DeWeese Corruption Trial Opens Today
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - The latest corruption case against a Pennsylvania political figure is scheduled to go to trial Monday morning with opening arguments in the case against a former top Democrat in the state legislature.
William DeWeese, still a member of the state House, is a former House speaker, and was Democratic leader when the state attorney general's office says he allegedly used state resources for campaign purposes.
DeWeese was not charged in the scandal dubbed "Bonusgate" that resulted in the conviction of DeWeese's former right-hand man, but DeWeese's attorney, William Costopoulos, has his own name for this case.
"Our mantra has been from day one that this is 'Pettygate' … the only thing that is not petty is the expense of the prosecution."
Nils Frederiksen is a spokesman for the attorney general.
"The law is very clear and there's nothing petty about theft or conflict of interest or criminal conspiracy."
A former DeWeese staffer and co-defendant entered a guilty plea in the case last week.
