Philadelphia - 1735 Market Street is home to the law firm of Ballard Spahr. It reaches more than 50 stories into the Philadelphia sky - and it reaches into state coffers in Harrisburg.

At the request of abc27 News, the state Treasury Department released documents showing it paid at least $11 million over the past two years to Ballard Spahr for outside legal work.

"They did wonderful work. They worked very hard," said Chuck Ardo, a spokesman for Gov. Ed Rendell.

Ballard Spahr has a special relationship with the governor, who used to work there. His former chief of staff, John Estey, and former deputy chief of staff, Adrian King, currently work there.

Ken Jarin, a Ballard Spahr partner, was on Rendell's election committee. Records show he personally contributed nearly $100,000 to various Rendell campaigns. Ballard Spahr, LLP as a company donated nearly half a million dollars more.

"I think its obscene. I think its offensive and I think everyone should start looking carefully at how this governor has worked the state government for the benefit of a few select individuals down in Philadelphia," said Rep. Doug Reichley, R-Lehigh & Berks.

"It certainly smacks of cronyism and smacks of political back-scratching," said Matt Brouillette, president of the Commonwealth Foundation. "The ties are pretty deep and wide with that law firm and Gov. Rendell."

House Republicans are critical of the "contributions for contracts culture." They call it "pay to play."

"Those who get state contracts are expected to play the game and make political contributions to decision makers on those contracts," said Rep. Glen Grell, R-Cumberland.

The governor has at his disposal a list of nearly 500 staff attorney, costing taxpayers more than $43 million a year. Grell was one of those attorneys under Gov. Tom Ridge.

Grell says there are legitimate reasons to hire outside counsel, but winced when told some of Ballard Spahr's lawyers billed the state at $500, even $600, per hour.

"The going rate under the Ridge Administration for any outside attorney was capped at $180 to $185 an hour," Grell said.

"You wouldn't hire a surgeon by finding the lowest bidder," Ardo said. "You would find the surgeon most qualified to perform the kind of surgery you needed. The same thing is true with lawyers."

The state treasurer writes the checks and, in theory, monitors how your tax dollars are spent. After Bob Casey was elected to the U.S. Senate, Rendell appointed Robin Weissman, the wife of Ken Jarin, to Casey's former position. As state Treasurer, Mrs. Jarin oversaw payments to Mr. Jarin's law firm.

"I'm not about to say that there weren't improper things that took place before Gov. Rendell was elected, but it has mushroomed into a prevailing culture now within the state Capitol," Reichley said.

Ballard Spahr officials refused to comment for this report. The company has also donated tens of thousands of dollars to Republican Attorney General Tom Corbett, who may very well be the next governor.

Robin Wiessman is no longer the state treasurer. Rob McCord was elected to the post and took office in January.

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abc27 News would like to to acknowledge Harrisburg native and author Bill Keisling, who provided background for this report. His work can be found at www.yardbird.com.

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