Capitolwire: Perzel did opposition research on Republicans

Speaker of the House Emeritus John Perzel (R-Philadelphia) wants back into leadership, and he's allegedly ready to throw a few elbows to get there, Capitolwire reports Tuesday (subscription required).

GOP opposition researcher Joe Carduff told the news service he was hired by Perzel to conduct research on fellow House Republicans, including Minority Leader Sam Smith, Policy Chairman Mike Turzai, and the six Republicans who voted for Speaker of the House Dennis O'Brien (R-Philadelphia) after the 2006 election.

A Perzel spokesman denied the allegations and said Carduff was hired to do opposition research only on Democrats.

Perzel is rumored to be interested in reclaiming the caucus leadership role, which is held now by Smith. Nearly all reports and sources contacted by PolitickerPA.com indicate Turzai is ready to take over as minority whip, especially after current Minority Whip David Argall announced his intention to run for Jim Rhoades' seat in the Senate.

Carduff said he wasn't able to find anything usable against those whom he researched, including two Democrats -- state reps. Josh Shapiro (D-Montgomery County) and Mike Gerber (D-Montgomery County). He also told Capitolwire he was hired to do perform opposition research on Perzel to hide whom he was working for.

Perzel and Carduff disagree over an alleged $2,000 the opposition researcher was paid.

Perzel supporters say the payment was solely for opposition research on Democrats, work they said Carduff in fact didn't do in the first place.

Carduff said he researched both sides but wasn't paid after not finding anything usable.