Corbett tries to pre-empt charges of partisanship

Attorney General Tom Corbett's announcement Monday that his office will not present additional "Bonusgate" charges before Election Day means the Republican official will have charged only Democrats in the matter when voters go to the polls.

The attorney general in July charged 12 former and current House Democratic lawmakers and staffers with misusing taxpayer money and resources, indictments Republicans have used this election season to paint House Democrats as rife with corruption.

House Democrats hold a one-member advantage, 102-101, over Republicans.

Corbett tried to preemptively deflect accusations of partisanship creeping into his handling of "Bonusgate" after the announcement.

"Some interested parties have accused me of partisanship since this investigation began and those accusations are wrong, but I accept the fact that they are inevitable, especially in an election year," Corbett said. "I can only respond by repeating what I have said so many times already -- I, and the career lawyers and career investigators in my office, are conducting this investigation as thoroughly, fairly, honestly and quickly as we can."

Corbett faces Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli this fall as he vies for re-election. Morganelli has consistently accused Corbett of mishandling "Bonusgate," saying the attorney general waited too long to investigate Republicans.