Pennsylvania House Lawmaker Convicted of Taking Bribes
A Pennsylvania state lawmaker faces the possibility of prison time after a jury last week convicted her of charges she accepted $4,000 in cash from an undercover informant seven years ago.
November 02, 2018 at 02:30 PM
3 minute read
A Pennsylvania state lawmaker faces the possibility of prison time after a jury last week convicted her of charges she accepted $4,000 in cash from an undercover informant seven years ago.
A Harrisburg jury found Philadelphia Democratic Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown guilty of bribery, five counts of conflict of interest and failing to properly file a financial disclosure form.
“We're disappointed in the outcome,” said Lowery Brown's lawyer, Pat Casey. “We will continue to fight on her behalf, and it is a classic case of government overreach.”
Casey said he expected to appeal.
The trial pitted prosecutors who argued she took the money in exchange for official favors against Lowery Brown's defense team, which argued she had been entrapped into taking the money.
Lowery Brown is unopposed in seeking a sixth term in this month's election. She declined to say what her plans are for her seat.
Prosecutor Mike Sprow said although he was uncertain about the details, if she is sentenced before the new session begins in December, it may affect her ability to qualify for lifetime health benefits and her pension. Sentencing was scheduled for Nov. 28.
A spokeswoman for the State Employees' Retirement System said she was unsure why the Dec. 1 date would be significant, but that after Lowery Brown is sentenced, her case will be reviewed to see if it qualifies for pension forfeiture under state law.
The verdict, Sprow said, is “obviously what we believed was appropriate in this case. I think the jurors saw through the entrapment defense.”
House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, D-Allegheny, said Lowery Brown must relinquish her seat in the House no later than the day she is sentenced. A special election to fill the seat would then be scheduled by the House speaker.
“She waged a long legal battle and mounted a defense against the charges, but the verdict rendered today means she must face the consequences,” Dermody said.
Sprow said the sentencing range on six of the seven counts is up to nine months, so it is possible Lowery Brown may get state prison time.
Lowery Brown told a grand jury in 2014 she knew taking the money was wrong. She had previously agreed to plead guilty in the case but changed her mind.
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