Corruption trial set to open for ex-Rep. Stetler

June 18, 2012 at 8:39a.m.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Testimony is about to begin in what may be the final trial spawned by the Pennsylvania attorney general’s investigation into corruption in the state Legislature.

The trial of former Rep. Stephen Stetler starts Monday. The attorney general’s office says its investigation is ongoing, but Stetler’s the last defendant waiting to be tried.

The 62-year-old Stetler has pleaded not guilty to four counts of theft and one count each of conspiracy and conflict of interest. Prosecutors say he used taxpayer-paid employees to carry out campaign work, including research to expose the weaknesses of political opponents.

He represented a York County district for 16 years and chaired the House Democratic Campaign Committee for several years. He was state revenue secretary under former Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell when he was arrested in 2009.