by KYW's Tony Romeo
Four more defendants in the so-called “bonusgate” probe of the Pennsylvania legislature on Tuesday waived their right to a preliminary hearing, just as those hearings were about to begin. Ten of the twelve defendants have now waived their preliminary hearings (see related stories).
Among the four latest defendants to waive the hearing is former House Democratic whip Mike Veon (in file photo at right). Among those who waived their hearings previously were Michael Manzo, former chief of staff to House majority leader William DeWeese.
Veon’s attorney, Bob Del Greco, has this intriguing remark:
“I think some inferences can be drawn from some previous waivers, and the question is going to become, at the end of the day, who has cut a deal, who is testifying against who, and who is left standing to challenge the charges.”
But Del Greco says he has no “absolute information” that anyone has made a deal, and a spokesman for the attorney general says it would be “inappropriate” to comment on any potential plea deal or cooperation.
Veon’s attorney says his client chose not to proceed with a hearing in a “politically charged atmosphere” and says that at this moment it his intention to defend against the charges.
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