The 10 people charged in the latest state legislative bonus scandal turned themselves in to police Friday.
On Thursday, the state Attorney General announced that Former House Speaker John Perzel and nine others in the Republican Caucus spent millions of taxpayer dollars for campaign work.
When they walked in to court Friday in handcuffs, they had very little, if nothing to say, except for the accused ring leader, Republican Representative John Perzel. One by one they got out of cop cars and in handcuffs, walked in to face the judge.
Ten people total; charged with spending more than 10-million dollars of taxpayer money, on campaign work CBS 21 News confronted the man, who officials are calling the corruption ring leader in all of this, Republican Representative John Perzel.
" Look, this thing has been going on for quite some time. These are allegation that've been made and I'm looking forward to an opportunity to prove my innocence in court," said Rep. John Perzel, R-172 District, accused of misusing taxpayer money.
As he left the courtroom, Perzel had nothing else to add. The others charged include former Republican Representative Brett Feese and eight aides, who also had no comment. But some of their attorneys say they're innocent and say they'll fight these allegations in court.
" He's entered a plea of not guilty," said Rob Donatoni, Sam Stokes' attorney.
" We expect Mrs. Seaman will be vindicated in Dauphin County Court. There will be a trial and we will prevail. She's not guilty," said William Fetterhoff, Jill Seaman's attorney.
The ten left court on bail and turned in their passports, while they await their next day in front of a judge. If convicted, they could face jail time. For example, the accused leader in this, Representative John Perzel, could face up to 538 years in jail, if found guilty.
A spokesperson for the Republican Caucus, Steve Miskin, tells CBS 21 News that Representative John Perzel will be allowed to stay in his seat and continue to serve the 172nd district during the investigation, but he had to step down as the Urban Affairs Committee Chair.
