State Rep. Jeff Habay, R-Shaler, was charged today with two felony counts stemming from allegations that he used state workers on state time to do campaign work for him.

The state attorney general's office filed charges of theft of services and conflict of interest this morning at the office of District Justice Robert Dzvonick in Shaler.

Among the allegations cited in an affidavit filed by the state was that a newly hired office staffer, Rebecca Collins-Coleman, was immediately given the task of organizing a fund-raiser in June 1999. She also was given the same job in November 1999, the affidavit states.

The attorney general's office said the charges were filed following a review of documents produced during an investigation by the state Ethics Commission, which cited Habay in June.

Habay has maintained his innocence but has begun repaying the state nearly $13,000 -- the amount the commission said he should reimburse the state for state employees campaigning during work time.

At his arraignment at Dzvonick's office today, Habay said he had no plans to resign and planned to do "everything I can" to fight the charges.

The five-term lawmaker expressed surprise that "this thing got this far" but said he believed he still had the trust of the people in his North Hills district.

Habay was joined by his wife, 2-year-old son and father.

Dzvonick released him on his own recognizance and ordered him to have no contact with the witnesses.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.