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{{short description|American politician}}
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{{Infobox officeholder
{{unbalanced|date=January 2008}}
| name = Frank LaGrotta
{{expand}}
| image = Frank LaGrotta photo-edit 1.jpg
'''Frank LaGrotta''' is an ] politician from ], ]. A ], he served ten terms as the ] from the ], from 1987 to 2006; he ran for re-election for an eleventh term, but was defeated in the ] for the ].<ref name=family>"All in the Family," '']'', ], p. A6.</ref>
| imagesize = 175px
| caption =
| state_house = Pennsylvania
| district = ]
| term_start = January 6, 1987<ref>{{cite web |title = SESSION OF 1987 - 171ST OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - No. 1|work = Legislative Journal| publisher = Pennsylvania House of Representatives |date = 1987-01-06|url = http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/HJ/1987/0/19870106.pdf}}</ref>
| term_end = November 30, 2006<ref>Per Article II, Section 2 of the ], the legislative session ended on November 30, 2006.</ref>
| predecessor = ]
| successor = ]
| party = ]
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1958|11|25|mf=y}}
| birth_place = ], U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| education = ] (], ])<br>]
| profession = ]
| spouse =
| residence = ], U.S.
| website =
}}

'''Frank LaGrotta''' (November 25, 1958) is a former ] member of the ] from the ] from 1987 to 2006.


==Personal life== ==Personal life==
LaGrotta was born in ].<ref name=votesmart> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060213010157/http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=BS028248 |date=February 13, 2006 }} at ]</ref> He is an alumnus of ].<ref name=family>
An alumnus of the ], LaGrotta was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1986, when he defeated ], who today is a ]. After losing the 2006 race, LaGrotta was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the ] Housing Authority. He resigned this position in October of 2007.<ref name=family />
{{cite news
| last = Walter
| first = Kori
| title = All in the Family
| publisher = Beaver County Times
| date = 2007-11-14
| url = http://timesonline.com/articles/2007/11/15/news/top_stories/doc473bb47eeb1b2384764719.prt
}}</ref> He graduated from the ], having received a ] in 1980 and a ] in 1981.<ref name=votesmart /> He is the grandson of immigrants.<ref name=Casey>
{{cite news
| last = Roddy
| first = Dennis
| title = LaGrotta rose fast as Casey Democrat
| publisher = Pittsburgh Post Gazette
| date = 2007-11-15
| url = http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07319/834109-85.stm
}}</ref>


After graduation, LaGrotta worked as a sports ] with ] from 1981 to 1983. LaGrotta returned home to work as office manager for ], who was then the representative for the 10th district.<ref name=Casey /> He also served as Legislative Director of the ] Legislative Delegation from 1983 to 1986.<ref name=votesmart />
==Indictment and politics==
On ], ], LaGrotta was arraigned in ] on two corruption-related felony charges, following the Attorney General's investigation into the ]. According to ] ] ], LaGrotta allegedly used his position to have his sister and niece paid over $26,000 from state funds.<ref>Barnes, Tom. , '']'', ]. Accessed ].</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/103-11142007-1441033.html |title=Ex-lawmaker faces charges as corruption probes roil Pa. House (phillyBurbs.com) | Pennsylvania News |accessdate=2008-01-08 |format= |work=}}</ref>


==Political career==
The Philadelphia Daily News has described both the larger investigation and specific charges against LaGrotta as "politically motivated", and accused Corbett of "using the attorney general's office to help the GOP", stating that "He's investigating House Democrats because Republicans are frustrated...Corbett's investigation is seemingly designed to weaken Democrats as the legislature gets back into session."<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=The too-political Tom Corbett | date= | publisher= | url =http://www.philly.com/dailynews/opinion/20070921_The_too-political_Tom_Corbett.html | work =Philly.com | pages = | accessdate = 2008-01-09 | language = }}</ref>
Upon Pratt's election as a judge, LaGrotta ran for his boss's seat. In 1986 he defeated ] ], who later became a ] for ].<ref name=Casey /> LaGrotta was considered a ] because of his ] stance and his strong ties to ].<ref name=Casey />


He won re-election nine times, largely with token Republican opposition. He faced one serious challenge in the GOP landslide year of 1994 winning with only 53% of the vote. After the 1994 scare, LaGrotta ran unopposed in four of his last five races.<ref>{{cite news
Other critics of the investigation have noted the "apparent reluctance of Attorney General Tom Corbett to go after Republicans giving and getting bonuses after doing campaign work with the same zeal as Democrats..."<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=How do we insure prosecutorial fairness| date= | publisher= | url =http://www.phillyblog.com/philly/general-discussion/43032-concept-prosecutorial-fairness-valid-one-how-do-we-insure.html | work =Philly.com | pages = | accessdate = 2008-01-09 | language = }}</ref>
| title = Frank LaGrotta Candidate Detail
| publisher = OurCampaigns.com
| url = http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=34950
| accessdate = 2008-01-09 }}</ref>

