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Top politicians may testify in sheriff's captain trial
Frank P. Schiralli
Richard A. Stewart Jr.
David Conti can be reached via e-mail or at 412-320-7981.
Sheriff Pete DeFazio, District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. and former county Chief Executive Jim Roddey could all testify in the perjury trial of suspended sheriff's Capt. Frank P. Schiralli.
Of the 93 possible witnesses, 44 are sheriff's deputies and at least 16 are attorneys.
Schiralli, 53, of McKees Rocks, is charged with two counts of lying to the grand jury on Jan. 26. Jury selection began Monday, and opening arguments are expected today before U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.
Prosecutors say Schiralli and suspended Lt. Cmdr. Richard A. Stewart Jr. lied when they testified they never pressured employees under their command to purchase tickets for campaign fundraisers. Stewart, 57, of Penn Hills, is awaiting a separate trial.
DeFazio suspended both men with pay after they were indicted on the perjury charges in May. They pleaded innocent and remain free on bond.
Investigators are using the grand jury to determine whether the sheriff's staff took campaign finance contributions and failed to report them as income to the Internal Revenue Service. They also are investigating whether DeFazio or his commanders rewarded staff members for making political contributions or punished them for failing to do so.
Schiralli's defense attorney, Robert E. Stewart, said his client has not been working since he was indicted.
"He's been just waiting for this trial," said Stewart, who is not related to Richard Stewart.
Schiralli faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on both counts.
DeFazio is not the only powerful Democrat whose office has been targeted by a grand jury and U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan. Employees of Coroner Cyril H. Wecht began testifying in June as part of an investigation into whether the renowned forensic pathologist has mixed his public office and private business.
Investigators are also looking into allegations that Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy promised a sweetheart contract to city firefighters in exchange for union support on the eve of the 2001 mayoral primary.
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