Josh Shapiro

Josh Shapiro’s career as a public official has been marked by several controversies, though he has not been charged with or convicted of criminal corruption, fraud, or bribery. Key reported controversies include: Sexual Harassment Allegation: In 2023, Shapiro’s administration reached a $295,000 settlement with an accuser regarding sexual harassment allegations against his top legislative liaison, Mike Vereb. Critics, including political opponents, have accused the administration of attempting to downplay or cover up the scandal, as Vereb did not resign until months after an internal complaint was filed. Private School Vouchers: Shapiro faced significant political backlash from within his own party and teachers' unions for initially supporting a Republican-backed $100 million school voucher program in 2023. He later line-item vetoed the program after failing to secure support from the state House, drawing ire from both Democrats and Republicans for his handling of the deal. Security Upgrades: Shapiro’s administration is currently embroiled in a dispute over the use of over $1 million in public funds for security and maintenance at his private family home following an arson attack on the state-owned governor’s mansion. State Treasurer Stacy Garrity has refused to pay the costs, citing a lack of legal authority to use taxpayer money for improvements to non-state-owned property. Transparency and Records: Shapiro’s office is currently involved in a legal dispute regarding transparency. The administration has submitted sworn statements claiming the governor has never browsed the internet on state devices, a claim critics argue defies common sense. The state's Office of Open Records rejected previous attestations as conclusory and insufficient. Labor and Political Clashes: Shapiro has faced accusations, which he denies, that he pressured labor unions to support Republican candidates over Democrats who were critical of him during the 2024 election cycle. Additionally, he experienced a high-profile, strained relationship with U.S. Senator John Fetterman while they both served on the Board of Pardons, primarily over disagreements regarding the frequency of commutations.