In 1992, LaGrotta ran for the ] in ] against incumbent Democrat ] who was implicated in the ]. He finished fourth in a four-way primary that also included ], the victor, and fellow state Representative ].<ref>{{cite news
| title =1992 General Primary
| work = Sourced from 1994 Almanac of American Politics
| publisher = OurCampaigns.com
| url = http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=210023
| accessdate = 2008-01-09 }}</ref>

During his tenure, LaGrotta established himself as a strong advocate for his district, securing funds for 11 bridges in Ellwood City, leading opposition to a hazardous waste facility in his district, and lobbying for public works projects.<ref name=Casey />

===2006 primary election===
LaGrotta ran for re-election for an eleventh term, but was defeated in the ] for the ] by political newcomer ]. The margin of defeat was 28 votes.<ref>{{cite news
| title =2006 General Primary
| publisher = Pennsylvania Department of State
| date = 2006-05-16
| url = http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=15&ElectionID=20&OfficeID=13&DistrictID=81
}}</ref><ref name=Out>{{cite news
| title =State House races: Pistella, LaGrotta, Stevenson out; Veon wins
| publisher = Pittsburgh Post Gazette
| date = 2006-05-17
| url = http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06137/690792-179.stm
}}</ref>

The election focused on LaGrotta's support for the controversial ].<ref name=Lessons>{{cite news
| title = Lessons unlearned
| publisher = Bucks County Courier Times
| date = 2007-11-18
| url = http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/321-11182007-1442955.html
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20071019053352/http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/321-11182007-1442955.html
| archive-date = 2007-10-19
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

Following the election, LaGrotta was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the ] Housing Authority in December 2006. He resigned this position in October 2007.<ref name=family />

==Conflict of interest legal proceedings==
{{main|2006 Pennsylvania General Assembly bonus controversy}}

On November 14, 2007, LaGrotta was arraigned in ], on two corruption-related felony charges, following the Attorney General's investigation into the ]. According to State ] ], LaGrotta allegedly used his position to have his sister and niece paid over $26,000 from state funds.<ref>Barnes, Tom. , '']'', 2007-11-16. Accessed 2007-11-27.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/103-11142007-1441033.html |title=Ex-lawmaker faces charges as corruption probes roil Pa. House (phillyBurbs.com) |work=Pennsylvania News |accessdate=2008-01-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203225217/http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/103-11142007-1441033.html |archive-date=2008-02-03 }}</ref> On December 20, he pleaded not guilty to the charges.<ref>{{cite news | title=Bonus storm distracts state Democrats| date=2007-12-23 | publisher=pennlive.com | url =http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2007/12/bonus_storm_consumes_state_dem.html | accessdate = 2008-01-10 }}</ref> On February 3, 2008, LaGrotta pleaded guilty to two felony<ref>, ] via the '']'', 2008-02-05. Accessed 2008-02-20.</ref> counts of ] for having ghost workers on his payroll. He was sentenced to six months of house arrest, along with probation and fines.<ref></ref><ref></ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08035/854668-100.stm | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | title=Ex-Rep. LaGrotta pleads guilty in ghost employee case | first=Tracie | last=Mauriello | date=2008-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_550733.html |title=LaGrotta pleads guilty |work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review }}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{dead link|fix-attempted=yes</ref> He will continue to receive his full pension of $48,000 per year, since conflict of interest convictions do not fall under the ]'s list of 23 crimes that require pension forfeiture.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08058/860900-100.stm | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | title=Despite guilty plea, ex-Rep. LaGrotta to get full pension | first=Tracie | last=Mauriello | date=2008-02-27}}</ref> After his guilty plea, he stopped repaying the unvouchered expenses from the ] and was refunded the amount that he had previously returned.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08060/861390-85.stm | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | title=After returning raise, LaGrotta took it back | first1=Tracie | last1=Mauriello | first2=Dennis B. | last2=Roddy | date=2008-02-29}}</ref>

