Mike Veon gets 6 to 14 years in “Bonusgate”

Former Pennsylvania House Democratic Whip was lead out of court in handcuffs

Former Pennsylvania House Democratic Whip Mike Veon will spend six to fourteen years in state prison for conducting campaign work with public resources.

Judge Richard Lewis told Veon his “thirst for more power and prestige…caused him to ignore the very laws and regulations he had a hand in creating.”

Lewis said “Hard earned tax dollars were essentially prostituted for political ambition” in the tax-funded bonuses for campaign work scheme.

Veon did not testify during his winter trial, but he made a statement during the sentencing hearing. He acknowledged making mistakes, and said he apologized.

Veon said he was proud of what he accomplished as a lawmaker, saying “I had an unusual, incredible work ethic.”

Veon’s one-time aide, Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink, was sentenced to three to six months in county jail, and nearly four years of probation.

Judge Lewis denied bail for Veon. The onetime legislative leader was handcuffed and led out of the courtroom at the end of the hearing.