Suicide of R. Budd Dwyer
On January 22, 1987, R. Budd Dwyer, the 70th Treasurer of Pennsylvania, committed suicide during a press conference in his office in the Pennsylvania Finance Building. His suicide was broadcast to many television viewers throughout Pennsylvania and the Delaware Valley. While serving as state treasurer in 1984, Dwyer awarded a $4.6 million contract to data processing company Computer Technology Associates (CTA) to help compensate Pennsylvania employees who overpaid federal taxes because of errors in state withholding. An investigation determined Dwyer accepted a bribe to give CTA the contract over more experienced and less expensive competitors, which would have resulted in Pennsylvania losing $6 million if the scheme was successful. In December 1986, he was found guilty on counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, perjury, and interstate transportation in aid of racketeering, and was scheduled to be sentenced on January 23, 1987, facing 55 years in prison and a fine of up to $300,000. The day before his sentencing, Dwyer arranged a press conference in his office in the Pennsylvania Finance Building, where he pulled out a .357 Magnum revolver and shot himself through the roof of his mouth in the presence of reporters. His lawyers made posthumous appeals on his behalf, but all were denied, and his convictions were sustained.
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Fisher Plaza, Harrisburg South Harrisburg
Geographical coordinates (GPS) Address Nearby Places Show on map
Geographical coordinates (GPS)
| Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|
| N 40.266349563854 ° | E -76.880995716839 ° |
Address
Finance Building
Fisher Plaza
17121 Harrisburg, South Harrisburg
Pennsylvania, United States
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