Lawmaker accused of charges connected to gambling in Pennsylvania

According to state prosecutors, Rep. Marc Gergely was charged with three felonies and three misdemeanors.

US.-  Rep. Marc Gergely was accused by state prosecutors yesterday (Tuesday) of trying to help “an acquaintance” expand an illegal video gambling business into restaurants and other locations.

Gergely faces charges for three felonies, including dealing in the proceeds of illegal activity and two counts of corrupt organizations and three misdemeanors. He also lost a committee leadership. In addition and according to House officials, the 46-year-old lawmaker is losing his post as the ranking Democrat on the House Labor and Industry Committee.

Rep. Marc Gergely joined the House in 2003. His acquaintance, Ronald “Porky” Melocchi, was sentenced last year to 10 years’ probation. Melocchi’s operation amounted to more than US$1 million and some 335 machines at 70 locations outside Pittsburgh where authorities conducted a raid in 2013.

Gergely has not released any comments yet and online court records don’t show a lawyer who could comment on his behalf.