Advertisement Pennsylvania State Rep. Marc Gergely pleads not guilty in McKeesport-area gambling probe Criminal charges against White Oak Democrat stem from investigation of Ronald 'Porky' Melocchi Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A Pennsylvania lawmaker accused of using his political influence to benefit an illegal video gambling ring has pleaded not guilty. (Mobile users: Scroll down for full story.)Democratic State Rep. Marc Gergely appeared Wednesday at his arraignment in the Pittsburgh suburbs. He signed a document to enter the plea, but didn't speak. Gergely was a key cog in an illegal video gambling operation that had some 335 machines at 70 restaurants, bars, bowling alleys and other locations outside Pittsburgh, according to charges announced Tuesday by the state attorney general. The seven-term lawmaker is one of more than a dozen people charged in the case and Senior Deputy Attorney General Mark Serge said more people -- including public officials -- could be charged as the investigation continues. "The allegations show what I would consider the insidious nature of organized crime," Serge said after the arraignment. "You have relationship and money that tends to infiltrate the political system and individuals get caught up in that." Gergely drove up in a sport-utility vehicle and didn't speak to reporters as he entered or left the courtroom. His attorney, Charles Porter Jr. said only, "We are not going to try it in the media. We'll do our talking in court."Video: Watch Bob Mayo's report from district courtThe 46-year-old faces three felonies, including dealing in the proceeds of illegal activity and two counts of corrupt organizations, plus three misdemeanors. District Judge Tom Swan scheduled a preliminary hearing for March 30 and allowed Gergely to remain free without posting bond. A grand jury presentment says Gergely was part of a "super PAC" of marketing heavy hitters who persuaded business owners in and around McKeesport to allow the gambling machines in their restaurants, bars and bowling alleys. The ringleader, Ronald "Porky" Melocchi, pleaded guilty and was sentenced last year to 10 years of probation. His McKeesport organization was raided in 2013. Melocchi relied on his connections to local officials to persuade business owners to install the machines, with Melocchi getting 40 percent of the proceeds and the owners keeping the rest, the grand jury found. "This is an ongoing criminal investigation, we do anticipate more charges in this matter," Serge said. "It could involve other individuals that are involved in the political system and had any kind of relationships with Mr. Melocchi and his organization."Download the WTAE app for your phone or tablet to stay updated with breaking news throughout the day. (Free in your app store.)___A previous story by The Associated Press that was published Tuesday appears below.The owner of Chick's Grill was new in town and skeptical about Ronald "Porky" Melocchi's entreaties to install his illegal video gambling machines in his restaurant in a rough-and-tumble town outside Pittsburgh, and that's when Melocchi allegedly brought in state Rep. Marc Gergely. Gergely, part of Melocchi's "super PAC" of marketing heavy hitters, explained to the restaurateur that he "probably would not make it in McKeesport without the machines," according to a 25-page grand jury document that was unsealed Tuesday and accompanied six charges against Gergely.VIDEO: Watch Bob Hazen's reportAccording to state prosecutors, Gergely was a key cog in an illegal video gambling operation that, when authorities raided it in 2013, amounted to more than $1 million and some 335 machines at 70 restaurants, bars, bowling alleys and other locations outside Pittsburgh. More than a dozen people were charged, now including Gergely, 46, a seven-term lawmaker whose Pittsburgh-area district includes McKeesport.From 2013: Gergely tells WTAE he was not trying to protect 'Porky' MelocchiGergely faces three felonies, including dealing in the proceeds of illegal activity and two counts of corrupt organizations, plus three misdemeanors. Melocchi pleaded guilty and was sentenced last year to 10 years of probation.Gergely, who was first elected in 2002, did not respond to a telephone message left at his White Oak office, and online court records do not name a lawyer who could comment on his behalf.As a result of the charges, Gergely lost his post as the ranking Democrat on the state House Labor and Industry Committee, House officials said. Gergely is at least the eighth current or former Pennsylvania lawmaker to be hit with corruption-related charges since the beginning of 2014. He was scheduled to appear for a preliminary arraignment on Wednesday morning.In a statement, House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, D-Allegheny, called the charges "surprising and disconcerting" and said he regarded Gergely as "a strong voice for improving Pennsylvania's schools and the lives of working people."In the grand jury document, prosecutors said that Melocchi would rely on his connections to local officials to persuade restaurant owners and others to install his machines. Under the arrangement, Melocchi got 40 percent of the proceeds and the owner kept the rest. In Gergely's conversation with the owner of Chick's Grill, Gergely allegedly told the restaurateur that he had law enforcement connections who could keep trouble away. In another instance where Gergely allegedly tried to help Melocchi, he met with another skeptical restaurant owner, told her that he supports small business people and that Melocchi was a "good guy" with whom to do business, prosecutors said. Neither restaurant owner ultimately accepted the machines. Prosecutors also said Melocchi gave a $2,000 campaign contribution to Gergely, gained at least in part from his illegal gambling business, and that Gergely structured it to conceal the source. In November 2012, after the investigation began, prosecutors drafted a letter as though written by a wife distraught that her husband had gambled away their money at Porky's illegal machines at establishments she believed to be protected by local police. "Mr. Gergely, I believe you're the only person I can trust," the letter said. "I don't know if I should call the FBI or State Police." The next day, a wiretapped phone call captured Gergely calling Melocchi to tell him about the letter. Gergely allegedly told Melocchi that he would not turn the letter over to authorities, and he urged Melocchi to find out the gambler's identity and stop him. "I just want to take care of you," Gergely told Melocchi, according to prosecutors. "She obviously has no idea that we have a connection. You know what I mean?"