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Former State Treasurer pleads guilty to two counts of attempted extortion

Pennsylvania’s former Treasurer Rob McCord (D) pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted extortion on Tuesday in federal court in Harrisburg. McCord ackno...
Mccord PHOTO

Pennsylvania’s former Treasurer Rob McCord (D) pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted extortion on Tuesday in federal court in Harrisburg. McCord acknowledged he said, “You’re going to have the state treasurer looking to screw you.” He said it over the phone to a lawyer in Philadelphia. The lawyer worked at a firm that had done hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of work for the state.

McCord wanted more money from the law firm for his gubernatorial campaign and implied he would screw them over if they didn't donate $25,000. When he didn't get the money he said, "I'm still going to be the freaking treasurer. What the hell are they thinking?" McCord also tried to shake down a property management company for a hundred grand. If the company didn't donate the money he said he could take away benefits the company was getting from the state.

McCord lost the Democratic primary to current Gov. Tom Wolf.

McCord was free to go after the hearing until his sentencing, but he remained silent outside the courthouse. His lawyer didn't say more. When asked for a comment McCord's attorney, Robert Welsh, said, "Look we have no comment. You can ask a hundred times, but we have no comment." McCord is facing 40 years in prison and a $500,000 fine, but it will likely be less because of his cooperation with the state. He'll be back in court for a pre-sentencing hearing on June 29.

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