Gov. Tom Corbett's office says his comments about a lack of Latinos on his staff were taken out of context to discredit him.
The first-term Republican said in response to a question at an Al Dia newsmedia-sponsored event in Philadelphia last week that he did not have any Latinos on his staff. Then he asked people at the forum to help him find one.
His office issued a statement Wednesday that said he was only referring to his immediate staff, a small group.
His press secretary, Kevin Harley, says Corbett has appointed "numerous" Latinos, including former Health Secretary Eli Avila.
At the forum, the governor also said increasing employment was "in the best interest of every nationality in Pennsylvania."
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
