Custodian blames corruption for Harrisburg woes

The state-appointed custodian overseeing the finances of Pennsylvania’s capital says the city’s fiscal crisis is the result of 20 years of corruption and mismanagement.

The Patriot-News reported Thursday that custodian David Unkovic didn’t accuse any individual, but raised his voice and banged his fist during court testimony as he blamed a series of complicated schemes involving large amounts of borrowing.
Unkovic spoke Wednesday at a hearing in U.S. District Court as part of a legal challenge to the state’s five-month-old takeover law that paved the way for Unkovic’s appointment. He said the city’s finances were “a house of cards” and that they’re all coming down at the same time.

Earlier this month the city skipped a $5 million bond payment to ensure it could maintain essential public services.