Alyssa Biederman

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Stories by Alyssa Biederman

Campaign Finance

A top aide to Senate leader Joe Scarnati, Shelly Brown, charged thousands of dollars worth drinks and meals — including a visit to Mangia Qui in downtown Harrisburg — to Scarnati's campaign credit card, despite having no official role with the campaign.

She’s paid by taxpayers. So why is top Pa. Senate aide wining and dining on a campaign credit card?

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Alyssa Biederman of The Inquirer

Oct. 24, 2019

Campaign Finance

The most powerful lawmaker in the Pa. Senate, Joe Scarnati, dined at the St. Peter Stiftskulinarium restaurant in Austria in September 2016 and charged $246 to his campaign account. State law requires campaign money to be used for “influencing the outcome of an election,” but what qualifies is largely open to interpretation.

Lavish dinners, sports tickets, and nearly $3.5 million in other expenses by Pa. lawmakers you’ve never seen

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Mike Wereschagin, Brad Bumsted, Paula Knudsen, Sam Janesch and Alyssa Biederman of The Caucus

Oct. 22, 2019

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