Just what Pennsylvania doesn't need another sensational story of misconduct. On the heels of the Jerry Sandusky-Penn State fiasco, which "Sports Illustrated" called the worst college sports scandal of all time, Pennsylvania is now dealing with what could become one of the largest mayoral scandals in recent history.

The home of Stephen Reed, ex-mayor of Harrisburg, was searched by investigators who found world-class antiques and artifacts allegedly purchased by Reed using money diverted from the Harrisburg Authority.The mayor, a Democrat, served 28 years and had gained the public trust.Tapping into that respect, he went on to orchestrate an elaborate plan to establish Pennsylvania's seat of government as a new museum center.Reed's plan was to create five world-class repositories: an African-American history museum, a sports hall of fame, a Wild West museum, a Civil War museum and National Fire Museum.He traveled the country and paid top dollar for all kinds of exquisite artifacts: a Sumerian bead necklace, Egyptian mummy paraphernalia, a complete Wells Fargo wagon, memorabilia from the French Revolution and World War II all of this costing millions of dollars.He even purchased vampire hunting items, prompting some to wonder if a Dracula museum was in the offing.His treasures included extensive collections of the Old West, such as tokens from legends Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. He paid $8.3 million for the 10,000-item collection.After his shopping sprees, he'd send a city worker and a uniformed police officer to travel out West to retrieve the items. Money appeared to be no object.Agents say Reed's cash came from bond fee proceeds and other nontax funds of the Harrisburg Authority's "special projects fund."So Reed had endless coffers from which to draw, despite the fact he represented a city in which more than of the population lives below poverty level.After his ploy began to unravel, details of his shopping addiction came to light, along with an attempt to sell off some of the loot. An initial auction of his purchases was held in Dallas, Texas, to recoup some of the money. But it didn't do too well. When the final gavel fell, items from the $8.3 million Old West collection netted only $1.66 million.As it stands, Reed has been charged with corruption. His attorney, Henry Hockeimer Jr., said charges might be the result of political agendas rather than a search for justice.But Attorney General Kathleen Kane, a fellow Democrat, said there's more to come. She said there's been misconduct by others, too, and additional charges will be announced.Nobody is quite sure where Museumgate will end. And to think all of this happened in front of the eyes of the country's largest full-time legislature.It's enough to make a vampire vanish into the shadows. At the very least, it's another black eye for Pennsylvania, or another dent in the state's image. As for Harrisburg, it's probably time to focus on practical issues and leave Dracula in Transylvania.By DONALD R. SERFASSdserfass@tnonline.com