House GOP leader: I wasn't aware of any wrongdoing

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/pennsylvania/20091117_ap_housegopleaderiwasntawareofanywrongdoing.html

Posted on Tue, Nov. 17, 2009


House GOP leader: I wasn't aware of any wrongdoing
MARC LEVY

The Associated Press

HARRISBURG, Pa. - House Minority Leader Sam Smith said Tuesday that if prosecutors' allegations are true in a widening political corruption investigation then he was misled about the illegal use of millions of taxpayer dollars to boost Republican political campaigns.

Smith made his first public comments since Attorney General Tom Corbett announced charges last week against former House Speaker John Perzel and nine others with connections to the state House GOP.

Smith, the Republican floor leader since 2003, signed millions of dollars worth of contracts for a New Orleans company that, prosecutors allege, produced a computerized database of voter information that ended up being used in political campaigns.

But he said he was always advised by caucus lawyers and others that the contracts had legitimate, legislative purposes to continue the caucus' computer and communications systems.

"If those allegations are true, that's the caveat, then I would say that I was misled about ... what those contracts were actually being used for," Smith told reporters.

Smith, R-Jefferson, refused to say whether he believes Perzel or any one else lied to him. Asked whether Perzel, Perzel's former chief of staff Brian Preski and former House GOP chief counsel Brett Feese misled him, he said: "If those allegations are true, then yeah, because that's what I'm basing this on. I was misled."

[spanone]

1. sure, and cheney wasn't aware of torture....sure

[driver8]

2. "How to Make a Million Dollars and NEVER pay taxes"!! Two simple words...

"I forgot".

What a crock of shit.