Veon fingers DeWeese in court papers

Former Pennsylvania House Democratic Leader Bill DeWeese engaged in the same illegal activities that led to criminal charges against 12 underlings, according to court documents filed on behalf of former state Rep. Mike Veon, who served as DeWeese's right-hand man, reports Mark Scolforo of The Associated Press.

From Scolforo's story on the ongoing Bonusgate corruption case:

In the filing, Veon said prosecutors' own investigative materials show that DeWeese and his staff did many of the same things that prompted the charges. As a result, Veon said the charges against him should be dropped.

Veon served as whip while DeWeese was Democratic floor leader for many years before Veon lost re-election in 2006. The new filing is the first public sign that the investigation has caused a rift between the two.

Veon and 11 others associated with the House Democratic caucus were charged last summer with theft, conflict of interest and conspiracy in what prosecutors say was a scheme to divert public resources and state employees for campaigning or other improper purposes.

DeWeese, who bowed to political pressure and stepped down as the House Democratic leader in January of this year, is still part of the Democratic leadership team. He has not been charged with any criminal wrongdoing but his name continues to surface in the ongoing corruption investigation.

After millions of dollars in bonus payments were allegedly made to Democratic House staffers for political work, the Democrats regained majority control of the state House in 2006 after 12 years of Republican control.