During the early 1980's, it was learned that Pennsylvania public employees, over the course of several years, had overpaid millions in FICA (Federal Insurance Contribution Act) taxes.  As a result, each one of these people would all be owed refunds.  It would now be the job of the state to hire a firm to calculate the amount due to each individual.

John Torquato Jr. (a Harrisburg native) was the owner of a California firm known as Computer Technology Associates (CTA).  His father, John Torquato Sr. had strong political connections in the Harrisburg area.  Because of this, CTA was a strong contender in the bid to win the FICA recovery contract.

In 1983 John Torquato Jr. allegedly began offering bribes to some "very surprising" people, in attempt to "move up" on the list of firms being considered for the FICA recovery contract.  These secret deals reportedly went on for several months until May 10, 1984, when CTA was awarded the recovery contract.  The last sign onto the contract, was Pennsylvania State Treasurer R. Budd Dwyer.

On May 14, 1984 a strange memo from an anonymous person ended up the in the governors office.  It loosely stated (Without naming any names) that the FICA recovery contract, which was worth $12-$15 million dollars, had "uncompletevly" been awarded to a California firm.  This sparked an investigation which led to the cancellation of the FICA recovery contract.  The investigation revealed that bribes (by John Torquato Jr) had been offered to a number of high-ranked public officials.   A list of "payoffs" (on computer disks) were confiscated from the home of Mr. Torquato in late 1984.  State Treasurer R. Budd Dwyer's name was on the list of those who were to receive kickbacks in return for the "no bid" awarding of the FICA recovery contract. 

Oddly enough, it took prosecutors nearly two years to build the case before it finally went to trial in December of 1986.  John Torquato Jr. was granted a plea bargain, which kept him from facing any prison time.  Several other officials were also granted plea bargains in the case.  Out of all the bribes that were offered, the indictment included only two names; R. Budd Dwyer and GOP Chairman Robert B. Asher .    Testimony in the case revealed that Budd Dwyer was to receive a $300,000 kickback and Robert Asher was to receive $100,000.  Budd Dwyer's attorney Paul Killion didn't put up much of a fight, resting his case without calling a single witness to the stand.  It was reported that Mr. Killion felt calling witnesses in Dwyer's defense would do more harm than good. 

Without much of a defense, R. Budd Dwyer was convicted on December 18, 1986.  Mr. Dwyer was reportedly shocked by the guilty verdict and became deeply depressed.  He insisted that his conviction was an injustice and that political enemies had framed him.  Sentencing was scheduled for January 23, 1987.  Mr. Dwyer was facing a maximum sentence of 55 years in prison, along with a fine that would exceed $300,000.  Upon sentencing, Mr. Dwyer would immediately be removed from office and a lifetime of pension and benefits (Totaling over 1.3 million) would all be gone. 

On the evening of January 21, 1987 Budd Dwyer called his family to, what would be their last dinner together, at a small local resturaunt.  Joanne Dwyer, widow of Budd Dwyer, called it a "quiet peaceful evening" that they shared.

January 22, 1987 would be the final day in the life of R. Budd Dwyer.  Before leaving his home that cold snowy morning, he told his daughter how proud he was of her and left a note stating that he "had given up hope."  A news conference was scheduled at 10:30 am at his office in Harrisburg, PA.  Budd arranged his office to have a large table between him and the reporters.   About 30 members of the press crowded the room, expecting Mr. Dwyer to announce his resignation.  Budd was quoted as saying "This has been like a nightmare, like a life in the twilight zone,"  "It wouldn't surprise me to wake up this minute to find out I was home in my bed and had just had a terrible nightmare. That's how unbelievable this has been. I mean, I've never done anything wrong and yet all this horrible nightmare has occurred to me,"

As the live televised conference began, Budd read a long detailed statement. A portion of this statement can be read and heard here. A few mintues into his statement, a few cameramen began wraping up their footage and putting their equipment away.  Budd noticed this and paused for a second before saying "Those of you who are putting your cameras away might want to stay because we're not finished yet."  It was obvious that Budd wanted cameras rolling, in what would be, the final moments of his life.

As Budd contuned reading his statement, he seems extremly nervous and was heavily perspriring.  It even seemed he was on the verge of tears.  Budd skipped portions of his statement and held back the final page.  It stated he would not resign. It pleaded that his story be told. It warned in the final paragraph that some, those with weak stomachs, might want to leave the room, and it quoted from the book The Shame of the Cities by Lincoln Steffens.

Budd then began handing out sealed envelopes to members of his staff.  One contained funeral arrangments, the other an organ doner card, another, a letter to the Governor and the final, a letter to his wife Joanne.  He returned to the podeum and withdrew a .357 magnum from a large manilla envelope that was in his briefcase.  The room went silent for a second until Budd cocked the gun.  Several reporters pleaded with him to please put the gun down.  Some shouted "Budd don't do this!"  " He asked people to "please leave the room if this will offend you."  Budd's press secratary James "Duke" Horshock made an attempt to approach him but Budd warned him off with his final words "No....This will hurt someone."  Budd placed the barrel of the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.  The room errupted in horror and shock.  If it wasn't bad enough, cameras continued to roll, capturing one of the most vile images ever caught on tape.

James Horshock quickly moved in front of Budd's body and told reporters not to panic ("show a little decorum please.") and to wrap up their footage and please leave the room.  As Mr. Horshock observed the horrific scene, he exclaimed, "Dear God in heaven!"  Mr. Horshock became furious as photographers continued to snap pictures of Budd's body and at least one camera continued to roll,  Shortly after 11:30 am, Pennsylvania State Treasuer R. Budd Dwyer was pronounced dead.