Prosecutors Urge Judge To Keep Sen. LeAnna Washington's Trial in Montco
By Brad Segall
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- State prosecutors believe embattled Pennsylvania state senator LeAnna Washington can get a fair trial in Montgomery County, and they are opposing her request to move the case to Philadelphia.
As expected, the state attorney general's office has laid out that argument in a court filing in Norristown (see related story).
Prosecutors say the birthday campaign fundraiser that Washington threw was not the crime. The crime, they say, is using paid state employees to plan and organize that party during state workdays (another related story).
They go on to say that work was done at Washington's offices in Philadelphia, Roslyn (Abington Township, Montgomery County), and Harrisburg.
A multi-county grand jury indicted the 68-year-old lawmaker, and the presiding judge selected Montgomery County as the venue for the trial.
Washington's attorneys argue that the people and issues in the case are centered in Philadelphia and the trial should be held there.
Judge Steven O'Neill is expected to hold a full hearing on the change-of-venue request later this summer.