Veon to be sentenced today in Bonusgate corruption scandal
Former Pennsylvania state representative Mike Veon is set to be sentenced today for using tax dollars for political campaigning.
Former Pennsylvania state representative Mike Veon is set to be sentenced today for using tax dollars for political campaigning. Veon was convicted of theft, conspiracy, and conflict of interest in March.
Prosecutors are seeking a lengthy sentence for Veon, formerly the second ranking Democrat in the state house. The state Attorney General’s office has asked for 12 to 17 years.
That would be an unprecedented sentence for a public corruption conviction, according to Franklin and Marshall College Pollster G. Terry Madonna.
“It would be unimaginable for me to believe that a judge will sentence someone for public corruption charges for that long a sentence,” says Madonna.
Madonna says a stiff penalty could be a boon to Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett, also the Republican nominee for governor.
“There isn’t any doubt that what we call the Bonusgate prosecutions have given him this tremendous profile,” says Madonna. “And additional steep sentencing, as well as additional convictions – should any occur between now and November – are likely to burnish his reputation as a crime-fighter.”
Corbett has endured criticism for prosecuting more Democrats in the state house. But the Republicans he did go after are high-ranking such as former House Speaker John Perzel.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.