HARRISBURG — Jurors are deliberating the fate of a long-powerful Pennsylvania lawmaker accused of using state employees and other public resources for political campaigning.

The Dauphin County jury of seven women and five men began deliberations at midmorning today, a day after lawyers wrapped up their closing arguments and state Rep. Bill DeWeese testified in his own defense.

DeWeese is the first sitting lawmaker to face trial as part of a broad investigation begun by the state attorney general’s office in 2007.

The Greene County Democrat and one-time House speaker told the court he never ordered or bullied state workers into doing campaign work. DeWeese’s attorney says the lawmaker is a victim of subordinates to whom he delegated decision-making.