Posts Tagged ‘Bonusgate’

Inquirer: DeWeese invokes Fifth Amendment rights

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

State Rep. Bill DeWeese, the former House Majority Leader, evoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination this morning in a private meeting with the judge presiding over the corruption trial of his onetime legislative colleague Mike Veon.

Defense begins case in ‘Bonusgate’ trial

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) ― One current and one former state lawmaker took the stand in the public corruption trial of their former colleague Mike Veon on Monday, telling jurors about the card games and taxpayer-catered meals Veon once hosted in his legislative office.

9 lawmakers on Veon trial defense list

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Defense attorneys in the public corruption trial of former Rep. Mike Veon (D., Beaver) and three ex-aides want to question the lawmakers and legislative staff aides. This week, Dauphin County Judge Richard Lewis threw out subpoenas issued to state Senate and House Republicans, but has not ruled on the House Democrats.

Ex-campaign coordinator testifies

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

HARRISBURG – A former campaign coordinator for Democrats in the Pennsylvania House testified yesterday that his candidates had saved more than $1 million by being able to use the legislature’s taxpayer-supplied high-volume e-mail system.

PoliticsPA’s Up & Down: 2/26 Edition

Friday, February 26th, 2010

In this week’s Up & Down, Joe Sestak frustrates staffers and reporters alike, Manan Trivedi lands a big endorsement in Chester Co., and, apparently, former Rep. Melissa Hart needs to get her car washed.

Rep. Galloway: Corbett not indicting political allies

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

As the corruption trial for one of Pennsylvania’s most powerful Democrats started Monday, state Rep. John Galloway accused Attorney General Tom Corbett of “playing politics” with the prosecution.

In a meeting with the Courier Times Editorial Board last week, Galloway spoke of “real corruption happening in Harrisburg” and accused both parties of using tax money and resources for political campaigns.

Politics as Usual: DeWeese, Bonusgate, and the demon sheep

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Better late than never, here’s this week’s edition of Pennsylvania’s Only State Government Podcast™.

In the pod this week, we muse on the latest round of legislative retirements and Bill DeWeese’s re-election announcement; sift through the latest in gubernatorial gossip and gaze at the wonder that is the Bonusgate Trial

DeWeese to seek re-election

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Saying there is too much at stake for families in his state House district, Rep. Bill DeWeese, D-Greene, issued a news release today stating his intention to seek re-election to the seat he has held for over three decades.

Veon attorney moves for mistrial

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

HARRISBURG — Attorneys for former state Rep. Mike Veon said today they may ask a judge to declare a mistrial in the Bonusgate public corruption trial because of a key government witness’s testimony.

They are alleging that either prosecutors withheld discovery evidence or their key witness Michael Manzo perjured himself.

Pay fiasco fueled bonuses, aide says of Veon

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

HARRISBURG — Former top House Democratic staffer Michael Manzo testified Tuesday that the aborted legislative pay raise of 2005 was a key factor in boosting the cost of a secret taxpayer-funded bonus program to help incumbents win re-election.