There is no facet of our lives richer with irony and tragic comedy than the seamy world of politics. The latest illustration of it has been provided by indicted Republican legislator and former House Speaker John Perzel.

Perzel, apparently with a straight face, charged that the indictment against him is "political opportunism."

Mr. Perzel ought to know a lot about the topic, as he has that same opportunism to vaunt from a position as restaurant maitre d' to the pinnacle of power as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Perzel achieved a lucrative lifelong position with salary, perks, and a lavish defined benefit pension that most of his Philadelphia area constituents could not ever envision for themselves.

Through 30 long years in the General Assembly, John Perzel was known as a slick operator. He called himself a Republican, yet he consistently voted for tax increase after tax increase, and he said that it was his duty to assist an overtaxing, overspending Gov. Edward Rendell in moving his agenda.

Perzel was an unabashed architect of the slimy middle of the night legislative pay raise of 2005, the fallout from which was so severe as to cause him to be dethroned as Speaker. He was somehow able to acquire for himself special title and privilege as "Speaker Emeritus," which I assume is Latin for "The Speaker who disgraced himself through his shameless greed and was kicked out of a position of privilege."

Is it much of a stretch to believe that Mr. Perzel used public money for political purposes when his entire time in the House has been not about public service, but about amassing as much of the people's money for himself as he can get his grubby hands on and securing re-election?

Mr. Perzel likely has little to worry about even if he is convicted on all of the 82 criminal counts filed against him. It is probable that he will have an influential bunch of experienced pols to argue for leniency if and when sentencing time comes along. Just as Gov. Rendell and state Sen. Christine Tartaglione shamefully pled for leniency for their corrupt pal and felon, Vincent Fumo, so too, I trust, would they go to bat for another one of the good ol' boys, John Perzel.

Oren M. Spiegler is a resident of Upper St. Clair in Allegheny County.