Beef

Power-Tripping Secretary of Health Denies Egg-Gate Allegations

Maybe the whole thing's been eggs-aggerated.
Maybe the whole thing’s been eggs-aggerated. Photo: iStockPhoto

Looks like Egg-Gate is turning into a hot scrambled mess. And today the Inky reports that state Secretary of Health Eli Avila is firing back at claims that in an epic power-tripping tantrum over an egg sandwich last year, he threatened a Harrisburg diner owner by shouting at him, “Do you know who I am? I am the secretary of health!” As the story goes, health inspectors were subsequently dispatched to Roxy’s Diner, where the incident is reported to have taken place, prompted by a call from Avila’s office. And that’s just half of it.

In addition to sending a complaint to Governor Corbett’s office, charging that Avila was abusing his power, the diner’s owner Richard Hanna has also filed a lawsuit against the secretary. Hanna’s beef is, Avila blocked his effort to secure a lucrative contract with the state Capitol cafeteria. He’s seeking $500,000 in damages.

Avila denies ever threatening Hanna, stating that after the argument overt the eggs, he simply left the diner without saying who he was.

State official insists he’s blameless in ‘egg-gate’ flap [Inquirer]

Earlier: Dispute About Eggs Not Going Over Easy in Harrisburg

Power-Tripping Secretary of Health Denies Egg-Gate Allegations