On Thursday March 15th, the U.S. Attorney General announced corruption charges against former Senator Bob Mellow-D. The U.S. AG's Office along with the FBI and the IRS held a press conference to announce this development in an on-going investigation, which included a raid of Mellow's home and office in June 2010 only months after Mellow announced his resignation after 40 years in office. The former Senator is charged with mail fraud and filing a false income tax return. Carrying a maximum sentence of 5 years and $250,000, the charges also include allegations of Mellow misusing Pennsylvania Senate staff and taxpayer money for his campaign purposes. It is said he is cooperating and that a plea agreement is likely to come. Senator Mellow joins other Pennsylvania elected leaders similarly charged in the past few years: Senator Vince Fumo-D (found guilty of 137 felony counts); Representative Mike Veon-D (found guilty of 14 felony counts); Representative John Perzel-R (pleaded guilty to 8 felony counts); and Representative Bill DeWeese-D (found guilty of 5 felony charges).--Tara Leo Auchey r