WHO: Pennsylvania Rep. John M. Perzel
WHAT: The former speaker of the Pennsylvania state House has been charged with numerous criminal counts in a $10 million scandal involving sophisticated multimillion-dollar software paid for by taxpayers but allegedly used for political campaigning. The Philadelphia Republican was the most prominent political figure charged, along with nine others connected to the House Republican Caucus. Perzel served more than 30 years in the state Legislature.
HOW IT HAPPENED: The three-year “Bonusgate” investigation by Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett — a Republican now running for governor — brought charges 17 months earlier against a dozen House Democratic insiders, including the former House minority whip. Critics had been accusing Corbett of protecting members of his own party.
