R. Budd Dwyer
On the record
Convicted of bribery + mail fraud; killed himself at televised press conference Jan 22 1987
SEVERITY · SUICIDE · CRIMES · bribery, fraud, mail-fraud
Background
Robert Budd Dwyer (1939–1987) was Pennsylvania State Treasurer 1981-1987. Convicted Dec 18 1986 of bribery + mail fraud (8 federal counts) over a Computer Technology Associates contract kickback. The day before sentencing — January 22, 1987 — held a televised press conference at his Harrisburg office, distributed envelopes to staff, then put a .357 Magnum revolver in his mouth + fired in front of cameras. The footage aired uncut on multiple PA stations during morning newscasts; debate over whether news outlets should run such footage continues. Filme "Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer" (2010) reopened questions of his innocence after key witness Bill Smith recanted.
Curated bio from Officium's editorial pass.
From the article
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Primary sources
Others who held this office in Pennsylvania
- Catherine Baker Knoll (1989-1997)
- G. Davis Greene Jr. (1987-1989)
- Robert E. Casey (1977-1981)
- Grace M. Sloan (1969-1973)
- Thomas Z. Minehart (1965-1969)
- Grace M. Sloan (1961-1965)
- Robert F. Kent (1957-1961)
- Weldon B. Heyburn (1953-1957)
- Ramsey S. Black (1949-1953)