Former Harrisburg Mayor Charged With Misusing Public Money

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Former Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed is facing corruption charges from an investigation of city finances under his 28-year tenure that left a debt-laden city careening toward bankruptcy and fizzled plans to make the city a historical tourism destination.

Reed was charged Tuesday with hundreds of counts, including criminal solicitation, theft and bribery. He was defeated in the 2008 primary. Attorney General Kathleen Kane says the investigation is ongoing.

Allegations revolve around Reed's misuse of public money from various city entities, partly to buy up hundreds of artifacts in a failed plan to open museums, including one for the Old West.

Reed says he'll fight the charges.

Reed left office as Harrisburg was staggering toward bankruptcy and became Pennsylvania's first municipality to be taken over by the state.