== Prescription altering guilty plea==
On April 7, 2011, LaGrotta pleaded guilty to altering prescriptions he had submitted to three different pharmacies, in two Pennsylvania counties, to obtain more of the anti-anxiety medication ].<ref name=Convicted> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411064129/http://postgazette.com/pg/11098/1137928-100.stm |date=2011-04-11 }}, ] report published in the ], 8 April 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2011.</ref> His plea included admissions of guilt in fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and ] (for changing the date of prescriptions from March to May 2010, changing daily dosing instructions from two to three per day, and changing the number of pills prescribed from 120 to 180.)<ref name=Convicted /> His sentencing (which could include incarceration) was ] for June 7, 2011.<ref name=Convicted />

==Post-legislative career==
In spite of his legal troubles, LaGrotta received $30,000 per year in his legislative pension.<ref name=micek>{{cite news | last = Micek| first = John| author-link = John L. Micek| title = A Chat With Frank LaGrotta.| newspaper = ]| date =August 3, 2009| url = http://blogs.mcall.com/capitol_ideas/2009/08/a-chat-with-frank-lagrotta.html}}</ref> He is writing a book about his experiences and has launched a blog ''Politics As (Not) Usual,'' where he gives his unique perspective on political issues.<ref name=micek /> The book, which cannot be published until his probation ends, is tentatively titled ''Be Careful, I'm Wired.''<ref>{{cite news | last = Mel | first = MaryAlice | title = Sharing Thoughts: Frank LaGrotta joins bloggers with focus on politics| newspaper = ]| publisher = ]| date = July 31, 2009 | url = http://www.ncnewsonline.com/today/local_story_212095442.html}}</ref> He is also teaching a class on politics and government at ] in ].<ref name=micek /> In an interview with journalist ] of ''],'' LaGrotta said that following his house arrest, he was returning to ] and contemplating his legislative career.<ref name=micek />


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist}}

==External links==
*
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060929005311/http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/house_bio.cfm?districtnumber=10 |date=September 29, 2006 |title=Pennsylvania House of Representatives - Frank LaGrotta }} Official PA House website

{{s-start}}
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{{succession box|title= Member of the ] for the ]|before=]|after=]|years=1987 &ndash; 2006}}
{{s-end}}

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Latest revision as of 10:08, 7 December 2024

American politician
Frank LaGrotta
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 10th district
In office
January 6, 1987 – November 30, 2006
Preceded byRalph Pratt
Succeeded byJaret Gibbons
Personal details
Born (1958-11-25) November 25, 1958 (age 66)
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Residence(s)Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Notre Dame (BA, MA)
University of Pittsburgh
ProfessionJournalist

Frank LaGrotta (November 25, 1958) is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 10th District from 1987 to 2006.

Personal life

LaGrotta was born in Ellwood City. He is an alumnus of Riverside High School. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame, having received a Bachelor of Arts in 1980 and a Master of Arts in 1981. He is the grandson of immigrants.

After graduation, LaGrotta worked as a sports journalist with Gannett News Service from 1981 to 1983. LaGrotta returned home to work as office manager for Ralph Pratt, who was then the representative for the 10th district. He also served as Legislative Director of the Beaver County Legislative Delegation from 1983 to 1986.

Political career

Upon Pratt's election as a judge, LaGrotta ran for his boss's seat. In 1986 he defeated Republican Jim Gerlach, who later became a U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district. LaGrotta was considered a Casey Democrat because of his pro-life stance and his strong ties to organized labor.

He won re-election nine times, largely with token Republican opposition. He faced one serious challenge in the GOP landslide year of 1994 winning with only 53% of the vote. After the 1994 scare, LaGrotta ran unopposed in four of his last five races.

In 1992, LaGrotta ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district against incumbent Democrat Joseph P. Kolter who was implicated in the Congressional Post Office scandal. He finished fourth in a four-way primary that also included Ron Klink, the victor, and fellow state Representative Mike Veon.

During his tenure, LaGrotta established himself as a strong advocate for his district, securing funds for 11 bridges in Ellwood City, leading opposition to a hazardous waste facility in his district, and lobbying for public works projects.

2006 primary election

LaGrotta ran for re-election for an eleventh term, but was defeated in the primary for the 2006 election by political newcomer Jaret Gibbons. The margin of defeat was 28 votes.

The election focused on LaGrotta's support for the controversial 2005 legislative pay raise.

Following the election, LaGrotta was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Lawrence County Housing Authority in December 2006. He resigned this position in October 2007.

