Politicians should reimburse taxpayers for crimes

State Senator Jane Orie's defense of allegations from the Allegheny County DA's office have cost taxpayers over $1 million so far. Taxpayers shouldn't be footing the bill for her defense if she's found guilty or for any other politicians guilty of a crime (ahem, Perzel, Veon and all the rest). The law allows tax money to be used to defend allegations against our elected officials but the gravy train runs out when charges are filed. That's fair, so long as investigations are handled professionally and aren't politically-motivated fishing expeditions financed by tax dollars.


But the money spent prior to the filing of charges is not recouped after guilt has been admitted or determined by the courts. That's yet another crime against taxpayers. Once convicted, they should be forced to pay restitution in the amount that they stole plus anything paid on their behalf for defense.


Taxpayers are on the hook for more than $12 million in Bonusgate legal costs, not including the cost of the investigation or prosecution. The various defendents in that case should be required to repay the whole $12 million plus, as well as the $10-plus million they illegally spent on themselves for which they were prosecuted, yet we've haven't seen any big restitution verdicts as part of the sentencing thus far. It's rare for courts to order politicians convicted of crimes to ever make the taxpayers whole again.


These criminals have little accountability to the residents for their embezzlement so it's likely that the lax penalties encourage such crimes. Making restitution a top priority might help prevent future crimes and any money recouped would be an improvement from the current status quo. Many politicians don't take their responsibility to taxpayers seriously, as evidenced by their embezzlement itself but perhaps they'd be less likely to blatantly steal our money if there was some chance they'd have to pay it back.

Perzel singing like a canary?

Former PA House Speaker John Perzel has steadfastly maintained his innocence throughout the Bonusgate investigation despite being branded by the Attorney General's office as the architect of a scheme that bilked taxpayers out of more than $10 million. Facing more than 80 charges, many of them felony counts, Perzel seems poised to enter a plea which would be a complete about face. As recently as a few weeks ago, Perzel boasted that he's confident he will be acqitted on all counts when the facts come to light. Less than 2 weeks ago, Perzel told the Philadelphia Daily News that he's not considering a plea deal, despite the fact that 3 of his co-defendents had already accepted pleas.


He appears to have changed his tune, as it's widely reported that Perzel will plead guilty to public corruption charges tomorrow. This guy is alleged to have been the mastermind so it's not surprising that he's going to plead in light of other defendents cooperating with prosecutors. It's one thing to insist you're innocent of allegations but trying to convince a jury after a bunch of folks working under you have already admitted guilt is quite the uphill battle. Let's just hope the AG's office hasn't offered a deal that allows Perzel to continue bilking taxpayers via a pension.


Taxpayers may get some justice yet but it can only come with a stiff prison sentence and full restitution, including damages. After all $10 M would have collected a lot of interest over the past 5+ years. At least Perzel is saving us the expense of a trial so for that I say, thanks for finally doing something right for your state just this once.

Overpaid retired politicians

Former House Speaker John Perzel is currently awaiting trial for allegedly spending taxpayer money on campaigns. He's accused of misusing more than $10 million in tax dollars to get himself and his cronies elected and re-elected. In fact, "the grand jury found Perzel went to great lengths to maintain control and expand his power through illegal means", according to the 2009 press release from then-Attorney General Tom Corbett's office. Perzel is is currently receiving more than $7,100 per month in pension (over $85,000 per year) in addition to a lump-sum payment of more than $200,000 received after his November defeat at the polls. And he won't have to repay any of it even if he's convicted on all charges.