Convicted state Rep. Bill DeWeese has handed in his resignation from Pennsylvania's House of Representatives.
A spokesman for House Speaker Sam Smith says Smith received the letter yesterday and that DeWeese's resignation takes effect at noon Tuesday, less than two hours before he is scheduled to be sentenced on corruption charges. Legislative offices were closed Tuesday for the primary election.
DeWeese, a former longtime House Democratic leader and former House speaker, was convicted in February on five felony counts for the illegal use of state resources for political campaigns.
The state constitution bars felons from serving in the Legislature, but that ban is triggered only after sentencing. State prosecutors have urged a long prison term for the Greene County lawmaker.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
