HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A Democratic state legislator from southwestern Pennsylvania was arraigned Wednesday on charges of using state employees for campaign work.
Rep. Bill DeWeese is the latest lawmaker caught up in a massive investigation by state Attorney General Tom Corbett, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported. While Corbett is a Republican, members of both parties have been charged.
A former aide, Sharon Rodavich, who was in charge of DeWeese campaigns, and former state Revenue Secretary Steve Stetler, who once served in the legislature, were indicted with DeWeese and appeared in court with him. All three are charged with theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest.
Corbett said Tuesday the indictment charges DeWeese's campaign and legislative staffs were "virtually one and the same." He said the grand jury found Rodavich's salary was paid from state funds.
Stetler, who resigned as secretary after his indictment Tuesday, was formerly head of the state House Democratic Campaign Committee. He allegedly rejected a plan to hire an outside company to do opposition research, instead having state-paid staff do the work.
