Perzel opponent takes issue with Corbett’s ‘Bonusgate’ delay

The Democratic challenger to longtime state Rep. John Perzel (R-Philadelphia) is criticizing state Attorney General Tom Corbett's decision to hold off on further indictments in his "Bonusgate" investigation until after the election, calling it a "failure to act" that is unfair to voters.

Rich Costello, a former northeast Philadelphia police officer who hopes to unseat the powerful Perzel in the 172nd Legislative District, said Corbett was shirking his duty to voters. Numerous news reports have indicated that Perzel is one of the Republicans under investigation by Corbett's office, specifically for a $1.8 million computer program purchased by House Republicans which was used for political purposes.

"The Attorney General has a responsibility to the citizens of Pennsylvania that does not take a break from October 1 to November 4," Costello said in a statement. "If Mr. Corbett purposely withholds evidence of corruption from voters, then he is himself guilty of misconduct."

Perzel's spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment Wednesday morning, and Perzel could not be reached on his cell phone.

But a campaign spokesman for Corbett reiterated the attorney general's reasoning for delaying any further indictments.

"There is only one week between now and the election when the grand jury will convene," spokesman Brian Nutt said. "[Corbett] knows this investigation very well and knows that his office cannot reasonably present before the grand jury in that one week all of the testimony and evidence necessary to complete the next phase of the investigation and to get a presentment of recommended charges from the grand jury.  

"It's unfortunate that someone who has spent his career in law enforcement wouldn't understand the types of issues that come up and the demands that are required by these sorts of investigations," Nutt added.