HARRISBURG — An ex-chief of staff to former state House Speaker John Perzel is the third Republican defendant to plead guilty in a legislative corruption case.

Paul Towhey of Blue Bell pleaded guilty today in Dauphin County court to one count of conspiracy and one count of conflict of interest. Both are felonies.

The 40-year-old Towhey also pledged to cooperate with the attorney general’s office.

Prosecutors say Towhey and other House GOP officials hid boxes of campaign material from the attorney general’s office, which has charged 10 former legislators and aides with illegally using taxpayer resources for political campaigns.

Earlier this week, two other one-time Perzel aides entered guilty pleas.