The plea agreements also require the defendants to forfeit their state pensions as a way to make partial restitution. The agreements were provided this week to attorneys for the defendants, who had been expected to go to trial in January.

They are accused of conspiring to divert tax dollars from legitimate government purposes to the reelection campaigns of incumbent legislators. The money included millions dispersed as bonuses to Democratic caucus staffers, allegedly in exchange for their work on campaigns.

Michael Manzo, who prosecutors say was one of the ringleaders of the bonus scheme, was charged with 47 criminal counts and could have faced a maximum of 311 years in prison and $660,000 in fines. His plea agreement calls for dropping all but 10 charges, which carry a maximum combined sentence of 26 years imprisonment and $55,000 in fines plus restitution.

The pension he gives up would have been roughly $45,000 a year at the full retirement age of 60, according to Post-Gazette calculations.

Manzo, 40, is the former chief of staff to Rep. Bill DeWeese of Greene County, the former Democratic leader and current Democratic whip. Manzo has testified that he believes DeWeese was aware of the bonus scheme. DeWeese, who has not been charged, denies that.

Others who agreed to plead guilty are Jeff Foreman; Scott Brubaker; his wife, Jennifer Brubaker; and Patrick "P.J." Lavelle.

Foreman, who was an aide to former Democratic Whip Mike Veon (D., Beaver), has appeared as a prosecution witness in hearings on a related corruption case against Veon. Veon faces 55 criminal counts relating to Bonusgate.

Foreman, 58, was charged with 24 criminal counts. His agreement requires him to plead guilty to four felonies: two counts of failure to make required disposition of funds received, one count of conflict of interest, and one count of criminal conspiracy.

In exchange, Foreman, like the others who entered agreements, must "provide all information concerning knowledge of, and participation in, public corruption, the improper use of resources, and any other crimes about which he has knowledge."

Guidelines call for a maximum of 21 years and $45,000 in fines plus restitution. Foreman could have faced a maximum of 160 years and $240,000 in fines.

Scott Brubaker, 44, former director of staffing and administration, agreed to plead guilty to four felonies including theft, criminal conspiracy, and conflict of interest. That's down from 22 counts in the original complaint filed by the state attorney general. Those charges called for a maximum sentence of 144 years and $310,000 in fines. The plea agreement calls for no more than 21 years and $45,000 in fines plus restitution.

His pension would have amounted to roughly $47,000 a year beginning at age 60, according to Post-Gazette calculations.

Jennifer Brubaker, 37, was director of the House Democrats' research office, which staffers have said was a center of political work inside the Capitol.

Originally facing 17 counts, she has agreed to plead guilty to four charges that carry a maximum sentence of 10 years and $20,000 in fines and restitution. Under the original charges, she could have faced up to 113 years and $240,000 in fines.

Her pension would have amounted to roughly $28,000 a year beginning at age 60.

Lavelle, a former legislative aide who is accused of spending virtually all of his state-paid time coordinating fund-raising efforts for political campaigns, agreed to plead guilty to criminal conspiracy and conflict of interest.

The agreement calls for a maximum sentence of 10 years and $20,000 in fines plus restitution. Lavelle, 31, originally was charged with six counts and faced up to 40 years imprisonment and $85,000 in fines.