KYW Flashback: The Rise And Fall Of Ernie Preate
PHILADEPHIA (CBS) --- Ernie Preate was a star among Pennsylvania Republicans.
He was the state's top law enforcement officer - Attorney General. He was touted as the next governor.
But KYW's Harrisburg Bureau began detailing a major speed bump on Preate's road to the governor's mansion.
A federal raid involving gambling in Northeastern Pennsylvania netted hundreds of illegal video poker machines. The probe soon uncovered linked contributions to Preate campaign funds.
He lost his Republican primary run to Tom Ridge and twenty years ago the rising star became a fallen convict.
After a year in federal prison Ernest Preate quietly returned to his Scranton home.