HARRISBURG — The former speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges stemming from a state public corruption probe.

Former state Rep. John Perzel entered the plea to conflict of interest, conspiracy and theft charges, making him the highest-ranking state politician to admit guilt in a four-and-a-half-year probe.

In his appearance before a Dauphin County judge, he also agreed to cooperate with state prosecutors.

Prosecutors say Perzel was at the center of a scheme to spend millions of taxpayer dollars on computer technology for the benefit of GOP political campaigns.