Mixed verdict for two in Pa. corruption case

Associated Press

SCRANTON, Pa.

A federal jury convicted two northeastern Pennsylvania politicians of some bribery and extortion charges in a corruption case but acquitted them of mail fraud and other counts.

Jurors deliberated for a little over six hours Tuesday before convicting Lackawanna County Commissioner A.J. Munchak of some conspiracy, bribery, extortion and tax evasion counts, The (Scranton) Times-Tribune said. But the panel acquitted him of all eight mail fraud counts as well as other bribery, extortion and racketeering and conspiracy counts.

Former commissioner Robert Cordaro was convicted of multiple conspiracy charges along with money laundering, bribery, extortion, and tax evasion, but jurors acquitted him of all 12 mail fraud counts as well as one charge of conspiracy to commit honest services mail fraud and other counts, the paper said.

Munchak said after the verdict that he planned to resign today. Cordaro lost a re-election bid in 2007.

Prosecutors accused the two of taking bribes from companies seeking county business and extorting companies that held lucrative government contracts. Their indictment last year was part of a larger probe targeting corruption in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.

Both men took the stand to deny the allegations.

Cordaro accused the government of giving witnesses immunity from prosecution to get them to testify that he and Munchak were corrupt.