Scirotto fallout spurs Pittsburgh council to grill nominees under oath for top city posts

Candidates tapped to lead Pittsburgh’s departments and bureaus will now have to answer City Council’s questions under oath.

Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the legislation, which Councilman Anthony Coghill, D-Beechview, introduced.

The bill was prompted by concerns that former police Chief Larry Scirotto might have dodged questions and provided untruthful answers during an interview with council members who would later approve his nomination.

Scirotto had told council he would give up a second job refereeing NCAA basketball to focus on his duties as police chief.

Officials later revealed, however, that Scirotto had a secret agreement with the mayor to let him return to officiating — something council members said they wished they had known before confirming his appointment.

Now, prospective bureau chiefs and department directors will have to answer questions under oath, something Scirotto was not required to do.

Coghill said he hopes the measure will inspire more candor.

He also believes anyone who lies to council under oath could be fired or have benefits revoked.

“We’re not doing it to prosecute anybody necessarily, but we are doing it so we have truth at the table,” Coghill said.