26 State Treasurers Urge Dwyer Suicide Issues Be Resolved

WASHINGTON —  Declaring that “R. Budd Dwyer did not die in vain,” treasurers from 26 states urged authorities Thursday to resolve questions surrounding the public suicide of the Pennsylvania treasurer on Jan. 22.

The National Assn. of State Treasurers said the handling of Dwyer’s criminal case raised “serious questions which warrant a complete and thorough review in order to clear the air for everyone involved.”

“It is our sincere desire that the full truth of the circumstances that led to the death of R. Budd Dwyer be disclosed, and that the haunting questions surrounding this human tragedy be resolved,” said a resolution signed by Utah Treasurer Edward Alter, the association’s president. The resolution was approved without dissent.

Dwyer, a member of the association’s executive board, killed himself at a news conference one day before he was to be sentenced in a bribery-conspiracy case. He had criticized acting U.S. Atty. James West for using testimony against him from William Smith, who had already been convicted of trying to bribe public officials.