The day before he was to be sentenced for his role in a bribery conspiracy, Pennsylvania Treasurer R. Budd Dwyer held a news conference and shocked the world by pulling out a .357 Magnum revolver.
He alleged widespread, uninvestigated corruption in his case. Before a roomful of stunned reporters and unblinking cameras, he shot himself to death.
In The Sins of Our Fathers, two young writers set out to learn the truth behind Dwyer's conviction and fall.
They discover dark secrets about their hometown, and a century of hidden history leading to the treasurer's death.
Sometimes even policemen must wait decades to turn in offenders. Posted 2-8-11 Watch >
Hershey Trust Abuses and Sham Investigations 3-13-12 Read >
Mary Louise Porter has lost her job as general counsel of the Hershey Trust Company. Law.com 10-18-11 Read >
Hershey Trust hires Rendell aide John Estey of Ballard Spaar for legal work Philly.com 10-11-11 Read >
Hershey School Scandal Underscores Need for Watchful Governance: 'It is one of the longest lingering scandals in the modern nonprofit world and one of the most glaring examples of the abuses of the public trust that can happen when regulators fail to keep a close eye on a charity’s governance.' Chronicle of Philanthropy 9-14-11 Read more >
Hershey Trust Board Hit With Lawsuit Seeking Board Member Removal And $20+ Million In Surcharges. Posted 2-10-11. Read lawsuit pdf > Read article here >
Report: LeRoy Zimmerman leaving Hershey Co. board of directors. Posted 2-9-11 (or download pdf here)
Yardbird Books has reissued The Sins of Our Fathers in a revised, perfect-bound edition with an all-new afterword. Posted 1-22-11
Downloads and info
Read these documents and solve the case!
Budd Dwyer's Final Statement (including the unleased final page) Jan. 22, 2987 7.2 meg >
'Notes taken from federal source re CTA' dated 7-28. 954 kb >
'Notes from CTA trial May 8-10, 1985, Dwyer testimony highlights.' 2.7 megs >
'Judy Shopp Smith Trial Notes.' 1.1 meg >
'CTA Trial Notes -- (James) West's Closing Highlights June 12, 1985' 630 kb >
Watch videos and more
Sam Orlowski's film '65
This film was given to writer Bill Keisling in 1987 by retired Pennsylvania State trooper Sam Orlowski, as discussed in the book The Sins of Our Fathers. In the film, Orlowski's informant, bookmaker Tony Brandt, is seen handing money to Steelton, PA, chief of police, who counts the payoff in his car. The post-marked date of the film on the box is October 4, 1965. Watch >
'Little book with big bite'
Pennsylvania public officials attempt to suppress The Sins of Our Fathers. First broadcast on WHTM-TV on May 10, 1988. Watch >
R. Budd Dwyer 'Honest Man' documentary panel discussion
Panel discussion following a screening of the documentary film 'Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer.' Included on the panel are the children of the former Pennsylvania state treasurer, Dee Dee and Rob Dywer; Budd Dwyer's sister, Mary Kun; the director of the film, James Dirschberger; and Bill Keisling, author of the book The Sins of Our Fathers. Moderated by Dennis Owens of WHTM-TV. This panel discussion was held on November 11, 2011 at the Midtown Cinema in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Watch >
