In touting the positive attributes of yesterday’s much anticipated verdicts in the “bonusgate” scandal trial, Attorney General Tom Corbett said “justice was served.” Attorney General Corbett also noted the fact that 10 of the 12 defendants have been convicted and yesterday’s verdict found three defendants guilty of 7 of the 11 criminal episodes. Attorney General Corbett also discussed the health care reform lawsuit, which he said will protect the 10th Amendment rights of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full write up.
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At a press conference this afternoon, Governor Rendell announced a new $1.2 billion mortgage program intended to help spur home purchases in 39 counties statewide. The initiative, a partnership between PHFA, the US Treasury, FannieMae and FreddieMac will offer 11,000 long-term (30-year), fixed rate, low-interest mortgage loans, expand the Keystone First program with an additional $10 million in funding, and provide $50 million for approximately 450 new-home construction loans. More details on the program are available on PHFA’s website. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story, including the governor’s latest comments on table games, possible layoffs, and Bonusgate. Posted by Mike | Tags: Ben Franklin Institutes, bonusgate, layoffs, mortgages, PHFA, resentencing guidelines, table games, undocumented workers | Category: Administration, Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced charges against Rep. Bill DeWeese, former Rep. Steve Stetler (and former Revenue Secretary as of 9:00 this morning) and DeWeese legislative aide Sharon Rodavich. Grand jury found DeWeese legislative staff were performing campaign work in his legislative district office. This marks the third round of charges in what has become known as “Bonusgate”. More details to come. Posted by Kim | Tags: Ben Franklin Institutes, bonusgate | Category: Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
Governor Rendell announced this afternoon that Harley Davidson’s board of directors met earlier in the day and have ratified a decision to remain at their York plant. He reported he is “gratified” by the news, but expressed disappointment that nearly 950 Harley workers will lose their jobs. By staying in York, Harley will receive $15.4 million in grant money from the state, a “very attractive package” the governor said helped beat back challenges from possible relocation sites in Kentucky and Indiana. The governor also offered comments on a variety of other issues, including Revenue Secretary Steve Stetler’s invitation to testify before a grand jury on the Bonusgate scandal, table games, rate caps, and the future of DPW Secretary Estelle Richman, who he said has been offered a job with the Obama Administration. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: Ben Franklin Institutes, bonusgate, Crime, DPW, Harley Davidson, Obama, rate caps, resentencing guidelines, table games, Transportation, vaccinations | Category: Administration, Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
Republican Floor Leader Sam Smith (R-Jefferson) met with reporters this afternoon to respond to questions surrounding the recent charges filed against former Speaker of the House, Rep. John Perzel (R-Philadelphia). When asked, Rep. Smith cautiously answered questions regarding his knowledge and involvement in renewing GCR and Aristotle contracts for the Republican Caucus, and told reporters that he always asked if the contracts were legal and to what legislative purpose they served. Rep. Smith indicated that after reviewing the allegations in Attorney General Tom Corbett’s presentment- if they are true, he can’t help but say in hindsight that he “should have seen something.” Rep. Smith also expressed disappointment with the allegations because he said he always believed the caucus spent a lot of time and effort in making sure campaigns and daily government operations were kept separate. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by intern | Tags: Ben Franklin Institutes, bonusgate | Category: Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
Attorney General Corbett announces criminal charges in second phase of legislative investigation; 10 suspects charged HARRISBURG – As part of an ongoing public corruption investigation into the Pennsylvania Legislature, agents from the Attorney General’s Public Corruption Unit today filed criminal charges against Representative John Perzel and former Republican Representative Brett Feese.  Also charged are eight current or former aides to Perzel and Feese. Attorney General Tom Corbett said the charges are part of an ongoing grand jury investigation into the misuse of public resources and employees for campaign purposes in the Pennsylvania Legislature. (Click here to review the grand jury report: Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3 ) Posted by Kim | Tags: Ben Franklin Institutes, bonusgate | Category: Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced the filing of charges against ten Republicans: Rep. John Perzel, Perzel’s former chief of staff Brian Preski; current chief of staff Paul Towhey; Perzel’s brother-in-law and former House employee Samual “Buzz” Stokes; Perzel legislative aide John Zimmerman; his campaign aide Don McClintock; as well as Feese aides Jill Seaman and Elmer Bowman and former GOP information technology deputy director Eric Ruth. Corbett says Perzel and Preski were the principle conspirators. Posted by Kim | Tags: Ben Franklin Institutes, bonusgate | Category: Senate Education, Update | Comments are closed | Share:
According to stories in both the Patriot News and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Attorney General Tom Corbett is expected to announce a second round of Bonusgate-related corruption charges this afternoon. The Patriot News’ Charlie Thompson reports that subjects of the filings could include Rep. John Perzel, (R-Philadelphia), his longtime chief of staff Brian J. Preski, and former House Republican chief counsel Brett Feese. Stay tuned to PLS for ongoing coverage. Posted by Mike | Tags: Ben Franklin Institutes, bonusgate | Category: Senate Education, Update | Comments are closed | Share:
Representative Paul Drucker (D-Chester) was joined by other reform-minded Representatives in announcing legislation aimed at increasing government transparency and accountability. Rep. Drucker’s bill would create a constitutional amendment to reform the way voting districts are drawn in Pennsylvania. Rep. Drucker is also joining Rep. Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks) in sponsoring a bill to require House members to pay 1% of their salary towards health-care benefits. Rep. Barbara McIlvaine Smith (D-Chester) announced she would introduce a bill to prohibit the issuing of bonuses to state employees, and Rep. Richard Mirabito (D-Lycoming) unveiled his intent to sponsor two bills, one of which will establish PennPORTAL, a searchable database of government expenditures, as well as a bill to restrict former legislators working for private companies being awarded state contracts. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information. Posted by intern | Tags: Ben Franklin Institutes, bonusgate, PennPortal, state contracts | Category: Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
Former House Minority Whip Mike Veon on Tuesday filed court documents alleging former caucus leader and now Majority Whip Bill DeWeese (D-Greene) engaged in the same illegal activity that led to Veon being charged with multiple counts of public corruption last year, The Associated Press reports. Attorney General Tom Corbett charged Veon and 11 other people connected to the House Democratic Caucus with misusing millions of dollars of taxpayer money for political gain. The investigation, which is still ongoing, has come to be known as “Bonusgate.” Veon is arguing the charges against him should be dropped because Corbett chose to selectively prosecute him and not others state officials who similarly committed crimes. The documents filed said Corbett’s political aspirations caused him to decide who should or shouldn’t be charged. The attorney general’s office denied the allegation. “Veon’s motion is full of frivolous allegations that will never stand up in court,” Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley told the AP. “In terms of DeWeese, what the attorney general has said from the beginning is that the investigation is continuing and we will follow the evidence wherever it leads.” A statement from DeWeese said the attorney general decides who is and isn’t prosecuted. Continue reading Veon Implicates DeWeese in 'Bonusgate' Posted by Mike | Tags: Ben Franklin Institutes, bonusgate | Category: LBFC, News and Views | Comments are closed | Share:
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