Perzel sentenced up to five years in prison as corruption trial comes to an end

This is part of ongoing coverage in “District 172: The Politics of Change after State Rep. John Perzel,” a collaborative effort with Philadelphia Neighborhoods funded by J-Lab.

The self-professed architect of a Pennsylvania House Republican scheme to pay for political campaign computer software with taxpayer dollars is headed for jail.

The former state House Speaker, John Perzel, has been sentenced to up to five years in prison. He also was ordered to pay $1 million in restitution, as well as thousands in fines.

He pleaded guilty last fall to charges of theft, conspiracy, and conflict of interest.

Chief Deputy state Attorney General Frank Fina says Perzel’s decision to plead guilty and cooperate with prosecutors made his sentence lighter. Former staffers Paul Towhey, Samuel “Buzz” Stokes and Donald McClintock were sentenced Monday to probation.

Read the rest of this story from our partners at NewsWorks.org.

 

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