Wednesday, October 08, 2008

PA State Representative DeWeese Knew Illegal Bonuses Paid Political Work

Says former chief of staff to state House Democrat Representative H. William DeWeese, majority leader.

Update

House majority leader denies allegations
By Amy Revak, Herald-Standard
10/09/2008
Updated 10/09/2008 10:53:52 AM EDT

House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese called his past chief of staff a desperate, disgruntled former employee whom he fired for "dishonesty and self-dealing" after Michael Manzo testified in court Wednesday that DeWeese knew bonuses were paid to reward legislative employees for their help on political campaigns. Manzo made the accusation during a preliminary hearing for two people charged with using state workers and equipment for campaigns. The statement marks the first time anyone has publicly accused DeWeese of knowing about the bonuses and why they were being given out.

DeWeese, D-Waynesburg, who has not been charged, continues to maintain he was not a party to the illegal activity. He issued a statement Wednesday addressing Manzo's comments.

"Mike Manzo's suggestion that I knew about his criminal acts is absolutely false and there is no evidence to support his opinion. In fact, the grand jury described in detail the steps that those now charged took to keep the scheme secret. Manzo is a desperate, disgruntled former employee whom I fired last year for dishonesty and self-dealing. At the time that I fired him, and with witnesses in the room, he apologized for letting me down," DeWeese said.

"Now he and his wife are confronted with serious criminal charges and long prison sentences, and he is telling a story that conflicts with the evidence and findings of a yearlong grand jury investigation. He has lied to his wife, to investigators and to me. His motives are suspect and his opinions are just not credible," DeWeese added.

"Early in 2007, in the presence of numerous witnesses, he twice told law enforcement officials that I had nothing to do with it. He has since told several people in our caucus that I had nothing to do with it. Now he and his wife are criminal defendants facing lengthy prison sentences and he is changing his story. I knew on the day I fired him there was a risk that he would retaliate against me with false charges but I fired him anyway because it was the right thing to do," DeWeese concluded.

After Manzo's testimony on Wednesday, DeWeese said although the matter is before the courts and normally he would not comment, he felt he should because of the seriousness of the situation.

http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20156813&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6


Update

Ex-aide accuses DeWeese in probe
By Brad Bumsted and Debra Erdley
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, October 9, 2008
HARRISBURG -- House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese fired back at his former top aide who alleged in court Wednesday that DeWeese knew about the use of taxpayers' money for campaign work.

The testimony from Michael Manzo, DeWeese's former chief of staff, marked the first time anyone publicly accused DeWeese of knowing about $1.64 million in state money House Democrats allegedly paid for campaign work from 2004 to 2006.

"Manzo is a desperate, disgruntled employee whom I fired last year for dishonesty and self-dealing," DeWeese said. "At the time I fired him, and with witnesses in the room, he apologized for letting me down.

"Now he and his wife (Rachel) are confronted with serious criminal charges and long prison sentences, and he is telling a story which conflicts with evidence and findings of a yearlong grand jury investigation."

Manzo agreed to plead guilty to several felonies stemming from the awarding of bonuses as incentives for staffers, said his attorney Jim Eisenhower.

Manzo's testimony was a blow to DeWeese, D-Greene County, who is locked in a tough re-election battle with Republican Greg Hopkins.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/state/s_592418.html


via grassrootspa links

http://grassrootspa.com/

10/8/2008 10:29 AM
Ex-aide says DeWeese knew of bonuses
Associated Press
This article has been read 725 times.
By MARK SCOLFORO
Associated Press Writer

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) _ The former chief of staff to House Democratic leader Bill DeWeese testified in court Wednesday that DeWeese knew bonuses were paid to reward legislative employees for their help on political campaigns.

Michael Manzo made the accusation during a preliminary hearing for two people charged with using state workers and equipment for campaigns. It is the first time anyone has publicly accused DeWeese of knowing about the bonuses and why they were being given out.

http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Story/apbonusgate100808



October 8, 2008 - 10:06am
Bombshell Bonusgate testimony: Manzo says DeWeese knew about bonusesBy Alex Roarty
Category: LocalTags: Patrick Lavelle, Mike Veon, Michael Manzo, bonusgate, Bill DeWeeseTop Story: Breaking

UPDATED: House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese knew bonuses were illegally being paid to legislative staffer in exchange for political work, according to testimony given Wednesday by his former chief of staff Michael Manzo.

"I believe he did, yes," Manzo said.

DeWeese has repeatedly denied any involvement in "Bonusgate."

Manzo, along with Patrick Lavelle Jr., were two of 12 people indicted as part of the "Bonusgate" investigation, but both cut a deal with prosecutors to testify Wednesday.

Manzo testified the House Democratic Caucus began a concerted effort in 2002, the year Gov. Ed Rendell took office, to get more legislative staffers volunteering for Democratic candidates.

Manzo said his former boss DeWeese, along

http://www.politickerpa.com/alexroarty/2034/bonusgate-testimony-manzo-says-deweese-knew-about-bonuses

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