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William P. Conaboy, who became embroiled in a hiring controversy at the fledgling agency, abruptly resigned Friday.

He cited the need to devote more time to his position as a health care executive in Scranton. Conaboy was one of two board members - along with Joseph W. Marshall III - who kept private sector jobs while serving as gambling regulators.

"Bill served the people of Pennsylvania with distinction and integrity," control board Chairman Tad Decker said in a statement. "My fellow board members and I will miss his diligence, his honesty and his sense of humor, and we wish him well."

A cousin of Conaboy's wife had been hired by the board as a deputy press secretary. Conaboy had recommended the relative, Kevin Eckenrode, 25, for a position as a press aide.

Eckenrode was charged with murder last month after his girlfriend fell from the window of his 23-story apartment in Harrisburg. Rachel Kozlusky, 23, plunged to her death after the two had been on a two-day drinking spree, officials said.

Conaboy, vice president and general counsel at Allied Services in Lackawanna County, turned in his resignation to Senate Minority Leader Robert Mellow, who had appointed him to a two-year term in July 2004.

Tess Candori, a spokeswoman for Mellow, D-Lackawanna County, denied that Conaboy's resignation had anything to do with Eckenrode's hiring. Rather, she said, "it was a matter of time constraints."

Gov. Ed Rendell said yesterday he doubted the resignation was connected to Eckenrode. "I actually think it was the work. It really is a lot of work to be on that board."

Mellow probably will announce a replacement within the next few days, Candori said.

Neither Conaboy nor Gaming Control Board spokesman Nick Hays could be reached.

In a statement, Conaboy said the "demands at my position at Allied are growing at the same time public hearings and deliberations (on gaming) are about to begin."

Allied Services, based in Clarks Summit, provides health care and other services to the elderly and disabled.

Conaboy is the son of federal Judge Richard P. Conaboy of Scranton.

Mellow said Conaboy, a former staff attorney for the senator, "has been a major contributor to the launch of a vital new industry in Pennsylvania."

Kozlusky's death prompted a review by the board of its hiring practices. State Sen. Jane Orie, R-McCandless, also introduced legislation that would impose more stringent controls on the board's hiring practices, including a ban on nepotism.

Control board members earn $145,000 a year.

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