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Raphael Musto
Raphael Musto was a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1983-2010. Musto was re-elected in November of 2006 with his term expiring in 2010. Before becoming a Senator, Musto served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Musto won a special election in 1971 and served in the Pennsylvania House until 1980. Later that year, Musto won a special election for the US House of Representatives in Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District and served in Congress until 1981.
Musto graduated with his Bachelor's degree in accounting from King's College in 1971. Before becoming an elected official, Musto was a small business owner and served in the US Army from 1952 to 1954.
On January 27, 2010, Musto announced he would be retiring from public office. His term will end on November 30, 2010.[1]
Indicted
FBI searches home
On April 8, 2010, the FBI searched Musto's home. While Musto hasn't been accused of any wrongdoing, most believe the search is related to a federal public corruption investigation. Musto had no explanation for the search, stating, “The very fact that they were here today – there are many questions. I have as many questions as anyone else. There was no reason to check my house.”[2]
Federal charge
On his way to retirement, state Sen. Musto was charged by a federal grand jury with taking bribes and financial kickbacks.
Musto is charged with one count of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, two counts of bribery and two counts of making false statements to FBI agents. he is charged with taking $25,000 bribe and other gifts from a construction company which performed work on his property.
According to federal prosecutors, Musto later used his political position to "advocate for and attempt to advance various projects beneficial" to the unnamed company, including letters Musto wrote to state agencies encouraging them to award state grants to the company.
Musto accepted thousands of dollars in cash from an unnamed individual affiliated with several municipal authorities. He accepted the cash payment as a reward for helping the authorities obtain loans and grants from the state Department of Environmental Protection.[3]
Committee assignments
While a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, Musto served on the following committees:
- Appropriations
- Community, Economic and Recreational Development
- Education
- Local Government Ranking Democratic Member[4].
Elections
2010
Musto did not run for re-election in District 14.
2006
On November 7, 2006, Musto was re-elected to Pennsylvania State Senate District 14.[5]
Musto raised $199,965 for this campaign[6] in which he ran unopposed.
| Pennsylvania State Senate District 14 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
 MUSTO, RAPHAEL J. (D)
|
53,087 | |||
Campaign finance summary
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District 14
Musto represents Pennsylvania Senate District 14. District 14 includes part of the Scranton-Wilkes Barre region[7].
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Raphael is married to Francis Muston. They have four children and resides in Pittston, Pennsylvania.
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Times Leader, "Musto to retire from Senate," January 27, 2010
- ↑ Standard Speaker, "FBI search state senator's home," April 8, 2010
- ↑ "State Sen. Raphael Musto Indicted By Federal Grand Jury," Pennsylvania Independent, November 23, 2010
- ↑ "Pennsylvania Senate" List of Standing Committee Assignments
- ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State, "2006 General Election," accessed March 11, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Report on 2006 campaign contributions," accessed December 30, 2014
- ↑ "Pennsylvania Senate" Map of Philadelphia Suburban Senate Districts
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by ' |
Pennsylvania State Senate District 14 1983–2010 |
Succeeded by John Yudichak (D) |
