The since-retired chief of a western Pennsylvania township was scheduled to plead guilty Thursday to violating federal election laws by soliciting absentee ballots that benefited his wife.
Richard Toney retired last year, but in 2009 was still officer-in-charge in Harmar Township, a suburb about 10 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
That's when federal prosecutors say he solicited absentee ballots for his wife, Kim Toney, and her running mate in that year's Democratic primary for township supervisor.
Before the absentee ballots were counted, Kim Toney and a challenger, Robert Exler, won the top two slots in the primary. After 50 absentee ballots were counted, Toney and her running mate, Jerry Chalmers, prevailed.
Chalmers and Kim Toney have not been accused of wrongdoing.
Richard Toney's attorney declined comment in advance of the 2 p.m. plea.
