Dauphin County Commissioner says he can’t talk about grand jury investigation

(Harrisburg) — A probe into the city of Harrisburg’s financial woes appears to be picking up, but few details are publicly available.

Dauphin County Commissioner Jeff Haste was seen in Pittsburgh earlier this week, and PennLive is reporting he was summoned by a grand jury.

The panel is investigating debt deals that ultimately prompted a state takeover of Harrisburg’s city government.

But you won’t hear Haste say that.

“You know I can’t say anything, I’m under a gag order.”

After being repeatedly questioned about the grand jury proceedings, Haste responded more or less the same way all nine times, even when asked about his opinion.

“When somebody uh what, I’m under a gag order.”

Haste was one of the county commissioners who signed off on the county guaranteeing debt issued to finance a retrofit of the city’s incinerator more than a decade ago.

He says he feels like New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichik, who rarely offers information to the media.

“I understand him though. When you are instructed by a judge, and they make it very clear what happens if you violate it, I get the message,” says Haste.

PennLive also reported former Mayor Linda Thompson and two of her aides were subpoenaed to testify.

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse testified last year, and says he hasn’t been called again.

“I’m not at all surprised by the individuals that were reported to have been there,” he says.

Papenfuse also says no one from his administration has been summoned to Pittsburgh for the grand jury proceedings, as far as he knows.