HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania's state treasurer is suing the state Gaming Control Board and seeking a court order affirming his right to attend the board's public and private meetings.

Treasurer Rob McCord said in the suit filed today in Commonwealth Court that state law entitles him or his designee to all the privileges of regular board members except voting.

McCord's lawsuit charges that the board has discouraged his participation and sought to block the treasurer's office from attending its closed-door executive sessions.

McCord, who took office last year, says gaming regulation in particular needs as much independent oversight as it can get.

Gaming board spokesman Doug Harbach says McCord is invited to the meetings as long as he agrees to the same ethics and confidentiality standards that board members do.

By The Associated Press