'Fast Eddie owns up to slots haul'

From The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's "Whispers" column:

Gamblin' Gov. Ed Rendell failed to disclose a day of good fortune at the Harrah's Chester Casino & Racetrack last year to the state Ethics Commission.

Rendell last week was forced to update his financial disclosure forms after neglecting to note his $2,000 in slot machine winnings, The Associated Press reported.

The commission regards gambling winnings as income, and any winnings of more than $1,300 annually must be disclosed.

Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo said the omission was unintentional and attributed it to a "clerical oversight." It quickly was corrected, as matters such as this usually are, after the pesky media began asking questions about it.

How did Rendell spend the windfall?

After paying taxes on the winnings, apparently there wasn't much money left. The governor reportedly gave two state troopers who serve as his bodyguards $100 gift certificates and gave his wife, Midge Rendell, some shopping money.

What? He didn't even buy himself a cheesesteak?

Read more about Pennsylvania politics at the newspaper's Web site.