Michael Manzo

A surge in voter turnout and success at the top of the Democratic ticket will likely propel House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese (D-Greene County) to re-election despite last week's bombshell testimony from the longtime incumbent's former chief of staff, a southwest Pennsylvania political science professor tells PolitickerPA.com.

DeWeese faces a rematch this fall against Republican Greg Hopkins, whom he defeated in 2006 by little more than a 1,000 votes. Since 2006, DeWeese has become embroiled in the latest Harrisburg scandal, "Bonusgate," which Hopkins has used to portray the majority leader as corrupt and out of touch.

Bonusgate might have been enough to push Hopkins to victory in 2006, said Joseph DiSarro, chairman of the Washington & Jefferson College department of political science. But 2008 has "a new set of variables," he said, primarily a presidential election likely to drive many longtime Democrats who didn't vote in 2006 to cast a ballot this year. 

"Turnout is going to be much higher," DiSarro said. "(2008 and 2006) are absolutely different scenarios."

HARRISBURG -- Michael Manzo will not have any of his charges dropped in exchange for his testimony, according to his attorney, Jim Eisenhower. Manzo will plead guilty to all of the charges he faces, he said.

"The government has agreed to let his cooperation be known at the time of his sentencing," Eisenhower said while talking with reporters after his client's testimony.

He added Manzo is "extremely remorseful."

Manzo faces an array of felonies for his involvement in "Bonusgate."

Eisenhower reiterated his client's testimony that House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese (D-Greene County) had direct knowledge of the illegal bonuses given in exchange for campaign work.

"I think you just heard it," he said. "It was pretty clear."

UPDATED: House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese knew bonuses were illegally being paid to legislative staffers in exchange for political work, according to testimony given Wednesday by his former chief of staff Michael Manzo.

"I believe he did, yes," Manzo said.

DeWeese has repeatedly denied any involvement in "Bonusgate."

Angela Bertugli got her job because she was sleeping with Michael Manzo, former chief of staff to Democratic Leader Bill DeWeese. How do we know that? Because she admitted it during the Bonusgate investigation. The former Miss Rain Day in 2001 started off in 2004 making a little over $20,000. Today Bertugli is still working for the state and is being paid $45,344 a year as a legislative researcher.