1-24 BONUSGATE - Foreman Speaks
FROM THE PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE REVIEW
HARRISBURG -- The former top aide to ex-Rep. Mike Veon testified on Thursday that Veon asked him to act as a go-between with a development company to secure a salary exceeding $100,000 a year for Mark Veon, the lawmaker's brother.
Jeffrey Foreman, a convicted felon, said he did so and that Leroy Kline, president of Delta Development Co., told him he would take care of it. Mark Veon collected a $160,000 salary at Delta Development's Cranberry office, prosecutors say.
Foreman testified yesterday at Veon's trial in Dauphin County Court on 19 criminal charges of misusing funds of a nonprofit he created and to which he steered $10 million in state funds over a decade. Veon through his lawyers maintains his innocence.
Delta got more than $1 million as a consultant for the Beaver Initiative for Growth, the nonprofit Veon is accused of misusing. BIG paid Delta from 2003 to 2007, according to the grand jury report.
Shortly after hiring Mark Veon, Delta signed a $450,000 contract with the House Democratic Caucus, the Tribune-Review reported in February 2006.
Mike Veon's lawyers dispute the allegation. The jury will hear from Mark Veon and Kline, said Veon's lawyer Dan Raynak.
Foreman acknowledged that Delta has a good reputation and did "good work."
Veon, 55, once a powerful legislative leader, faces charges including conflict of interest and theft. His trial enters its fifth day today.
Veon, the former No. 2 leader for House Democrats, is serving a six- to 14-year sentence in a state prison near Somerset. A jury convicted him in 2010 of 14 counts of using public resources for campaigns and having a conflict of interest as a legislator. Veon was convicted of approving state-paid bonuses to reward legislative staffers for campaign work.
In the same bonus scandal, Foreman pleaded guilty on charges of using public resources for campaigns. He was sentenced to 11 1/2 to 23 months in jail. He is on probation after serving eight months in the Dauphin County jail.
Asked by Raynak who else could corroborate his conversation with Kline, Foreman said no one.
Foreman testified he was surprised when Veon told him Foreman's Harrisburg law firm would get $4,000 per month to represent BIG. It was a no-bid contract, and Foreman had a concern.
"Wouldn't it be strange for a law firm in Harrisburg to represent a Beaver County nonprofit?" Foreman recalled telling Veon.
Prosecutors claim the "retainer" was a plum for Foreman's political loyalty. Foreman testified Veon told him it was "because I was a team player."
Foreman lined up campaign workers from Veon's legislative staff, prosecutors say.
His law firm did about five to eight hours of work per month for BIG, Foreman said.
On cross-examination, Foreman acknowledged he did nothing to cancel or reduce the monthly payment.
HARRISBURG -- The former top aide to ex-Rep. Mike Veon testified on Thursday that Veon asked him to act as a go-between with a development company to secure a salary exceeding $100,000 a year for Mark Veon, the lawmaker's brother.
Jeffrey Foreman, a convicted felon, said he did so and that Leroy Kline, president of Delta Development Co., told him he would take care of it. Mark Veon collected a $160,000 salary at Delta Development's Cranberry office, prosecutors say.
Foreman testified yesterday at Veon's trial in Dauphin County Court on 19 criminal charges of misusing funds of a nonprofit he created and to which he steered $10 million in state funds over a decade. Veon through his lawyers maintains his innocence.
Delta got more than $1 million as a consultant for the Beaver Initiative for Growth, the nonprofit Veon is accused of misusing. BIG paid Delta from 2003 to 2007, according to the grand jury report.
Shortly after hiring Mark Veon, Delta signed a $450,000 contract with the House Democratic Caucus, the Tribune-Review reported in February 2006.
Mike Veon's lawyers dispute the allegation. The jury will hear from Mark Veon and Kline, said Veon's lawyer Dan Raynak.
Foreman acknowledged that Delta has a good reputation and did "good work."
Veon, 55, once a powerful legislative leader, faces charges including conflict of interest and theft. His trial enters its fifth day today.
Veon, the former No. 2 leader for House Democrats, is serving a six- to 14-year sentence in a state prison near Somerset. A jury convicted him in 2010 of 14 counts of using public resources for campaigns and having a conflict of interest as a legislator. Veon was convicted of approving state-paid bonuses to reward legislative staffers for campaign work.
In the same bonus scandal, Foreman pleaded guilty on charges of using public resources for campaigns. He was sentenced to 11 1/2 to 23 months in jail. He is on probation after serving eight months in the Dauphin County jail.
Asked by Raynak who else could corroborate his conversation with Kline, Foreman said no one.
Foreman testified he was surprised when Veon told him Foreman's Harrisburg law firm would get $4,000 per month to represent BIG. It was a no-bid contract, and Foreman had a concern.
"Wouldn't it be strange for a law firm in Harrisburg to represent a Beaver County nonprofit?" Foreman recalled telling Veon.
Prosecutors claim the "retainer" was a plum for Foreman's political loyalty. Foreman testified Veon told him it was "because I was a team player."
Foreman lined up campaign workers from Veon's legislative staff, prosecutors say.
His law firm did about five to eight hours of work per month for BIG, Foreman said.
On cross-examination, Foreman acknowledged he did nothing to cancel or reduce the monthly payment.