Former House Speaker Bill DeWeese has been convicted on five counts of corruption charges.

The longtime House Democrat is the first sitting legislator to be convicted since 2004, and the second House Speaker to plead or be found guilty of a crime within six months.

DeWeese had been charged with six counts of theft, conspiracy, and conflict of interest. The state charged that DeWeese had allowed – and even pressured – legislative staff to do campaign work on state-paid time and with state-paid resources.

Despite the conviction, DeWeese is pledging to stay in the House. "I am still a member of this state Legislature," said DeWeese, who said his nominating petitions are still circulating.  "I will certainly continue to run for re-nomination and for re-election."  In fact, DeWeese plans on attending tomorrow's budget address. 

“Absolutely.  I’m still a member of the General Assembly,” he said.  “In fact, I’ve asked [House Minority Leader Frank] Dermody to appoint me to the committee to escort the governor.”

Convicted felons are barred from serving in the General Assembly, but DeWeese’s conviction will not become official until he’s sentenced in April.

“If he wants to spit in the face of the jury’s verdict, I guess that’s his prerogative,” said Senior Deputy Attorney General Ken Brown.

DeWeese is free to continue voting until then. Other legislators can attempt an expulsion vote, but Speaker Sam Smith’s chief-of-staff, Tony Aliano, said Republican leaders “wouldn’t encourage it.”

If DeWeese does not resign after sentencing, Aliano said the House parliamentarian will introduce an expulsion resolution at that time.

An expulsion vote requires a two-thirds majority.

Scott Detrow contributed to this report.