2007-2008 PA Bonusgate Scandal

• January 27, 2007: “The Patriot-News” responding to tips from House Democratic employees, reported on a previously secret bonus program for caucus employees, which some alleged were tied to work on 2006 political campaigns. Within a week, all four caucuses disclosed similar bonuses exceeding $3.6 million in 2006.

• Eric Epstein of Rock the Capital was hosting the Bob Durgin Show on January 26, 2007. A caller who identified herself as an employee of a House member announced the bonus practice on the air. For 18 months, Corbett's public corruption unit have been investigating whether any of $3.6 million in taxpayer-funded bonuses paid in all four caucuses to legislative staffers during the 2005-06 session -- first brought to light by “The Patriot-News” in January 2007 -- were de facto rewards for campaign work.

• That probe grew to cover allegations of systematic use of state employees and resources for political campaigns, attempts to destroy evidence, contracting, campaign finance and other areas. Pennsylvania media referred to this scandal as "Bonusgate."

• As the investigation continued other areas of concern arose. These concerns included findings of judicial corruption, nepotism, conflict of interest and Republican corruption in a subsidiary investigation dubbed "Computergate" by the press. The investigation determined that Republicans had used state monies to pay state employees to develop computer programs to find and target Republican voters.

• Still later investigations discovered the Kids for Cash scandal in 2008, in which judges in Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas in Wilkes-Barre were paid kickbacks to ensure juveniles were sent to for-profit facilities.

• July 13, 2008: State Senator Jeffrey Piccola says the state Legislature should hold a special session this fall on reforming governmental ethics and procedures in light of the growing negative publicity over "Bonusgate.”

Mr. Piccola said there is nothing more important right now than to restore public confidence in the Legislature, which had been severely damaged by the charges filed against 12 current or former legislators and staffers on Thursday, July 10, 2008 by state Attorney General Tom Corbett. Mr. Corbett hinted that additional charges would be forthcoming.

• July 17, 2008: A week after 289 criminal charges were filed in a wide-ranging government corruption probe, a group of lawmakers called for a special legislative session devoted solely to restoring the public’s faith in Harrisburg. Said Rep. Eugene DePasquale (D., York), “We are under a dark cloud…We need to get back to the people’s work.” (“Philadelphia Inquirer,” Christopher Wink and Mario F. Cattabiani, July 17, 2008.”)

• May 25, 2010: The grand jury’s report on Bonusgate. A grand jury that spent two years investigating the "Bonusgate" scandal issued a report stating that the Pennsylvania legislature is rife with corruption and in need of major reforms. The 34 page report, given to legislative leaders found that state workers spend a great amount of time on campaign related work. The focus of the Bonusgate scandal was on the illegal use of public resources and legislative employees to do campaign work. (Click here for a copy of the report.)