Rep. John Perzel, GOP aides charged in state probe (PA)

[Renew Deal]

Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Former House speaker accused in wide-ranging corruption investigation that started with the Democrats

HARRISBURG -- A statewide grand jury yesterday accused former Republican speaker of the House John M. Perzel and nine others in a scheme that misrouted more than $10 million in state funds to political causes.

The presentment, unsealed here by Attorney General Tom Corbett, marked the first time the wide-ranging legislative corruption probe crossed the political aisle, 16 months after an earlier case scooped up a dozen Democrats.

Facing criminal counts of conspiracy, theft, obstruction of justice and conflict-of-interest are:

• John Perzel, 59, the former House speaker and a state representative from Philadelphia.

• Brian Preski, 44, of Philadelphia, Mr. Perzel's former chief of staff.

• Brett Feese, 55, a former state representative from Lycoming County and, until last week, general counsel to the House Republicans.

• Elmer "Al" Bowman, 34, of York County, a former aide to Mr. Feese and spokesman for GOP House campaigns.

• Samuel Stokes, 66, of Philadelphia, Mr. Perzel's brother-in-law who managed Mr. Perzel's campaigns but was purportedly a ghost employee on the House payroll.

• Jill Seaman, 57, of Dauphin County, an assistant to Mr. Feese.

• Paul Towhey, 38, of Montgomery County, Mr. Perzel's current chief of staff.

• Don McClintock, 41, of Voorhees, N.J., a campaign aide to Mr. Perzel.

• Eric Ruth, 34, of Boca Raton, Fla., a former deputy director of information technology for the House Republicans.

• John Zimmerman, 61, of Dauphin County, a Perzel legislative aide.

All are expected to be arraigned today before a Harrisburg district judge.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09317/1013157-454.stm#ixzz0WlAdBySr


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09317/1013157-454.stm

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John Perzel was on the board of the Geo Group which is a company that runs privatized prisons.

http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cache:NkpoB8U7T-cJ:www.thegeogroupinc.com/boardofdirectors.asp+John+Perzel+%2B+board+%2B+geo+group&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

The Geo Group has had many prisoners die in custody. They have a connection to lots of politicians including Cheney.

Here's a press release.
Effective November 12, 2009, John M. Perzel resigned from his service on the Board of Directors of The GEO Group, Inc. (“GEO”). The decision of Mr. Perzel to resign from his service on the Board of Directors does not involve any disagreement with GEO concerning its operations, policies or practices.

http://www.hotstocked.com/8-k/geo-group-inc-GGI-256317.html

This guy is filthy dirty.

[Papagoose]

1. I know Mr. Perzel personally from my former life as a Republican

and I am not surprised.

[Altoid_Cyclist]

2. I hate to admit this, but I haven't really followed this even though I live in PA.

Judging by the politicians that I know in this part of the state, I just assume that 75% of all politicians (at least) are crooks.

I'm still trying to figure out why he broke it down by party affiliation instead of just going after all of the guilty parties with one investigation.

Since I have the Shuster dynasty representing me in DC and John (homophobe) Eichelberger and Rick (Carlyle Group) Geist as my state reps., I have some pretty piss poor examples to base my opinions on.

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/senjohn-eichelberger

[Renew Deal]

3. I can't understand how this hasn't gotten more attention.

[mstinamotorcity]

4. More attention

Know that this is some hide what the republicons do mess. You know all the grimy crap they do is hush hush keep it on the low,low. Remember the C street house. Slimy, slimy. They protect each other maybe dem politicians should take notes.Don't want any corruption but, you gotta admire their ability to back each other up in the game.

[defendandprotect]

5. Fox didn't cover it---??????

:evilgrin: