A statewide grand jury says that except for former House Speaker John Perzel, aide Brian J. Preski "became arguably the most powerful person" in the House Republican caucus.

Mr. Preski is a Philadelphia lawyer and served as chief of staff to Mr. Perzel, who was House speaker from early 2003 to January 2007.

Mr. Preski had worked in the House since 1995 and was Perzel chief of staff from 2000 to early 2007. Mr. Preski was a key figure in helping Mr. Perzel and other Republican leaders run the House during those years.

Most Capitol observers agree that Mr. Preski was a hard worker and an effective chief of staff.

"Preski was Ace No. 1 -- he always seemed to be flying," said Rep. Karen Beyer, R-Northampton. "You'd never see him standing in one place. He'd be off. That's what he was like."

Mr. Preski, 44, was one of the 10 people charged with public corruption yesterday by state Attorney General Tom Corbett. Mr. Preski faces a total of 72 counts, including theft of services, theft by deception, criminal conspiracy and conflict of interest. He faces a maximum of 480 years in prison and a fine of more than $1 million.

After Mr. Perzel lost his job as speaker in January 2007, Mr. Preski joined the Philadelphia-based law firm of WolfBlock as a partner in the Business Litigation Practice Group. However, the WolfBlock firm, which had 625 lawyers, dissolved itself in March, at least in part due to the ongoing national recession.

Before leading Mr. Perzel's House staff, Mr. Preski was the chief clerk for the state House; chief of staff for the House majority leader (a position Mr. Perzel held before becoming speaker in April 2003); and chief counsel to the House Judiciary Committee. He also once worked in the Philadelphia district attorney office.

When Mr. Preski joined WolfBlock, Chairman Mark Alderman said that with Mr. Preski's "first-hand experience of government and legislative process, combined with his legal savvy from his service in the district attorney's office, he will be a significant asset to our clients."

The Philadelphia Daily News reported yesterday that Mr. Preski received $31,900 in state-funded bonuses in 2005 and 2006, "when he did political work on the side for Perzel while keeping his state post."

Mr. Preski also has served as board chairman of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, an important agency that manages port activities along the Delaware River; chairman of the Greater Philadelphia Film agency; a board member of the Drexel University School of Medicine; a former board member of the Delaware River Maritime Enterprise Council; and a former vice chairman of the state Supreme Court's criminal rules procedural committee.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.