HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – The former mayor of Pennsylvania’s capital city faces wide-ranging corruption charges, including allegations he unlawfully used public money from various agencies to buy hundreds of artifacts for a planned Wild West museum and other historical attractions.
Prosecutors say the artifacts purchased by Stephen Reed included a vampire hunting kit and a sarcophagus and were obtained as he made taxpayer-funded trips across the country.
Reed was charged Tuesday with hundreds of counts, including criminal solicitation, theft and bribery. He said he will fight the charges.
The 65-year-old Democrat presided over Harrisburg’s near financial collapse during his 28 years in office, ending in early 2010.
Prosecutors say many artifacts bought by Reed with public funds were recovered from his home and office in poor condition because they were improperly stored.