Frank LaGrotta

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Frank LaGrotta
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 10th district
In office
1987 – 2006
Preceded by Ralph Pratt
Succeeded by Jaret Gibbons
Born November 26, 1958 (1958-11-26) (age 49)
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
Political party Democratic
Spouse single
Residence Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
Alma mater Notre Dame University, University of Pittsburgh
Profession Journalist
Religion Roman Catholic

Frank LaGrotta (November 25, 1958-) is an American politician from Ellwood City, Pennsylvania. A Democrat, he served ten terms as the state representative from the 10th District, from 1987 to 2006.

Contents

[edit] Personal life

LaGrotta was born November 25, 1958 in Ellwood City.[1] He is an alumnus of Riverside High School.[2] He graduated from the University of Notre Dame, having received a Bachelor of Arts in 1980 and a Master of Arts in 1981.[1] He is the grandson of immigrants.[3]

After graduation, LaGrotta worked as a sports journalist with Gannett News Service from 1981-1983. LaGrotta returned home to work as office manager for Ralph Pratt, who was then the representative for the 10th district.[3] He also served as Legislative Director of the Beaver County Legislative Delegation from 1983-1986.[1]

[edit] Political career

Upon Pratt's election as a judge, LaGrotta ran for his boss's seat. In 1986 he defeated Republican Jim Gerlach, who is currently a U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district.[3] LaGrotta was considered a Casey Democrat because of his pro-life stance and his strong ties to organized labor.[3]

He won re-election nine times, largely with token Republican opposition. He faced one serious challenge in the GOP landslide year of 1994 winning with only 53% of the vote. After the 1994 scare, LaGrotta ran unopposed in four of his last five races. [4]

LaGrotta made one run at higher office, in 1992. He finished fourth in a four-way primary for Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district with Ron Klink ultimately defeating Rep. Joe Kolter. [5]

During his tenure, LaGrotta established himself as a strong advocate for his district, securing funds for 11 bridges in Ellwood City, leading opposition to a hazardous waste facility in his district, and lobbying for public works projects.[3]

[edit] 2006 primary election

LaGrotta ran for re-election for an eleventh term, but was defeated in the primary for the 2006 election by political newcomer Jaret Gibbons. The margin of defeat was 28 votes. [6] [7]

The election focused on LaGrotta's support for the controversial 2005 legislative pay raise.[8]

Following the election, LaGrotta was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Lawrence County Housing Authority in December 2006. He resigned this position in October 2007.[2]

[edit] Conflict of interest legal proceedings

Main article: 2006 Pennsylvania General Assembly bonus controversy
Frank LaGrotta
Born November 25, 1958 (1958-11-25) (age 49)
Flag of the United States Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Penalty 6 months house arrest, probation, and fines
Status house arrest
Occupation Pennsylvania State Representative

On November 14, 2007, LaGrotta was arraigned in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on two corruption-related felony charges, following the Attorney General's investigation into the 2006 bonus controversy. According to Republican Party Attorney General Tom Corbett, LaGrotta allegedly used his position to have his sister and niece paid over $26,000 from state funds.[9][10] On December 20, he pleaded not guilty to the charges.[11] On February 3, 2008 LaGrotta pleaded guilty to two felony[12] counts of conflict of interest for having ghost workers on his payroll. He was sentenced to six months of house arrest, along with probation and fines.[13] [14] [15] [16] He will continue to receive his full pension of $48,000 per year, since conflict of interest convictions do not fall under the State Employees' Retirement System's list of 23 crimes that require pension forfeiture. [17] After his guilty plea, he stopped repaying the unvouchered expenses from the 2005 legislative payraise and was refunded the amount that he had previously returned. [18]

In January 2008, Philadelphia Daily News contributor Ben Waxman described both the larger investigation and specific charges against LaGrotta as "politically motivated", and accused Corbett of "using the attorney general's office to help the GOP", stating that "He's investigating House Democrats because Republicans are frustrated...Corbett's investigation is seemingly designed to weaken Democrats as the legislature gets back into session."[19]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Biography at Project Vote Smart
  2. ^ a b Walter, Kori. "All in the Family", Beaver County Times, 2007-11-14. 
  3. ^ a b c d e Roddy, Dennis. "LaGrotta rose fast as Casey Democrat", Pittsburgh Post Gazette, 2007-11-15. 
  4. ^ "Frank LaGrotta Candidate Detail", OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-09. 
  5. ^ "1992 General Primary", Sourced from 1994 Almanac of American Politics, OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-09. 
  6. ^ "2006 General Primary", Pennsylvania Department of State, 2006-05-16. 
  7. ^ "State House races: Pistella, LaGrotta, Stevenson out; Veon wins", Pittsburgh Post Gazette, 2006-05-17. 
  8. ^ "Lessons unlearned", Bucks County Courier Times, 2007-11-18. 
  9. ^ Barnes, Tom. LaGrotta knew nothing about hefty bonuses, lawyer says, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2007-11-16. Accessed 2007-11-27.
  10. ^ Ex-lawmaker faces charges as corruption probes roil Pa. House (phillyBurbs.com). Retrieved on 2008-01-08.
  11. ^ "Bonus storm distracts state Democrats", pennlive.com, December 23, 2007. Retrieved on 2008-01-10. 
  12. ^ Ex-official pleads guilty in job scam, Associated Press via the Boston Globe, 2008-02-05. Accessed 2008-02-20.
  13. ^ Ex-legislator sentenced for no-show workers - Midstate PA Local News, Weather, Sports & Entertainment - PennLive.com
  14. ^ A former state rep. pleads guilty over no show jobs. | Philadelphia Inquirer | 02/04/2008
  15. ^ Ex-Rep. LaGrotta pleads guilty in ghost employee case
  16. ^ LaGrotta pleads guilty - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
  17. ^ Despite guilty plea, ex-Rep. LaGrotta to get full pension
  18. ^ After returning raise, LaGrotta took it back
  19. ^ "The too-political Tom Corbett", Philly.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-09.