Veon and Rosepink Sentenced This Morning

Follow Tracey Mauriello's Twitter Tweets on the right column for up to date news on the sentencing of Anna Marie Peretta-Rosepink and former State Representative Michael Veon this morning. You can also find the Bonusgate Twitter here.

Anna Marie Peretta-Rosepink received 3-6 months in Dauphin County jail, followed by intermediate punishment(3 months house arrest) & probation. Also $8,000 in fines and $25,000 restitution. She has to prepare for a second court case she is involved in so Judge Lewis set bail at $25,000.00 pending appeal. She smiled after receiving her sentence. Brett Cott's previous sentencing had to weigh on her mind.

10:14 A.M. Veon Sentencing starting Veon Attorney Dan Raynak says he is going to take a little time.

You can read Mauriello's update story on Post Gazette here.

11:27 A.M. Judge Lewis says Veon will not get probation for "blatant criminal activity" and he state Veon abused power despite helping alot of people.

11:28 A.M. Veon receives 9-24 months on first count with 13 more counts to go

11:32 A.M. Halfway through counts and up to 28 months to 8 years

11:35 A.M. $37,000 fine, $100,000.00 restitution prison time 6 to 14 years.

Veon is denied bail and led out of the courtroom in handcuffs.

11:54 A.M. Veon led back into courtroom without cuffs for a vice hearing to see if Attorney Raynak from Arizona can represent him in another proceeding.

Mauriello's story on the Veon sentencing Post Gazette.

BREAKKING NEWS: BONUSGATE VERDICTS IN

The long awaited trial of Michael Veon et al in what has been dubbed Bonusgate is over with the jury announcing its verdict at 8P.M.

In the order of the announcement:

Mike Veon has been found guilty in 14 of the 59 charges against him. Defendent Brett Cott was found guilty of 3 of 42 charges against him. Stephen Keefer was found not guilty of any charges. Anna Marie Peretta-Rosepink was found guilty in 5 of the 22 charges against her.

Earlier in the day, Dauphin County Judge Richard Lewis denied a defense motion for a mistrial.

The judge was empathetic towards the jury for their length of service and hardship. The jury is discharged and heads home.

Read the story by Tracie Mauriello of the Post Gazette by clicking here.

Bonusgate Deliberations Affecting Jurors

SInce the media in Northeastern Pennsylvania are practically ignoring Michael Veon et al's Bonusgate trial SOP wants to highlight the latest from Tracie Mauriello of the Post Gazette. In this story she talks about the toll deliberations are taking in this case on jurors to this point.

We're turning on each other," one told Dauphin County Judge Richard A. Lewis from the jury box as she and others dabbed their eyes.

"I can imagine it is hard for a jury to announce a unanimous decision," Judge Lewis said. "Juries are able to do that at most times, and we ask that you keep trying."

Jurors are considering 139 criminal charges against four defendants, including former state Rep. Mike Veon, who represented Beaver County and at one time was the second-ranking Democrat in the state House.

Judge Lewis told jurors that deliberation is not about taking a firm stand but about "talking to your neighbors. Sometimes it takes an effort on everyone's part to do that."

The exchange came as jurors ended their 29th hours of deliberations over four days, following six weeks of testimony.

"We're aware of the strain on you, all 12 of you. I'm sure it's a terrible strain," Judge Lewis said.

The jurors did indicate they came to a conclusion against one defendent in the case. However, their deliberations continue.

Defense Rests And Now Onto Closing Arguments- Bonusgate Trial

Yesterday the defense rested in the Michael Veon et al Bonusgate trial at the Dauphin County Courthouse in Harrisburg. In this report filed by Tracie Mauriello from the Post-Gazette, she sums up those proceedings plus some comments by defense attorneys relating to the trial.


"Was there [campaign-related] e-mail sent on state time? Yes, just like everybody else uses the state e-mail system for fantasy football or whatever," Mr. Walk said. "This staff worked so hard and so long that all of these minor infractions are what we would call de minimis."

Follow Tracie's twitter tweets at the link to the right for today. Defense attorneys are blaming everyone from former Rep. Steven Stetler and Rep. Bill Deweese to Frankel, Manzo, and others as the real perpetrators of misuse of taxpayer moneys.

Editorially speaking it was gang mentality that brought these charges. It will be up to the jury whether the "pack" is accountable.

Senior Deputy Attorney General E. Marc Costanzo said he is confident that the prosecution made its case and that the jury will find each defendant guilty.

Bonusgate Trial- After 4 Weeks Still At It

For some strange reason the media in NEPA is ignoring the Michael Veon et al "Bonusgate" trial underway in Dauphin County Courthouse. SOP has provided links to a few reporters using Twitter from the courtroom in the side bar.

In today's testimony Barbara Grill was "grilled"(sorry couldn't resist the temptation) about her role and that of Veon. Tracey Mauriello of the Post Gazette highlights her testimony here.


Mr. Veon and co-defendants Brett Cott, Stephen Keefer and Annamarie Perretta Rosepink are on trial for various charges including
theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest for allegedly using taxpayer resources to fund political campaigns, something the media has dubbed "Bonusgate".

BREAKING NEWS- MIKE VEON FACING ADDITIONAL CHARGES- AG TOM CORBETT

According to the Patriot News AG Tom Corbett announced that additional charges have been filed against former PA House Democratic Whip Mike Veon.

Former House Democratic Whip Mike Veon and a staffer were hit with additional theft and conspiracy charges following a long-term investigation into a Beaver County nonprofit Veon established.

At an afternoon news conference, Attorney General Tom Corbett said the investigating grand jury found that Veon had diverted millions of dollars of state money earmarked for the Beaver Initiative for Growth for his own personal and political benefit.

The investigation was spurred by Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports questioning the contracts with consultants and other spending practices of the non profit.

The Associated Press reports Corbett says only 23 percent of the $4.7 million the nonprofit spent over a two-year period went to program expenses.

Veon faces theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest charges. Former Veon staffer Anna Marie Peretta-Rosepink is also charged.

Veon and Peretta-Rosepink already face charges in a separate corruption investigation related to bonuses allegedly paid state workers for campaign work.

Comments left at this link are extremely interesting.

Posted by agmines on 03/25/09 at 1:30PM
Sorry, I read the Grand Jury Findings, it is clear Bill DeWeese was kept out of the loop by Veon's and Eachus's hirings and employees. It was DeWeese investigators that found out about Manzo's inner workings with Veon and Manzo apologized in public that he let DeWeese down the day he was fired by DeWeese. What needs to be looked at now is how Todd Eachus is still working with Mike Veon as Majority Leader! Projects that were Veon's were alos Eachus's on Brownfields, Casino's, and taking camapaign contributions. Attorney Foreman was working for Eachus not Veon at the time of the Indictments. Something is still rotten in the Caucus but it ain't DeWeese.

Here is more on these latest developments at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

It must sound like a herd of buffalo in Harrisburg when the Indians put their ear to the ground.