Jury convicts former Pa. lawmaker of conflict of interest in public corruption trial

Ex-Pa. rep guilty of 14 counts in corruption case

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A Pennsylvania jury has convicted a former state representative of conflict of interest in a public corruption trial.

Democrat Mike Veon was among 25 people arrested since the attorney general’s office began investigating three years ago with the news that millions of dollars in bonuses had been quietly handed out to legislative employees. He was found guilty Monday of 14 of the 59 counts he faced.

Two aides to the former Beaver County lawmaker were convicted of some charges in the theft, conspiracy and conflict-of-interest case. One was acquitted.

Seven people previously pleaded guilty. Another was acquitted. Thirteen await trial.

Monday’s verdict comes after weeks of testimony by dozens of witnesses, many of whom struck deals with prosecutors.

Defense lawyers attacked their credibility and contended some of the accusations didn’t rise to the level of criminal behavior.