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Fourth official faces sentencing in corruption case

Rebecca Kiefer, the fourth Bucks County official charged in the political corruption case that rocked the Register of Wills office last year, was expected to be sentenced Tuesday to three to six months in county prison.

Kiefer, the second deputy to longtime Register of Wills Barbara Reilly, admitted last year that she had forced office employees to work the polls on Election Day for Republican candidates, paid them with unauthorized comp time, tried to cover it up, and stole cash from copying.

Third Assistant Candace Quinn received the same sentence for carrying out the system of political conscription that Reilly instituted during her 35-year reign. Quinn also was ordered to serve a year's probation, complete 500 hours of community service, and repay the county $6,533 for the illegal comp time.

Reilly, 75, of Bensalem, faced less serious charges and is serving six months' house arrest, which Philadelphia Judge John Braxton ordered instead of a prison term because of her age and health. Braxton handled the politically charged case to avoid any possible conflicts of interest.

The fourth official charged in the case, First Deputy James McCullen, 76 of Bristol, received two years' probation after pleading guilty last year, because his role in the scandal was considered minor.