Pennsylvania Grand Jury Says It Can’t Overcome Local Secrecy

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A grand jury in Lancaster, PA, said that secrecy embraced by top county officials kept it from completing an investigation into improprieties in the sale of a county-owned nursing home. Three commissioners did plead guilty to violating the state’s Sunshine Act but the panel said the culture of secrecy went beyond that: “Many (if not most) of the witnesses who testified regarding the secret and non-public meetings were found by the grand jurors to be either less than forthcoming or actively deceitful.’’ (1/11/07)