Year In Review: LeAnna Washington Resigns From Office After Pleading Guilty To Felony Charge
By Brad Segall
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- KYW Newsradio is taking a look back at some of the top stories of 2014. Long-time State Senator LeAnna Washington resigned from office this year after pleading guilty to a felony charge related to a political corruption investigation by the state attorney general's office.
The 69-year-old former lawmaker, who represented parts of Philadelphia and Montgomery County, pleaded guilty to a conflict of interest charge. She admitted using Senate staffers and resources to plan birthday parties, which were really campaign fundraisers.
She received five years probation, the first three months on house arrest.
She said, "I've always been known to stand up for what I believe in and what is right, however this resolution is the best decision for my constituents, my family."
Carolyn Myers, a spokeswoman with the attorney general's office, said, "Her admission of guilt is also an indication that she broke the trust of the people who elected her into office. The people of Pennsylvania will not tolerate this kind of blatant abuse of taxpayer resources."
The judge told her history will likely remember how she left office, not what she did while she was in office.
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