Shapiro, Richards React to Perjury Charges

On the heels of former , Commissioners elect and Josh Shapiro release a joint statement responding to a grand jury’s investigation into Matthews’ perjury and false swearing charges.

“We have the highest regard for the Grand Jury process and appreciate the significant time that the members dedicated to this investigation and its report,” the pair said in a statement. “This report deserves careful and prudent review, and we will be sure to give due consideration to its findings and recommendations.”

The grand jury investigation covered alleged misappropriation of campaign funds for personal expenses, violations of the Sunshine Laws by both Matthews and fellow commissioner Joe Hoeffel, awarding of no-bid contracts to campaign contributors and other conflicts of interest.

Richards and Shapiro said that the investigation supports their feeling that “Montgomery County’s government must become more transparent and more responsible.”

“Montgomery County deserves to have the best county government in Pennsylvania, and we will work every day to make it so,” they said in a statement.

Richards, a Whitemarsh resident township supervisor, was elected to the