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E. Christopher Abruzzo  who resigned today- Paul J. Gough photo

Pennsylvania DEP Secretary E. Christopher Abruzzo today announced his resignation, effective immediately.


In a news release, Abruzzo said his decision was "based on the best interest of the important mission of the Department of Environmental Protection."
“I thank Chris for his dedicated service to the people of Pennsylvania,” Gov. Tom Corbett said in the press release. “Our environment and natural resources are better protected today due to his leadership, as well as the hard work of the men and women of DEP.”
In his place Corbett appointed Dana Aunkst, Executive Deputy Secretary for Programs, as acting secretary.

Abruzzo was one of at eight prominent state officials, including the head of the state police and a former spokesman for Gov. Corbett, who sent or received hundreds of sexually explicit photos, videos, and messages from state e-mail accounts between 2008 and 2012, according to documents made available last week by the state Attorney General’s Office.

The scandal was a political embarrassment for Republican Tom Corbett who, in his re-election campaign for governor, significantly trails Democrat Tom Wolf, the former Pennsylvania Secretary of Revenue,
Abruzzo is the only one of the eight caught up in the email scandal to resign to date.
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