Conflict of interest legal proceedings

Main article: 2006 Pennsylvania General Assembly bonus controversy

On November 14, 2007, LaGrotta was arraigned in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on two corruption-related felony charges, following the Attorney General's investigation into the 2006 bonus controversy. According to State Attorney General Tom Corbett, LaGrotta allegedly used his position to have his sister and niece paid over $26,000 from state funds. On December 20, he pleaded not guilty to the charges. On February 3, 2008, LaGrotta pleaded guilty to two felony counts of conflict of interest for having ghost workers on his payroll. He was sentenced to six months of house arrest, along with probation and fines. He will continue to receive his full pension of $48,000 per year, since conflict of interest convictions do not fall under the Pennsylvania State Employees' Retirement System's list of 23 crimes that require pension forfeiture. After his guilty plea, he stopped repaying the unvouchered expenses from the 2005 legislative payraise and was refunded the amount that he had previously returned.

Prescription altering guilty plea

On April 7, 2011, LaGrotta pleaded guilty to altering prescriptions he had submitted to three different pharmacies, in two Pennsylvania counties, to obtain more of the anti-anxiety medication Xanax. His plea included admissions of guilt in fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and forgery (for changing the date of prescriptions from March to May 2010, changing daily dosing instructions from two to three per day, and changing the number of pills prescribed from 120 to 180.) His sentencing (which could include incarceration) was docketed for June 7, 2011.

Post-legislative career

In spite of his legal troubles, LaGrotta received $30,000 per year in his legislative pension. He is writing a book about his experiences and has launched a blog Politics As (Not) Usual, where he gives his unique perspective on political issues. The book, which cannot be published until his probation ends, is tentatively titled Be Careful, I'm Wired. He is also teaching a class on politics and government at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. In an interview with journalist John Micek of The Morning Call, LaGrotta said that following his house arrest, he was returning to Catholicism and contemplating his legislative career.

References

  1. "SESSION OF 1987 - 171ST OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - No. 1" (PDF). Legislative Journal. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. 1987-01-06.
  2. Per Article II, Section 2 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, the legislative session ended on November 30, 2006.
  3. ^ Biography Archived February 13, 2006, at the Wayback Machine at Project Vote Smart
  4. ^ Walter, Kori (2007-11-14). "All in the Family". Beaver County Times.
  5. ^ Roddy, Dennis (2007-11-15). "LaGrotta rose fast as Casey Democrat". Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
  6. "Frank LaGrotta Candidate Detail". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved 2008-01-09.
  7. "1992 General Primary". Sourced from 1994 Almanac of American Politics. OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved 2008-01-09.
  8. "2006 General Primary". Pennsylvania Department of State. 2006-05-16.
  9. "State House races: Pistella, LaGrotta, Stevenson out; Veon wins". Pittsburgh Post Gazette. 2006-05-17.
  10. "Lessons unlearned". Bucks County Courier Times. 2007-11-18. Archived from the original on 2007-10-19.
  11. Barnes, Tom. LaGrotta knew nothing about hefty bonuses, lawyer says, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2007-11-16. Accessed 2007-11-27.
  12. "Ex-lawmaker faces charges as corruption probes roil Pa. House (phillyBurbs.com)". Pennsylvania News. Archived from the original on 2008-02-03. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
  13. "Bonus storm distracts state Democrats". pennlive.com. 2007-12-23. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
  14. Ex-official pleads guilty in job scam, Associated Press via the Boston Globe, 2008-02-05. Accessed 2008-02-20.
  15. Ex-legislator sentenced for no-show workers - Midstate PA Local News, Weather, Sports & Entertainment - PennLive.com
  16. A former state rep. pleads guilty over no show jobs. | Philadelphia Inquirer | 02/04/2008
  17. Mauriello, Tracie (2008-02-04). "Ex-Rep. LaGrotta pleads guilty in ghost employee case". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  18. "LaGrotta pleads guilty". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.{{dead link|fix-attempted=yes
  19. Mauriello, Tracie (2008-02-27). "Despite guilty plea, ex-Rep. LaGrotta to get full pension". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  20. Mauriello, Tracie; Roddy, Dennis B. (2008-02-29). "After returning raise, LaGrotta took it back". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  21. ^ Former Rep. LaGrotta admits altering prescriptions Archived 2011-04-11 at the Wayback Machine, AP report published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 8 April 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
  22. ^ Micek, John (August 3, 2009). "A Chat With Frank LaGrotta". The Morning Call.
  23. Mel, MaryAlice (July 31, 2009). "Sharing Thoughts: Frank LaGrotta joins bloggers with focus on politics". New Castle News. Community Newspaper Holdings.

External links

Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Preceded byRalph D. Pratt Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 10th District
1987 – 2006 		Succeeded byJaret Gibbons
Categories: