First Bonusgate Trial Begins

The first trial of an ongoing legislative corruption probe is underway in Harrisburg.
Former Beaver County Democratic Representative Sean Ramaley faces charges for allegedly collecting public dollars for a no-work state job while campaigning for office.
He’s the first of 22 defendants to go to trial in Attorney General Tom Corbett’s long running investigation of tax dollars used for political purposes.
Corbett, a Republican, is running for governor, so political scientist Christopher Borick of Muhlenberg College argues the Ramaley verdict will play a major role in the upcoming campaign.

"For an attorney general about to run for governor of Pennsylvania, and you’re touting your record, you want to actually have the results when it comes to prosecutions, and not just bringing indictments. And so that’s why I think a lot of eyes in the state are going to see these trials through a political lens."

The trial’s first day was spent on jury selection, and opening arguments may not begin until Friday. Other Democratic defendants, including former minority whip Mike Veon, are scheduled to go to trial next month.