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Democrats: GOP State House candidate faces probe

The Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee charged Sunday that Chester County Republican Cuyler Walker, who last week pulled out of the race for the state legislature, was facing a law enforcement investigation.

The Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee charged Sunday that Chester County Republican Cuyler Walker, who last week pulled out of the race for the state legislature, was facing a law enforcement investigation.

The Democrats issued a statement that cited a recent court filing by Walker's lawyer, Michael S. Gill. The filing stated there had been a newspaper report of "investigative rumors."

A footnote in the filing said that if he was forced to testify in the election dispute, "Walker will assert his privileges under the Fifth Amendment" to remain silent.

The Democrats provided no information on the type of investigation or the agency that was investigating.

Gill, in a brief interview Sunday, said he believed the Democrats were correct in their statement that Walker was facing an investigation. But he said he could not provide any additional information.

Legal experts stress that although law enforcement agencies investigate many individuals, the probes frequently do not find wrongdoing.

Walker, a SEPTA board member and lawyer who has served for 17 years as East Marlborough township supervisor, withdrew from the race Monday, more than a month after the deadline to withdraw.

A state court on Friday decided Walker's withdrawal from the race in the 158th house district in Chester County was permissible, according to Gill.

Chester County Republican campaign officials had expected Walker to easily beat Democrat Susan Rzucidlo.

The original document by Gill was filed in Commonwealth Court in response to a subpoena from Philadelphia election lawyer Adam Bonin.

Bonin, representing Rzucidlo and one other Democrat and two Republican backers of Rzucidlo, said he was "stunned to see Mr. Walker confirm through his motion that he was the subject of an investigation."

Bonin's subpoena sought "all documents pertaining to your decision to withdraw your candidacy."

In response, Gill filed a motion to dismiss the demand for information. The motion also contained the footnote mentioning the investigation and saying Walker would invoke his right against self incrimination if forced to testify.

"Even though Walker would invoke his rights at this time," the footnote said, "he remains willing, and intends to continue, to cooperate with law enforcement authorities while preserving his constitutional rights."

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