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Ten more people have been charged in an alleged scheme that used taxpayer dollars to try to win political campaigns.
The state attorney general said more than $10 million of taxpayer money was used illegally to help Republican campaigns.
Ten people, including a current state representative and a former lawmaker from Lycoming County, now face charges.
Investigators described Representative John Perzel, a Republican from Philadelphia, as the architect behind the alleged misuse of taxpayer money for campaign purposes.
In Harrisburg Thursday afternoon Attorney General Tom Corbett announced the charges against the 10, all with ties to the House Republican caucus.
Corbett said Perzel, former speaker of the House, used millions in taxpayer dollars to buy voter information and create computer software in an attempt to win GOP campaigns. Investigators said he won a narrow reelection bid in 2000 and vowed never to come that close again. One computer program was appropriately called "The Edge."
"Once the foundation of Perzel's illegal scheme was in place, the grand jury found Perzel went to great lengths to maintain control and expand his power through illegal means," Corbett said. "Neither the House Republican Campaign Committee nor Perzel's campaign every paid for the software. (It) was all paid for by taxpayers."
Also charged was former State Representative Brett Feese of Lycoming County. He has been charged with obstructing justice during the investigation that started in 2007.
The state attorney general claims Feese used his role as attorney for the House Republican caucus to cover up the schemes.
"The notes take great pains to state that Feese had no idea that these illegal activities had been occurring and stand in stark contrast with evidence and testimony before the grand jury. The grand jury found that the handwritten notes produced by Feese and Seaman were created for the intentional purpose of obstructing and hindering this investigation," Corbett said.
Also charged were eight other former and current aides of representatives Perzel and Feese, including Feese's aide, Jill Seaman, referred to by Corbett.
All 10 people charged Thursday are expected to turn themselves in Friday to face charges of theft and obstruction of justice.
Newswatch 16 attempted to contact Representative Feese's attorney. Those calls were not returned.
The state attorney general said more than $10 million of taxpayer money was used illegally to help Republican campaigns.
Ten people, including a current state representative and a former lawmaker from Lycoming County, now face charges.
Investigators described Representative John Perzel, a Republican from Philadelphia, as the architect behind the alleged misuse of taxpayer money for campaign purposes.
In Harrisburg Thursday afternoon Attorney General Tom Corbett announced the charges against the 10, all with ties to the House Republican caucus.
Corbett said Perzel, former speaker of the House, used millions in taxpayer dollars to buy voter information and create computer software in an attempt to win GOP campaigns. Investigators said he won a narrow reelection bid in 2000 and vowed never to come that close again. One computer program was appropriately called "The Edge."
"Once the foundation of Perzel's illegal scheme was in place, the grand jury found Perzel went to great lengths to maintain control and expand his power through illegal means," Corbett said. "Neither the House Republican Campaign Committee nor Perzel's campaign every paid for the software. (It) was all paid for by taxpayers."
Also charged was former State Representative Brett Feese of Lycoming County. He has been charged with obstructing justice during the investigation that started in 2007.
The state attorney general claims Feese used his role as attorney for the House Republican caucus to cover up the schemes.
"The notes take great pains to state that Feese had no idea that these illegal activities had been occurring and stand in stark contrast with evidence and testimony before the grand jury. The grand jury found that the handwritten notes produced by Feese and Seaman were created for the intentional purpose of obstructing and hindering this investigation," Corbett said.
Also charged were eight other former and current aides of representatives Perzel and Feese, including Feese's aide, Jill Seaman, referred to by Corbett.
All 10 people charged Thursday are expected to turn themselves in Friday to face charges of theft and obstruction of justice.
Newswatch 16 attempted to contact Representative Feese's attorney. Those calls were not returned.
