Why do you think Budd Dwyer commited suicide?”
I think the reason why he committed suicide was he knew that there had been a plea deal made already and there were going to be a few people, whom he trusted, testifying against him in his trial for taking a bribe. Here is some more information for you: During the early 1980s, state employees overpaid millions of dollars in Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes. As a result, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania began accepting bids from companies to calculate the amount of the refund each employee was due. One firm, the California-based Computer Technology Associates, was owned by a Harrisburg native named John Torquato, Jr., who used his area connections and a series of bribes to obtain the contract, worth a reputed $4.6 million. An anonymous memo reached the office of Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh informing him of what had happened. In late 1986, Budd Dwyer was charged with agreeing to receive a kickback of $300,000. A plea bargain was made for Torquato, Dauphin County
In late 1986, Budd Dwyer was charged with agreeing to receive a kickback of $300,000. A plea bargain was made for Torquato, Dauphin County Republican Party Chairman William Smith (Torquato’s attorney), and Smith’s wife. The plea bargain required them to testify against Dwyer. This, coupled with the government’s refusal to name unindicted co-conspirators in the case, made it difficult for Dwyer to defend himself. The unindicted co-conspirators are believed to have been staff members of the Dauphin County Republican Party. During this time, the district’s United States Attorney offered Dwyer a plea bargain that carried a maximum of five years in prison in exchange for a guilty plea on one count of accepting a bribe, resignation, and cooperation in the investigation. Dwyer refused the offer, and was later found guilty but continued to profess his innocence vehemently, as did others who were close to him. Under state law, Dwyer could continue to serve as state treasurer until his sentencin
Public suicide On January 22, 1987, the day before his sentencing, Dwyer called a press conference to “provide an update on the situation”. Many expected Dwyer to announce his resignation from office. At the conference, an agitated and nervous Dwyer once again professed his innocence, and declared that he would not resign as state treasurer. Those attending would hear his final words: I thank the good Lord for giving me 49 years of invigorating challenges, stimulating experiences, many happy occasions, and, most of all, the finest wife and child any man could ever desire. Now my life has changed, for no apparent reason. People who call and write are exasperated and feel helpless. They know I’m innocent and want to help. But in this nation, the world’s greatest democracy, there is nothing they can do to prevent me from being punished for a crime they know I did not commit. Some who have called have said that I am a modern day Job. Judge [Malcolm] Muir is also noted for his medieval sent
