SCRANTON (AP) - Former state Senate Democratic Leader Robert Mellow has pleaded guilty in a public corruption case involving the misuse of his taxpayer-funded staff.
Mellow appeared Wednesday in federal court in Scranton to plead guilty to a conspiracy charge.
Mellow faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced at a later date.
A sentencing memorandum filed by prosecutors says Mellow illegally used his staff for campaign and fundraising between 2006 and 2010. The memo says he also filed a false 2008 tax return.
Mellow served four decades in the Senate and was one of the chamber's most powerful members when he announced his retirement two years ago.
Watch for further updates.
