HARRISBURG -- Pressure is mounting for the removal of a state harness racing commissioner accused of benefitting from his wife's ownership of a horse that races on tracks the commission regulates.

State Sen. Gerald LaValle, D-Rochester, has added his voice to the call to remove Richard J. Bolte Sr. from the commission if he won't resign.

"The mere perception or appearance of impropriety cast by these allegations could seriously impact the expansion of gaming in Pennsylvania," Mr. LaValle said yesterday.

State Rep. Michael Veon, D-Beaver Falls, already has asked the governor and state inspector general to investigate alleged conflicts of interest if Mr. Bolte won't resign.

Gov. Ed Rendell is reviewing the request, said his spokeswoman, Kate Philips. A spokesman for the inspector general's office would not say whether an investigation is planned.

Mr. Veon is angry the commission last month rejected both applicants for the state's fourth and final harness racing license. Valley View Downs, favored by Mr. Veon, wanted to build a track in Beaver County, and Bedford Downs applied to build one in Lawrence County.

The license is especially valuable because whoever gets it also will be the likely recipient of a slots casino license.

Both applicants appealed the decision, and Mr. Veon called for all three commissioners to resign.

C. Edward Rogers did resign, citing a desire to race his own horse next year, something that commissioners aren't allowed to do.

Now Mr. Veon is focusing on Mr. Bolte, who does not live in Pennsylvania and whose wife is part-owner of a horse that races on tracks the commission regulates.

Mr. Bolte, 71, of Moorestown, N.J., has not responded to repeated requests for comment.

A spokesman for his Philadelphia-based shipping company BDP International would not say whether Mr. Bolte has been contacted about an investigation.

Mr. Bolte was appointed in November 2004. Two months later, he transferred ownership in the horse War Dance to his wife, Patricia. The horse has since raced in Pennsylvania four times and won a $23,644 purse at The Meadows in Washington County.

State law prevents only commissioners, not their families, from owning horses that race in Pennsylvania. Mr. Veon hopes to change that with new legislation, he said yesterday.

"I want to close this loophole. It's the right thing to do to restore confidence," he said. "There should be nothing that encourages the average person to doubt the ethics and integrity of the entire gaming industry or threaten public confidence."

Mr. Veon and Valley View Downs also are concerned about what they consider a conflict of interest involving the hearing process for track applications.

Mr. Bolte did not disclose a business relationship with two experts who testified on behalf of Bedford Downs.

"By reducing public confidence in the process implemented to select firms and establishments to whom gaming licenses will be eventually issued, the credibility of Pennsylvania's selection process will be challenged before it even begins," Mr. LaValle said.