HARRISBURG -- Defense attorneys in the Bonusgate trial this afternoon rested their case after calling about two dozen witnesses.

That opens the door for prosecutors to call rebuttal witnesses in the trial in which state Democratic caucus members and staff are accused of using state money to pay bonuses to employees who did political work.

None of the defendants, former state Rep. Mike Veon of Beaver County and three former aides, testified in the case.

So far, 52 witnesses have been called.

State Rep. Marc Gergely, D-White Oak, was among those who testified today.

He was among several lawmakers who played weekly basketball games with Mr. Veon and later took part in dinners at taxpayer expense. Those dinners cost almost $16,000 between 2004 and 2006 and included everything from $5 burritos to filet mignon, shark and lobster ravioli.

Mr. Gergley said the meals sometimes included beer, but more often coffee.

They also played card games such as spades and wagered $5 a game.

The trial is in its sixth week of testimony in the case against Mr. Veon and former aides Brett Cott, Stephen A. Keefer and Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink.

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