HARRISBURG — A Dauphin County judge Tuesday refused to throw out thousands of e-mails prosecutors plan to use as evidence at trial against former state House Democratic Whip Mike Veon.

Lawyers selected six jurors in the first day of jury selection for Veon, formerly of Beaver Falls, on charges he oversaw payments of $1.3 million in secret taxpayer-paid bonuses to legislative staffers for campaign work. Common Pleas Judge Richard Lewis expects to seat the panel of 12 jurors plus alternates this week.

Prosecutors from the state Attorney General’s Office said eliminating the e-mails would compromise their case against Veon and three co-defendants. Lewis will permit Veon’s lawyers to challenge e-mails individually. The defense contends that without a complete e-mail string, prosecutors could paint an inaccurate picture.

Veon’s lawyer, Joel Sansone of Pittsburgh, called the order “a pure win” for the defense. Patrick J. Blessington, the lead prosecutor trying the case, declined comment.

Read the full Tribune-Review story here.

Tags: Bonusgate, Mike Veon

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