HARRISBURG -- Two more lawmakers have joined the groundswell pressuring House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese to step down because of his caucus's alleged involvement in a government corruption scandal.

State Reps. Jesse White, D-Cecil, and Eugene DePasquale, D-York, both freshmen, yesterday said Mr. DeWeese should relinquish control of the caucus.

Eight other lawmakers came forward with similar statements in recent days. One, David Levdansky, D-Forward, has said Mr. DeWeese should not only leave leadership, but also abandon his re-election campaign and leave the Legislature entirely.

Mr. White and Mr. DePasquale said yesterday that Mr. DeWeese, D-Waynesburg, is a hindrance to reform efforts and must be accountable for crimes that may have been committed under his watch.

Mr. DeWeese, meanwhile has been continuing to campaign for re-election, stressing to voters that he helped lead reform efforts last year, including legislation that makes government records more accessible.

Mr. White acknowledged those accomplishments even as he called for Mr. DeWeese's resignation from leadership.

"The legislative accomplishments and unabashed energy that Rep. DeWeese has brought to Harrisburg for over three decades cannot be questioned, as well as his leadership in enacting important legislative reform laws that have changed how the House operates," he said.

His call for Mr. DeWeese's ouster was spurred by grand jury presentments that last month led to arrests of 12 current and former lawmakers and staffers for allegedly using state resources to operate political campaigns.

"Although Bill DeWeese has not been charged with any crime and has fully cooperated with the attorney general in the investigation, a systematic, inexcusable and indefensible violation of the public trust occurred on his watch," Mr. White said.

Mr. DePasquale, grandson of former Pittsburgh City Councilman Eugene "Jeep" DePasquale, said the presentments are troubling.

"He was the leader of the caucus, and this shows a lack of attention to leadership," he said.