Pa. Rep. DeWeese convicted on 5 corruption counts

HARRISBURG, Pa - February 6, 2012 (WPVI) -- A once-powerful Democratic Pennsylvania lawmaker has been convicted on five of six corruption charges relating to allegations that he required taxpayer-paid staff members to work on his election campaigns as part of their jobs.

Rep. Bill DeWeese was convicted Monday on three of four counts of theft and one each of conspiracy and conflict of interest. His lawyer vowed to appeal the verdict and DeWeese said he would seek re-election.

The former Democratic House leader was one of the last to be charged among the 25 people connected to the House Democratic and Republican caucuses who were arrested in a 5-year-old state corruption investigation.

The 61-year-old Greene County lawmaker was the only sitting legislator to go to trial.

DeWeese had been a member of House Democratic leadership for two decades.

Get more Crime »

pennsylvania, corruption, trial, harrisburg, crime

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•