paulitician
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- Oct 7, 2011
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A jury convicted former Pennsylvania House Democratic leader Bill DeWeese on Monday of theft, conspiracy, and other charges, but he said he would not give up his seat and would continue to seek reelection, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
I certainly feel I did nothing wrong, DeWeese insisted after a 12-person jury found him guilty of five of six charges brought against him by the state Attorney Generals Office. He was acquitted of one theft charge.
The legislator said that he believed a jury from his district of southwestern Pennsylvania would have acquitted him of all charges and that he hoped they will vote for him again this year.
DeWeese intends to continue showing up for work, he said, because he is still a member of the General Assembly.
Bonusgate, as the case has been known, stemmed from reports that Pennsylvania House Democrats were being paid with taxpayers money to do political campaign work. Prosecutors accused DeWeese of directing and forcing his staffers to do much of that work.
A total of 25 defendants were tried for Bonusgate-related offenses. Six legislators and staffers, including DeWeese, have been convicted; two were acquitted; 15 pleaded guilty; and one saw charges dropped.
One remaining defendant, former Democratic State Rep. Steve Stetler, will be tried later this year. He has served as the states revenue secretary.
Because of his conviction, DeWeese, who earns an $82,000 salary, will lose his state pension. He will also lose his seat in the house once he is sentenced.
Read more: Bill DeWeese | House Democratic Leader | Theft | The Daily Caller
I certainly feel I did nothing wrong, DeWeese insisted after a 12-person jury found him guilty of five of six charges brought against him by the state Attorney Generals Office. He was acquitted of one theft charge.
The legislator said that he believed a jury from his district of southwestern Pennsylvania would have acquitted him of all charges and that he hoped they will vote for him again this year.
DeWeese intends to continue showing up for work, he said, because he is still a member of the General Assembly.
Bonusgate, as the case has been known, stemmed from reports that Pennsylvania House Democrats were being paid with taxpayers money to do political campaign work. Prosecutors accused DeWeese of directing and forcing his staffers to do much of that work.
A total of 25 defendants were tried for Bonusgate-related offenses. Six legislators and staffers, including DeWeese, have been convicted; two were acquitted; 15 pleaded guilty; and one saw charges dropped.
One remaining defendant, former Democratic State Rep. Steve Stetler, will be tried later this year. He has served as the states revenue secretary.
Because of his conviction, DeWeese, who earns an $82,000 salary, will lose his state pension. He will also lose his seat in the house once he is sentenced.
Read more: Bill DeWeese | House Democratic Leader | Theft | The Daily Caller
