MARK SCOLFORO
Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A senior Pennsylvania state senator faces allegations he violated rules of professional conduct for lawyers while working for a Utah-based company that helps find heirs to people who died without leaving a will.
The Supreme Court's Disciplinary Board this week scheduled an October trial in the case of Dauphin County Republican Sen. Jeff Piccola, who's chairman of the Education Committee.
A 72-page complaint filed June 29 by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel claims Piccola's violations include a rule that prohibits dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.
Piccola's lawyer denies the allegations against him, and he says he was never in a position where he had a true conflict of interest.
The charges relate to his dealings as local lawyer for Salt Lake City-based Kemp and Associates, an heir-hunting firm.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
