INQUIRER HARRISBURG BUREAU
HARRISBURG - Most of the 12 people charged in Thursday's sweeping Bonusgate charges were arraigned throughout the morning today on charges that they were part of a culture in the Capitol that condoned using taxpayer dollars to underwrite political campaigns.
Many of the defendants were brought into court with their hands cuffed behind their backs, including former House Democratic Whip Michael Veon, who prosecutors allege was the mastermind of the scheme to dip into public money for personal and political gain.
Upon exiting the courthouse, Veon politely declined to comment to the hoard of reporters gathered outside, saying he would do so "another time, another place."
He was followed into court later by Rachel Manzo, a House staffer whose husband, Michael Manzo, was chief of staff to House Majority Leader William DeWeese.
Manzo was charged with participating in the scheme to use state legislative employees in political campaigns, and also with hiring a 21-year-old grad student - also his girlfriend - for a largely no-show job.
Each arrived in handcuffs. Bail for Mike Veon was set at $50,000 by District Judge Joseph S. Solomon. In all, the state Attorney General's Office charged 12 people, including a sitting lawmaker. All were expected to appear before Harrisburg District Judge Joseph S. Solomon by the end of the day.
Prosecutors allege that the conspiracy within the House Democratic caucus was widespread and ranged from handing out taxpayer-funded bonuses for campaign work to using state computers and telephones for political and personal purposes.
A number of those charged are accused of doing largely, or only, political work while on the government clock.