x
Breaking News
More () »

Pa lobbyist charged with wire fraud

HARRISBURG, Pa. —  The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a lobbyist has been charged with...
fraud

HARRISBURG, Pa. —  The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a lobbyist has been charged with wire fraud. According to the United States Attorney’s Office, John H. Estey, age 53, of Ardmore, was charged with wire fraud in a Criminal Information filed in U.S. District Court in Harrisburg.
The Information charges that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted an undercover investigation of lobbying in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. In that investigation, the FBI created an undercover business and hired Estey as a lobbyist to
influence passage of certain legislation beneficial to the undercover business. In 2011, as a part of that investigation, Estey agreed to secretly pay $20,000 in campaign contributions to members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly in connection with this legislation.

When he was paid funds, Estey only passed through $7,000 in campaign contributions while secretly keeping $13,000. The government also filed a plea agreement with Mr. Estey which is subject to approval of the court. A date for his initial appearance has not been set.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis C. Pfannenschmidt was designated United States Attorney for this case because United States Attorney Peter J. Smith recused himself.
The case was investigated by the FBI, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.
SOURCE: US Attorney’s Office press release

Before You Leave, Check This Out