Auditor general to probe manners contract


March 15, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — State Auditor General Jack Wagner is getting involved in the flap over a $173,000 contract to teach state liquor store employees how to be more courteous to customers.

The contract went to a Pittsburgh firm called Solutions 21, whose president is married to a regional manager of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

Some legislators raised questions about possible preferential treatment, and Gov. Ed Rendell recently said that any apparent conflict should be investigated.

Liquor board Chairman Patrick Stapleton asked Wagner to look into the case. Wagner said Friday he’ll conduct a thorough review to ensure that the contract was properly awarded according to state law.

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