Post by WaTcHeR on Apr 27, 2006 14:05:11 GMT -5
04/26/2006 - A former Allegheny County sheriff’s deputy charged with lying to a federal grand jury will plead guilty Wednesday to a reduced charge, his lawyer said today.
Former Lt. Cmdr. Richard A. Stewart Jr.’s decision caps months of negotiations with federal prosecutors, making him the third deputy to plead guilty or be convicted during a grand jury investigation into campaign finances abuses and other misconduct in the office of Sheriff Pete DeFazio.
“This was the result of a lot of work on both sides,” said Stewart’s attorney, Joseph K. Williams III.
Stewart, 58, of Penn Hills, was indicted last year on four felony charges of lying to the grand jury.
Stewart will plead guilty to one misdemeanor charge, said his lawyer, who declined to comment on whether any deal was struck on what punishment Stewart will receive, or if Stewart will cooperate with prosecutors.
Former Capt. Frank Schiralli, 53, of McKees Rocks, was convicted in September of lying to the grand jury and is serving a 26-month sentence in a federal prison in North Carolina. Former Chief Deputy Sheriff Dennis Skosnik, 54, of North Fayette, pleaded guilty in March to five counts of wire fraud, mail fraud, bribery, money laundering and witness tampering. He is awaiting sentencing in June.
Former Lt. Cmdr. Richard A. Stewart Jr.’s decision caps months of negotiations with federal prosecutors, making him the third deputy to plead guilty or be convicted during a grand jury investigation into campaign finances abuses and other misconduct in the office of Sheriff Pete DeFazio.
“This was the result of a lot of work on both sides,” said Stewart’s attorney, Joseph K. Williams III.
Stewart, 58, of Penn Hills, was indicted last year on four felony charges of lying to the grand jury.
Stewart will plead guilty to one misdemeanor charge, said his lawyer, who declined to comment on whether any deal was struck on what punishment Stewart will receive, or if Stewart will cooperate with prosecutors.
Former Capt. Frank Schiralli, 53, of McKees Rocks, was convicted in September of lying to the grand jury and is serving a 26-month sentence in a federal prison in North Carolina. Former Chief Deputy Sheriff Dennis Skosnik, 54, of North Fayette, pleaded guilty in March to five counts of wire fraud, mail fraud, bribery, money laundering and witness tampering. He is awaiting sentencing in June.