Morganelli accuses Corbett of mishandling 'Bonusgate'

Attorney General Tom CorbettThe campaign for Democratic attorney general candidate John Morganelli is accusing incumbent Tom Corbett of the same illegal politicking the Republican has charged occurred in the House Democratic Caucus during 'Bonusgate.'

Citing a Sunday newspaper article in the Lebanon Daily News, the campaign said some Corbett staffers have doubled as campaigners as the attorney general tries to fend off Morganelli in a race many have tagged as competitive. Although dual roles are not illegal, Morganelli's campaign alleges some of those staffers were reimbursed for campaign work with taxpayer money.

"During the period that they were doing the political work, they did NOT take a leave of absence, but still were on the state payroll," the campaign said in a statement. "It is the same conduct, in part, for which Senator Fumo is being prosecuted for."

Corbett has charged 12 current and former HDC members with a litany of campaign abuses, including a million-dollar bonus program designed to reward state workers for campaign work. Morganelli's press release also referenced state Sen. Vince Fumo (D-Philadelphia), who has been charged with more than a hundred counts of federal corruption.

Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley told the Lebanon Daily News the campaign work performed by the attorney general's staffers was much different than what his office alleges the HDC did. The state workers who are campaigning for Corbett has taken an unpaid leave of absence, Harley said.

"There's a right way to do this, and a legal way, and that is what's being done (in the attorney general's office,)" Harley told the paper.

Morganelli has not shied away from attacking Corbett over 'Bonusgate,' telling the Lancaster New Era late last week that Corbett made a mistake by not investigating all four General Assembly caucuses simultaneously.