DeWeese, Stetler released on $50,000 bail each

State Rep. Bill DeWeese, the former speaker of the House, and former state revenue secretary Stephen Stetler were released on $50,000 bail each this morning, a day after being swept up in the Bonusgate corruption scandal.

As he left a district magistrate's office in suburban Harrisburg, DeWeese, 59, recounted in fine detail how he has cooperated with Attorney General Tom Corbett's probe from its start nearly three years ago.

"Our cooperation was at the dizzying zenith," said DeWeese, who refused to answer questions before ducking into a car that took him to a local police department where he was to be fingerprinted and photographed.

DeWeese's long time aide Sharon Rodavich also was released on $50,000 bail.

All three are charged with theft, conflict of interest and conspiracy.

Among other things, DeWeese is accused of using his legislative staff, including Rodavich, as a taxpayer funded campaign team.

Prosecutors allege that as a legislator, Stetler, 60, oversaw house staffers who performed campaign related opposition research on political opponents.

Stetler refused to comment when he left the magistrate's office.

District Magistrate William Wenner ordered all three to turn over their passports.