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By JIM STRADER Associated Press
Tuesday, January 25, 2000 Page: 1A
HARRISBURG – Convicted lawmaker Frank A. Serafini on Monday ended the
turmoil about his status in the state House of Representatives by submitting a
two-sentence letter of resignation to Speaker Matthew J. Ryan.
The letter, in which the Republican from Old Forge said he would step down
Feb. 7, was read to the House during a brief session. Serafini offered no
reason for his decision in the letter.
For more than two months, since Serafini was sentenced to prison for
perjury, Democrats have sought his removal from the House. Joined by a handful
of Republicans, the Democrats cited the state constitution’s ban on convicted
perjurers serving in the General Assembly as the basis for his expulsion.
Serafini, who has served 21 years in the House, said in December he did not
plan to resign while appealing his conviction. He said he was innocent and
equated expulsion to “a political death sentence” that he could not reverse
if he were to win his appeal.
By making his resignation effective on Feb. 7, Serafini made it impossible
for Ryan to schedule a special election for the Lackawanna County seat in time
for the April 4 primary. Democrats have accused Republican leaders of
preventing Serafini’s ouster so they could delay an election and maintain
their 103-100 edge in the House.
Minority Leader H. William DeWeese said GOP leaders decided months ago “to
take the heat and preserve their majority.”
GOP leaders argued that Serafini was entitled to have his appeal decided
before he should consider resigning or face an expulsion vote.
Majority Leader John Perzel of Philadelphia, Serafini’s chief defender in
floor debate, said Monday that other House members “have had to deal with a
growing reality – that their constituents believe that Representative Serafini
should not remain in office.”
“Representative Serafini, understanding that reality today, has submitted
his resignation rather than subject the House to the expulsion process,”
Perzel said.
Serafini was not available for comment. His office staff said he returned
to the Scranton area after being given leave for the week.
DeWeese, of Greene County, criticized rank-and-file Republicans for
allowing the matter to be drawn out for so many weeks. The political goal of
maintaining a majority was placed ahead of their sworn duty to uphold the
constitution and expel Serafini, he said.
“Shame on you as you helped orchestrate this fallacious chapter in our
commonwealth’s history,” DeWeese said. “I hope you never forget how you
sullied your oath of office.”
Serafini was convicted at a trial in August of lying to a federal grand
jury investigating campaign contributions. He was accused of lying about not
being reimbursed by officials of a family business for a contribution he made
to Bob Dole’s 1996 presidential campaign.
A federal judge sentenced Serafini in November to five months in prison,
five months of house arrest, two years probation and fined him $30,000. The
judge allowed Serafini to remain free while his appeal is considered.
In addition to the Democratic attempts to expel Serafini, Attorney General
Mike Fisher went to Commonwealth Court, seeking to have Serafini removed from
office. Fisher also cited the constitution.
Commonwealth Court had scheduled a hearing on the matter for Thursday.
Fisher felt the matter should be decided sooner, preferably before the House
returned to session this week, and asked the Supreme Court to take the case.
The justices agreed and put the case on their calendar for next week in
Philadelphia.
Fisher spokesman Sean Connolly said the office would withdraw its case in
the wake of Serafini’s resignation.
Serafini is one of an increasing number of House members to face legal
troubles. Because most of those lawmakers are Republicans, the issue of
control of the House has been central to how the members address their
continued service in the legislature.
When Serafini’s resignation becomes effective in two weeks, the Republican
margin will slip to 102-100. Two other Republicans have criminal charges
pending against them and remain in the House, though both have said they will
not seek re-election this year.
Rep. Thomas W. Druce, R-Bucks, was charged last week with vehicular
homicide and seven other counts in connection with the death of a Harrisburg
man in a July hit-and-run accident.
Rep. Tracy Seyfert, R-Erie, has been indicted on federal charges connected
to the purchase of a surplus generator and other items from the federal
government.
One Democrat, Rep. Frank Gigliotti of Allegheny County, has been indicted
on 27 public corruption charges. He also has not resigned and is seeking
re-election to another term.