Bonusgate & Eachus

TIMELINE:

7/7/09
Eachus Subpoenaed by Defense to Testify in Bonusgate Trial
http://www.timesleader.com/news/Eachus_gets_Bonusgate_subpoena_07-07-2009.html
Rep. Todd Eachus was among several dozen House members and staffers subpoenaed by defense counsel to testify today at a pre-trial hearing in the Bonusgate case.
Eachus, who represents the nine Hazleton area municipalities of the 116th District and is the leader of the House Democratic Caucus, said the subpoenas are nothing more than "an aggressive defense tactic" by attorneys for former Beaver County state Rep. Mike Veon and other defendants in the Your search terms appear times.

12/4/09
Eachus Invited to Testify Before Grand Jury
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09338/1018310-454.stm

Such letters of invitation, unlike subpoenas, which are used to compel a grand jury appearance by witnesses, have been sent in the past to individuals thought to be targets of the jury.

Such letters were sent to earlier defendants in the sprawling investigation that came to be known as Bonusgate.

Gov. Ed Rendell yesterday confirmed the letter to Mr. Stetler, who informed the governor's staff last week. The letters to Mr. Eachus and Mr. DeWeese were confirmed by sources connected to the probe but who spoke on condition of anonymity because grand jury proceedings are secret. Press secretaries for Mr. Stetler and Mr. Eachus declined comment. Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09338/1018310-454.stm#ixzz0nq1rZsCY

"In my experience, when an individual has received that invitation letter ... they often fall into that category of people who may be charged or are likely to be charged," Michael Engle, the president of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, told The Patriot-News.
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2009/12/pennsylvania_house_majority_le.html

12/29/09
House Democrat Calls for Eachus to Resign from Leadership Position
http://votelentz.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83:democrat-calls-for-new-house-leadership&catid=5:news&Itemid=8

"The crisis in public confidence in Harrisburg has reached a tipping point," Mr. Lentz asserted in a letter to Mr. Eachus and released to the Post-Gazette today. "Our caucus needs to begin anew and demonstrate in dramatic fashion that we are capable of cleaning our own house and refocusing on the citizens of Pennsylvania."
Mr. Eachus so far has refused to discuss the "invitation" to appear before the investigating grand jury.

3/5/10
Eachus (who was subpoenaed to testify) was never called to testify in the Bonusgate Case against former Rep. Mike Veon and three former aides.



Currently:

1) Many unanswered questions on Eachus' involvement with Bonusgate.

2) If Eachus is charged, the House Caucus rules require that he step down.