Defense loses ruling in Pa. legislative bonus case

HARRISBURG (AP) — Defendants in Pennsylvania’s legislative corruption case won’t get a chance to call witnesses to explore their argument that prosecutors singled them out because they’re Democrats.

Dauphin County Judge Richard Lewis denied a defense attempt today to have charges thrown out based on claims of selective prosecution and prosecutorial misconduct.

Judge Lewis also turned down defense requests to force prosecutors to turn over more material and to move the trial out of Harrisburg.

He says defense efforts to obtain grand jury material is in the hands of the judge that supervises the secret panel.

Twelve people connected with the House Democratic caucus are facing charges they helped divert government personnel and resources for campaigns or other illegal purposes.