by KYW's Tony Romeo
The trial of the first twelve defendants in the so-called “bonusgate” probe of the Pennsylvania legislature –- which had been scheduled to begin in January -- has now been pushed back well into next year.
The first charges in the investigation into whether taxpayer resources were used for political purposes were filed in July against 12 people associated with the state House Democratic caucus (see related stories).
But after a telephone status conference, Dauphin County president judge Richard Lewis has set April 15th as the date for pre-trial motions. And arguments on those motions, if necessary, will be held in June of next year.
Kevin Harley, a spokesman for Pennsylvania attorney general Tom Corbett, is not surprised:
“It’s not a surprise. In nearly every criminal proceeding, the original trial date gets moved for whatever reason -- particularly in a case where you have twelve defendants.”
In this case, the judge in his order cites defense counsel’s description of “mountains” of documents that must be processed.
No new trial date has been set, but courthouse sources say it could begin in late summer or early fall.
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