HARRISBURG -- Steve Keefer is an ordinary man, not a hero.

That's the point defense attorney Bill Fetterhoff made this morning as closing arguments began in the government corruption case known as Bonusgate.

Mr. Keefer, a former state House aide, did nothing to stop the illegal use of taxpayer resources for campaign work "but because he is not a hero does not mean he is a criminal," Mr. Fetterhoff told eight women and four men on the Dauphin County jury.

His client is on trial along with former state Rep. Mike Veon and former legislative aides Brett Cott and Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink. All are charged with being part of a scheme to use $1.4 million in taxpayer money to pay bonuses to state employees who did extra work on Democratic campaigns, often during state working hours.

Other defense attorneys will get a chance to make closing arguments later today.

"This is one of the most significant cases to occur in Dauphin County in many years," Mr. Fetterhoff said. "It is also the longest criminal trial that has occurred in Dauphin County" in many years.

The trial is in its sixth week.

Prosecutors are expected to make their closing arguments tomorrow. Then the case will be in jurors' hands.

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