Ex-convict wins Dem panel post

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- A former Pittsburgh councilman who served a prison term for a federal corruption conviction has been elected vice chairman of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee.
Ben Woods, 62, of Pittsburgh, defeated newcomer Matt Smith, a Mount Lebanon lawyer, by a 361-344 vote Saturday.
Woods was convicted of 17 counts of conspiracy, extortion and tax evasion in 1989 and served three years in federal prison.
"People now have to focus on what I do now" as opposed to what happened in the past, Woods said.
Woods said his goal is to get the Democrats working together again, but the close vote underscored reservations about Woods.
"I've had some people say to me, 'Hey, he's paid his debt, but the party don't owe him a thing,'" said Jonathan Robison, vice chairman of the city's 4th Ward. "Ben carries some very heavy baggage with him."
Party chairwoman Jean Milko said she looks forward to working with Woods, whom she called an asset to the party.
"He's a good candidate. He knows the city. ... He did his job and he's paid his dues," said former Mayor Sophie Masloff.