17 Facts About Bob Mellow

Robert J Mellow is an American politician from Pennsylvania who served as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 22nd District from 1971 to 2010.

Bob Mellow served as the Minority Floor Leader from 1994 to 2010 and President pro tempore from 1992 to 1994.

Bob Mellow served in the National Guard from 1962 to 1968 and, afterwards, attended Lackawanna Junior College and University of Scranton.

Bob Mellow earned his BS in accounting from Bethel College.

Bob Mellow was elected to the State Senate in 1970, defeating Republican incumbent Arthur Piasecki, and was the Democratic caucus leader 1989 through 2010.

Bob Mellow represented the 22nd district, which included all of Lackawanna County and neighboring portions of Monroe County and Luzerne County.

Bob Mellow is a supporter of efforts to establish a medical school in Scranton.

Bob Mellow successfully appropriated $35 million of the estimated $100 million cost in the state capital budget.

Bob Mellow was known to be good friends with the former owner of Mount Airy Lodge, Louis DeNaples, who had suspected ties to the Bufalino crime family.

Bob Mellow indicated interest in running for the Governor's office in 2010.

Bob Mellow was succeeded as the Democratic floor leader by Jay Costa.

Bob Mellow was one of the leaders of the ill-fated legislative pay raise in 2005.

Bob Mellow told constituent Bill McIntyre to "Get a life" in an email exchange about the pay raise bill.

Bob Mellow formally pleaded guilty on May 9,2012, to a conspiracy charge related to using Senate staff members to do political work and filing a false tax return.

Bob Mellow gave the same answer when asked if he understood he was pleading guilty to a felony and that it would affect his ability to vote and hold a political office.

Bob Mellow was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison on November 30,2012.

Bob Mellow forfeited his state-funded pension when he was sent to federal prison after his political corruption and tax evasion convictions.