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Political ad showing Harrisburg police chief causing controversy

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Harrisburg Police Chief sent out a statement Wednesday saying he is not endorsing John DiSanto for State Senate. A flyer came out wi...

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Harrisburg Police Chief sent out a statement Wednesday saying he is not endorsing John DiSanto for State Senate.

A flyer came out with a picture of the chief and DiSanto shaking hands.

Carter sent out a statement saying, "I did not authorize my photo to be used in the political campaign of Mr. DiSanto, and have not publicly endorsed his candidacy."

But DiSanto said he has no knowledge of the ad until it was brought to his attention Wednesday morning. He said the flyer was sent out by a third party.

"I do know Chief Carter. I think he's doing a great job in the city. I've talked to him. I've asked him questions to help better understand issues in the city and I hope this does not damage my relationship with him or the city because I didn't have anything to do with it," DiSanto said.

The advertisement was paid for by Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania, or CAP. And State Sen. Rob Teplitz believes that group is associated with DiSanto.

Teplitz said, "That third party is an organization funded by Senator Scott Wagner who recruited Mr. DiSanto and is running his campaign."

But DiSanto said that's not true.

"I'm aware of CAP but I have no working relationship with them because it's prohibited. And I would just speak to Senator Teplitz. He has a number of pieces coming out from third party people that he's probably affiliated with," DiSanto said.

Nowhere in the ad does it say that Carter endorses DiSanto. Teplitz said he was the one who brought the ad to the mayor's attention.

"It was a lie. It was intended to imply that a public figure was endorsing a political campaign. And whether that's Chief Carter or anyone else it's not appropriate," Teplitz said.

DiSanto said he is disappointed in Teplitz's actions.

"He obviously should be aware as an elected official to understand where these sayings are being paid for and where they're coming from, and if he told the city that's my campaign, to me that's outright lying and it's dubious," DiSanto said.

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