State bonus probe widens to Senate's GOP caucus

The Bonus-Gate investigation extends to the Senate GOP, the Patriot News reports.

Former staffer-turned-lobbyist Mike Long was one recipient whe defended the bonus process:

Long, a former aide to then-Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer, R-Blair County, received a $22,500 bonus in 2006 despite taking several weeks off to work on his boss's unsuccessful re-election bid.

Crompton received $19,647 despite working exclusively for Republican gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann from July through October, and Arneson was paid $15,000 though he was on campaign leave for parts of 10 weeks for then-Senate Majority Leader David "Chip" Brightbill, R-Lebanon. ...

"We had 16 people who got caucus bonuses that year and only three of them worked on campaigns," Long said in December. He said those who took time off for campaign work were paid for that work by the campaigns.

"We tried to do it right," he said.

I'm sure taxpayers can be relieved that nothing shady took place, if Mike Long says so.