Rep. Gergely submits resignation in advance of sentencing
HARRISBURG — State Rep. MarcGergely will resign from his House seat next week while he awaits sentencing in connection withan illegal gambling ring.
Last week, he cast his final vote: to expand gambling.
The Democrat’s resignation — effective Monday — was widely expected in the Capitol. A prosecutor had said in August that it was a condition of his plea to charges of conspiracy and violating the state’s election law on cash contributions.
Mr. Gergely, 48, of White Oak, also was scheduled to
appear in court Monday for his sentencing. That has been postponed, and a new date will be set Monday.
He could not be reached, and his attorney did not respond to a request for comment.
Mr. Gergely worked with liquor attorney Louis Caputo to help Ronald “Porky” Melocchi, who controlled hundreds of video gaming machines throughout the Mon Valley.
“While other vendors could at times offer more lucrative terms in an effort to secure new ‘stops,’ Melocchi would rely upon the character and business traits that he possessed as well as his connections to compete with these other vendors,” the grand jury wrote.
The report later continued, “Whereas Melocchi might not be able or willing to offer large amounts of money to the owners/operators of prospective ‘stops,’ he could introduce them to Gergely and Caputo as a show of strength in terms of the people with whom he had a connection.”
The grand jury also alleged that Mr. Gergely “used his position as a state representative to protect Melocchi” and that Mr. Gergely inappropriately passed along a donation from Melocchi to another person, violating rules on anonymous or third-party contributions.
Caputo, 40, pleaded guilty in August to criminal solicitation and was sentenced to five years of probation. Melocchi, now 58, pleaded guilty in 2015 to charges involving corrupt organizations and gambling devices and was sentenced to 10 years of probation.
Mr. Gergely cast his last vote Oct. 26, on a gambling expansion bill that was part of a series of bills meant to balance the budget and end a four-month impasse. That bill, among other things, allows for the legal placement of video gaming terminals at truck stops in the state. Mr. Gergely wasn’t the deciding vote. That bill passed 109-72 and has since been signed by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.
A special election will be held to replace Mr. Gergely. House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-Marshall, has until Nov. 16 to set a date for that election, which will occur some time next year.
Austin Davis, a top aide to Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, has expressed interest in the seat.