Former Harrisburg financial custodian calls for criminal probe

(Harrisburg) -- The former financial custodian for Pennsylvania's cash-strapped capital says the state legislature should appoint an independent prosecutor to examine how Harrisburg's finances became so badly bungled.

Former Harrisburg Receiver David Unkovic told the state Senate Committee on Local Government there should be a criminal investigation into the city's crushing debt.

The panel is examining the manner in which Harrisburg accumulated more than $300 million in debt tied to an incinerator renovation project.

Unkovic says he was shocked by the bond documents he reviewed following a state takeover and believed there may have been fraud attached to a city special projects fund.

Unkovic resigned in March citing ``political and ethical crosswinds'' that made it impossible for him to continue in the job.