Bill DeWeese

H. William DeWeese (born April 18, 1950) is an American politician who is a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

DeWeese was born April 18, 1950, in Pittsburgh and raised in rural Greene County.

After earning a B.A. in history at Wake Forest University, he joined the United States Marine Corps 1972–1975.

After leaving the Marines, DeWeese was elected to the Pennsylvania House in a 1976 special election and represented the 50th district (consisting of all of Greene and parts of Fayette and Washington Counties) for the ensuing thirty-six years.

DeWeese's ascent through the echelons of House Democratic leadership began when he was elected by his colleagues as Majority Whip in 1988.

Upon the death of Speaker of the House James Manderino, DeWeese was elected House Majority Leader in January 1990, serving in that position until he was elected Speaker of the House for the 1993–94 term.

A member of the Democratic Party, DeWeese served as the 135th Speaker of the Pennsylvania House from 1993 to 1994.

In 1994, he lost the Speakership when Democrat Rep. Tom Stish switched parties, giving the GOP the majority.

He went on to serve as Minority Leader from 1994 until 2006.

With the election of fellow Democrat Ed Rendell as Governor of Pennsylvania in 2003, DeWeese was able to wield more influence than otherwise would have been expected from a Minority legislator.

DeWeese supported a legislative and judicial pay raise in 2005.

After criticism from the media and activist groups, DeWeese joined his colleagues in a near unanimous repeal of the pay raise.

DeWeese reorganized the Democratic Caucus following the vote.

Members who voted in favor of the pay raise were promoted to those positions; while those who voted against lost such positions as a result of their opposition.

Republicans and a small number of fellow Democrats, including Governor Ed Rendell, criticized DeWeese's move; but he stood by his decision, explaining that those who opposed the pay-raise legislation knew the realignment would be a consequence.

Following November 2006 elections, a tight race in Chester County gave a slim 102-101 majority to the Democrats, DeWeese became Democratic speaker-designate.

Despite the defeats of several legislative leaders in the wake of the pay scandal, DeWeese fought off a 2006 primary election challenge and was elected for an additional term in office on November 7, 2006.

In 2006, the Democratic party won a 102–101 majority in the House, giving DeWeese a second chance at the speaker's gavel.

However, several Democratic representatives were rumored to be unhappy with DeWeese.

Among them were Rep. Rosita Youngblood of Philadelphia, whom DeWeese accused of being "owned lock, stock and barrel" by Perzel Incorporated.

Caltagirone publicly announced his intention to support Perzel, thereby denying DeWeese the Speakership.

However, Democrats foiled Perzel's move by nominating a Republican, Dennis O'Brien for Speaker.

O'Brien went on to win the election.

DeWeese initially attempted to block Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett's investigation into whether the House Democratic caucus made illegal payments to staffers, with motions to quash subpoenas and exclude evidence seized.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied petitions to block the subpoenas.

DeWeese negotiated an agreement with the Office of Attorney General to turn over evidence, but the terms of the negotiation have not been made public.

Documents DeWeese turned over to the Attorney General revealed that DeWeese acknowledged awarding bonuses for campaign work and used a state-paid consultant to perform political tasks.

Despite the fact that the email said "Thank you for the bonus for campaigning", DeWeese argued that he thought he was being thanked for a Christmas bonus.

Alternatively, DeWeese has argued that the response did not come from him.

Evidence also showed that DeWeese and his top aides directed a state-paid consultant to perform political work.

Evidence in the case also revealed DeWeese's bizarre personal demands of his staff.

Days before the General Assembly convened on January 2, 2007, Rep. Thomas Caltagirone of Berks County announced he would not support DeWeese as speaker but would remain a Democrat.

For the second time, DeWeese was denied the speakership by a member of his own party.

DeWeese then nominated Philadelphia County Republican Rep. Dennis O'Brien for the office of Speaker.

O'Brien defeated fellow Northeast Philadelphia Republican John Perzel in a 105–97 vote.

After five years of investigation by Republican State Attorney General Tom Corbett, he was indicted in December 2009 on six charges of conflict of interest, theft and criminal conspiracy on accusations that two members of his staff used state resources to campaign for political office.

The trial began January 23, 2010.

He maintains that the prosecution was politically motivated, and part of an ongoing feud with Corbett, who became Governor in 2011.

He was re-elected in 2010 despite the charges, but was convicted of five of the six felony charges on February 6, 2012.

In April 2012, DeWeese was sentenced to 30 to 60 months in state prison, and subsequently resigned his house seat.