2 guilty pleas entered in Pa. corruption case
HARRISBURG — Two former aides to one-time state House Speaker John Perzel on Wednesday entered the first Republican guilty pleas in a legislative corruption case that revolves around the alleged illegal diversion of millions of taxpayer dollars into political campaigns.
At a hearing in Dauphin County court, Samuel Stokes, Perzel’s brother-in-law, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy and conflict of interest. Former Perzel campaign aide Don McClintock pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy.
Under agreements with the attorney general’s office, both men are required to cooperate with prosecutors in the consolidated trial of the other Republican defendants.
Paul Towhey, one of two former Perzel chiefs of staff charged in the case, is scheduled to enter a guilty plea Friday.
That leaves six defendants to stand trial together, including Perzel, a Philadelphia resident, and another former high-ranking state representative, Brett Feese of Lycoming County.
A 10th GOP defendant, former Perzel aide John Zimmerman, is charged with hindering apprehension, obstruction and conspiracy. His case is being prosecuted separately.
