The former No. 2 Democrat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives was found guilty Monday night of 14 corruption-related charges following a six-week trial.Former state Rep. Mike Veon had been facing 59 counts related to public corruption while he held the post of Democratic Whip in the state House.
Prosecutors alleged that Veon orchestrated a scheme to pay state workers for doing campaign work on taxpayer time. Democrats took back control of the state House in 2006 thanks to Veon's efforts.
Two of Veon's former aides were also found guilty. A fourth defendant was acquitted of all charges.
Mark Scolforo, who has been covering the trial for The Associated Press, has been keeping score of the Bonusgate players:
The four defendants are among 25 people arrested since the attorney general's office began investigating three years ago with the news that millions of dollars in bonuses had been quietly handed out to legislative employees. Seven people previously pleaded guilty in the case, one was acquitted and 13 are awaiting trial.While not the slam dunk case Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett, who brought the charges, had hoped for, convictions of three of the four defendants will cement Corbett's reputation as a corruption-busing crusader.
Republican Corbett is running for Pennsylvania governor.
1 comment:
Let's see if the grand jury hands up more indictments. Names mentioned in trial still need to face a jury.
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