decision Gov. Wolf on Friday abruptly yanked the state police detail assigned to Lt. Gov. Mike Stack and scaled back staffing at his taxpayer-funded residence. In a short statement Wolf's spokesman J.J. Abbott said Wolf met personally with Stack to hand-deliver a letter informing him of the move. The eight-line letter did not explain why he deemed it necessary to take the step except that he he believed "it is a necessary step to protect Commonwealth employees." A spokesman for Stack could not be immediately reached for comment Friday afternoon. Wolf's move opened a new and dramatic front in what has been a simmering - if not publicly-known - rift between the state's two top Democrats men ostensibly expected to run as a team next year. Though they ran as a ticket in November 2014 Wolf did not choose Stack as his running mate and their relationship since has been distant. But the move follows a state Inspector General's office investigation requested by Wolf into complaintsthat Stack and his wife Tonya had repeatedly verbally abused members of the State Police detail that protect them as well as staffers who help maintain their official residence. The couple have lived at the Fort Indiantown Gap residence since 2015 after selling their Northeast Philadelphia home. It is not clear when the Inspector General's report will be completed or whether it will be made public. After news of the probe surfaced Stack last weekapologized and pledged both he and his wife would try harder. Later sources confirmed that Wolfs office had repeatedly warned the lieutenant governor and Wolf said he had personally delivered such awarning. Pennsylvania state government has had offered its highest level officials a police detail since the early 1940s. Like many states it provides escorts and protection 24 hours a day seven days a week. The duties include transporting the governor and lieutenant governor and surveying and securing places where they are scheduled to appear. They also provide security at the governor's and lieutenant governor's residences. But for the lieutenant governor that protection has been provided as a courtesy according to Wolf's office. Published: April 21 2017 3:54 PM EDT Thanks for your continued support... We recently asked you to support our journalism. The response in a word is heartening. You have encouraged us in our mission to provide quality news and watchdog journalism. Some of you have even followed through with subscriptions which is especially gratifying. Our role as an independent fact-based news organization has never been clearer. And our promise to you is that we will always strive to provide indispensable journalism to our community. Subscriptions are available for home delivery of the print edition and for a digital replica viewable on your mobile device or computer. Subscriptions start as low as 25 per day.We're thankful for your support in every way.
By Frankie Cordeira Jr.
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