43 counts against former Allegheny coroner dropped

PITTSBURGH - Federal prosecutors have dismissed 43 of 84 criminal counts against former Allegheny County Coroner Cyril Wecht. In a document filed yesterday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Stallings said some of the charges against Wecht, 76, are being dismissed to streamline the trial. Stallings said the government is not seeking to dismiss any of the four schemes to defraud.

Wecht, a renowned pathologist who has consulted on high-profile deaths, is accused of using his public office and staff to benefit his private practice.

- AP