Ex-Atty. General of Pennsylvania Gets Prison Time

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The state’s former attorney general was sentenced to 14 months in prison Thursday for taking secret campaign contributions from operators of illegal video poker machines.

“I’m a strong guy. I’m not afraid to do time,” Ernie Preate Jr., who plans an appeal, said outside court. “I can do federal prison standing on my head.”

Preate, the state’s top law enforcement officer since 1989, also was fined $25,000, barred from seeking office during his two years’ probation and ordered to perform 300 hours of community service after his prison term.

Preate resigned in June after pleading guilty to mail fraud, admitting that he filed fraudulent campaign finance reports to cover up the contributions.

The plea bargain did not address allegations that the illegal contributions bought relaxed enforcement of gambling laws.

Defense lawyer Herbert Stern asked U.S. District Judge Sylvia Rambo for probation. “Preate has already paid a staggering price for his offense,” he said.

“His wounds are self-inflicted,” replied Assistant U.S. Atty. William Behe.