HARRISBURG — The former technology chief for the House Republicans says former Rep. Brett Feese staged a meeting in an attempt to cover up his knowledge of illegal electioneering.

Tony Painter, the caucus' director of information and technology from 1994 to 2007, testified Thursday at a government corruption trial in Dauphin County court.

Painter said Feese — one of two defendants — approached him about replacing the caucus e-mail system in February 2007, shortly after the GOP lost control of the House and Feese became the caucus' chief counsel.

Painter says he was stunned when Feese told him legislative and campaign activities must be kept separate since Feese knew that tapping public funds for political purposes had become routine. Painter called it a “phony meeting” and said that activity resumed within days.

NEW CASTLE — State police say thieves have sneaked away with a 50-foot steel bridge.Trooper Darren Vizyak says in a report filed Wednesday that the bridge in North Beaver Township was stolen sometime between Sept. 27th and Oct. 5th.The 20-foot wide bridge was in a wooded area along a railroad line.Police say it was made out of corrugated steel and valued at about $100,000. The thieves used a blowtorch to cut the bridge apart, presumably to sell it for scrap metal.Police listed the owner of the bridge as New Castle Development.