Feese gets 4-12 years in corruption case
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Brett Feese -- Ex-state legislator
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HARRISBURG -- Brett Feese, a one-time local prosecutor who became a rising Republican star in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, was sentenced Friday to four to 12 years in state prison and fined $25,000 for his role in a state corruption scandal.
Dauphin County Judge Richard Lewis also ordered the former Lycoming County lawmaker to pay $1 million in restitution and serve two years of probation.
Mr. Feese, 57, was among 25 people connected to the House GOP and Democratic caucuses who were arrested after a five-year investigation of the Legislature by the state attorney general's office.
A Dauphin County jury convicted Mr. Feese of all 40 counts in a case that involved the misuse of millions of taxpayer dollars by hiring out-of-state consultants and diverting legislative employees to develop customized computer software to help elect more Republicans to the Legislature.
The judge said he was impressed by Mr. Feese's involvement in charitable causes and the many people who attested to his good character, but that the actions for which he was convicted constituted "a flagrant violation of public trust."
While Mr. Feese was not an architect of the scheme, "arguably, he should have known better," Judge Lewis said.
Jill Seaman, Mr. Feese's co-defendant and former legislative aide, was convicted on identical charges of theft, conspiracy, conflict of interest, hindering apprehension and obstruction. Ms. Seaman was sentenced last month to nine to 23 months in a county jail work-release program.
Chief Deputy Attorney General Frank Fina, the lead prosecutor, said he was satisfied with the verdict.
"We're gratified by the work of the jury and the message that our public officials should not be using the people's resources for personal and campaign purposes," he said.
Mr. Feese's lawyer, Joshua Lock, said he considered his client's sentence harsh but fair.
Mr. Feese was released after the hearing. The judge ordered him to report Feb. 28 to begin serving his prison term.
First Published February 11, 2012 12:00 am
