LeAnna M. Washington (born July 28, 1945) is an American politician from Pennsylvania who served as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 4th district from 2005 to 2014. She served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 200 from 1993 to 2005. She resigned in 2014 after being charged with a felony for using campaign staff and state resources to plan her birthday party fundraiser.
LeAnna M. Washington | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 4th district | |
| In office June 14, 2005[1] – January 6, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Allyson Schwartz |
| Succeeded by | Arthur L. Haywood III |
| Constituency | Part of Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties |
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 200th district | |
| In office November 22, 1993[2] – June 14, 2005[3] | |
| Preceded by | Gordon Linton |
| Succeeded by | Cherelle Parker |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 28, 1945 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Divorced |
| Children | 3 children |
| Residence(s) | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Lincoln University |
Early life and education
editWashington was born in Philadelphia. She graduated from West Philadelphia High School and received a Master of Health Science degree from Lincoln University in 1989.[4][5]
Washington was a high school dropout, teen parent, and victim of domestic violence early in her marriage.[6][7]
Career
editShe worked as District Office Manager for former Pennsylvania State Senator Joseph Rocks and as manager of the Philadelphia Parking Authority Employee Assistance Program.[7][5]
She was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 200 in a special election on November 2, 1993, following the resignation of Gordon J. Linton.[8][9]
She was elected to represent the 4th senatorial district in the Pennsylvania Senate in a special election held on May 17, 2005.[10]
On March 12, 2014, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office announced felony charges of diversion of services and conflict of interest against Washington.[11] The charges included usage of staff members and state equipment to plan her birthday party fundraiser.[6]
In October 2014, Washington agreed to leave office early (she had already lost the primary) in exchange for being permitted to retain her retirement benefits. These benefits include lifetime health insurance and a state pension. She agreed to serve three months house arrest, five years of probation, and restitution of $200,000 to the Senate.[12][13]
References
edit- ^ "SESSION OF 2005 - 189TH OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - No. 35" (PDF). Legislative Journal. Pennsylvania Senate. June 14, 2005.
- ^ "SESSION OF 1993 - 177TH OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - NO. 58" (PDF). Legislative Journal. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. June 14, 2005.
- ^ "SESSION OF 2005 - 189TH OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - No. 37" (PDF). Legislative Journal. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. June 14, 2005.
- ^ "Pennsylvania State Senate - LeAnna Washington Biography". www.legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
- ^ a b "Biography". Official Pennsylvania Democratic Caucus Biography. Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus. Archived from the original on July 1, 2003.
- ^ a b Miller, Larry (October 26, 2014). "The amazing rise and fall of LeAnna Washington". www.phillytrib.com. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
- ^ a b "LeANNA M. WASHINGTON" (PDF). Official Pennsylvania Democratic Caucus Biography. Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus.
She was a high school dropout, teen parent, and victim of domestic violence early in her marriage. Her tenacity, perseverance and faith in God allowed her to transform victimhood to victory.
- ^ Cox, Harold (2004). "Pennsylvania House of Representatives - 1993-1994" (PDF). Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Pennsylvania State Legislature: Members, Districts and Party Affiliations by Session, 1790 - 2004. Wilkes University.
- ^ "LeAnna M. Washington (Democrat)". Official Pennsylvania House of Representatives Profile. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Archived from the original on April 20, 2000.
- ^ "2005 Special Election for the 4th Senatorial District". Commonwealth of PA - Elections Information. Pennsylvania Department of State. 2004. Archived from the original on November 28, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
- ^ Couloumbis, Angela; Parks, Jessica (March 12, 2013). "Sen. LeAnna Washington charged with misuse of office". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
- ^ "State Sen. Leanna Washington gets house arrest for corruption plea, will resign Friday". www.pennlive.com. October 30, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
- ^ Tricia L. Nadolny and Jessica Parks (October 31, 2014). "Washington pleads guilty to conflict-of-interest charges". Inquirer.
External links
edit- Pennsylvania State Senate - LeAnna M. Washington official PA Senate website
- Senator Washington - official party website