Nov 27, 2013 1 min read

HARRISBURG – Former state Rep. Bill DeWeese has lost another round in his bid for a new trial on corruption charges.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court refused Tuesday to consider DeWeese’s appeal of a ruling against him by a three-judge Superior Court panel in August.

DeWeese, 63, is serving at least 2½ years at Retreat State Prison in northeastern Pennsylvania for using public employees and taxpayer resources for political purposes.

The lower court said the trial record showed that DeWeese stole taxpayer-provided services worth more than $100,000 and rejected his claim that the trial judge abused his discretion at sentencing. The lion’s share of the money was attributed to a former aide who handled DeWeese’s political fundraising and testified against him under a grant of immunity from prosecutors.

Former House speaker DeWeese represented Greene County for 35 years, serving much of his tenure in Democratic leadership, including a two-year stint as House speaker.

He was the only sitting legislator to stand trial among the 25 Democrats and Republicans connected to the House of Representatives who were arrested in a sweeping state corruption probe. Most of the defendants were convicted.

DeWeese’s attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment Wednesday.