Judge refuses to dismiss refiled Veon charges

A Dauphin County judge today rejected attempts by former state Rep. Mike Veon and his top aide to dismiss criminal charges stemming from the operation of the Beaver Initiative for Growth.

President Judge Richard A. Lewis also assigned the case to District Judge William Wenner for a preliminary hearing.

Charges were dismissed three weeks ago after a hearing before District Judge Joseph Solomon, but the state attorney general's office refiled them, claiming Judge Solomon had applied the wrong standard of proof for a preliminary hearing.

Mr. Veon and Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink are charged with misusing millions of dollars from the Beaver Initiative for Growth, a nonprofit created by Mr. Veon to spur community development. Prosecutors claim money from the organization was used to support Mr. Veon's political campaigns and provide no-work jobs for supporters.

No date has been set for a new preliminary hearing.