Pa. legislative corruption trial begins for 3 GOP defendants

Fina identified Perzel as the moving force behind an alleged scheme that initially tapped tax-paid computer specialists in the House GOP caucus.

The scheme eventually widened to including the hiring - mostly at public expense - of out-of-state consultants to develop customized computer programs and provide data about voters’ political preferences and lifestyles, Fina said.

But despite Perzel’s guilty plea last month, Fina said responsibility is shared by others including the three defendants: Brett Feese, former representative and a one-time House GOP whip and former head of the House Republican Campaign Committee; Brian Preski, Perzel’s former chief of staff; and former Feese aide Jill Seaman.

Perzel, who lost his Philadelphia House seat in last year’s election, and five other officials who have pleaded guilty to reduced charges in the case are expected to testify, Fina said.

Preski’s lawyer, William Winning, told the jurors any responsibility for the wrongdoing belongs to Perzel and others, not his client.

“Brian is not a criminal. He’s not a thief. He didn’t steal any money from the taxpayers of Pennsylvania and he … is not criminally responsible for what happened,’’ said Winning, the first defense lawyer to address the jury.

County Judge Richard Lewis has said the trial is expected to last about eight weeks.

Fina said one consultant - New Orleans-based GCR & Associates Inc. - received $9 million in public funds over several years for work that was largely tailored to political campaigns, including a product called “Candidate Connect’’ that Fina called “an A-to-Z guide for Republican candidates.’’