Pennsylvania State Workers Fired In Wake Of West Philadelphia Abortion Probe
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett has fired some state workers and suspended others in the wake of a far-reaching investigation of a West Philadelphia abortion clinic by a Philadelphia grand jury.
Other workers in the Pennsylvania Department of State and Department of Health have also tendered their resignations after the grand jury found that a lack of governmental oversight allowed illegal and harmful conditions to persist at the clinic of Dr. Kermit Gosnell, who is now charged with eight counts of murder (see related story).
Today, Gov. Corbett (right) announced that six additional individuals in the departments of state and health are no longer employed by the commonwealth, having either resigned or been fired.
Earlier, three employees named in the grand jury report had quit. Action is pending against eight others.
Corbett called the situation "despicable," saying this was a case not of government running amok but rather not running at all. He said that any facility that fails to report a serious incident will face fines of up to $1,000 a day.
The governor added that abortion clinics throughout the state will be inspected annually, and there will be additional unannounced, random inspections.
Later, Philadelphia district attorney Seth Williams issued a statement that said in part, "I applaud the governor for his quick and decisive actions. While my office is addressing the criminal activity charged in this case, Governor Corbett's leadership is holding people within state government accountable."
Reported by KYW Newsradio Harrisburg Bureau chief Tony Romeo.
