DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has reinstated the former chief public defender of Dauphin County, who had been suspended since 2021 after misappropriating taxpayer money to support a political campaign.
According to a court ruling, Bradley Winnick was charged in 2019 after offering double pay for each hour that employees handed out campaign literature promoting a candidate during the 2017 primary and general elections.
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After reviewing Dauphin County records, investigators determined Winnick granted over $26K worth of comp time to his employees during the two elections.
In August of that same year, Winnick was informed his actions were under investigation by the attorney general’s office. He told officials he knew it was the wrong thing to do but “did not stop and think.”
The Dauphin County Commissioners had the following to say after charges were filed against Warrick.
The charges filed today against Mr. Winnick are very serious and disappointing. Effective immediately, he is suspended without pay pending the outcome of the investigation.
After pleading guilty to the charges on March 5, 2020, Winnick notified the disciplinary counsel of his conviction and his desire to enter a temporary suspension of his license.
While seeking reinstatement, Winnick told the court he acted arrogantly, and he waited years to apply for reinstatement because he “made a terrible mistake” and felt the situation deserved more introspection.
Dauphin County District Attorney Francis Chardo testified that Winnick “has a superb knowledge of the law and exhibits that.” In the ruling, it was noted that Chardo had discussed the possibility of having Winnick work in his office if reinstated.
Chardo thought it was “a great idea,” according to court documents.
On June 23, his petition for reinstatement passed the Supreme Court.
CBS 21 has reached out to Chardo and the Dauphin County Commissioners for their thoughts on Winnick’s reinstatement.