Chief Deputy Dennis Skosnik, the second in command at the Allegheny County sheriff's office, was arrested yesterday morning on a 12-count federal indictment that accuses him of taking bribes, fixing cases and abusing his power.

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Chief Skosnik, 54, of North Fayette, appeared in court briefly and was released on $50,000 unsecured bond.

His attorney, George Bills, wouldn't comment on the indictment, other than to say, "Everything you read there isn't true."

Chief Skosnik attempted to influence people at "many levels" of Allegheny County government, U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan said in announcing the indictment. The indictment includes one count of wire fraud, five counts of bribery, two counts of mail fraud, three counts of money laundering and one count of tampering with a witness.

He is accused of taking bribes of cash and gifts to help an unidentified man create a for-profit "alternative housing" facility for jail inmates.

The indictment accuses Chief Skosnik of furthering that scheme by giving the man advance notice of real estate opportunities coming out of sheriff's sales; trying to expedite a contract with the office of the chief executive; introducing the man to a judge who also served on the county jail oversight board; and arranging for Sheriff Pete DeFazio to voice support for the alternative housing facility.

In addition to more than $3,500 in cash, Chief Skosnik received show tickets to Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas; meal tickets there; and four tickets to a University of Pittsburgh-Miami college football game. All of the bribes were received from 2001 to 2003, according to the indictment.

Six of the counts against Chief Skosnik accuse him of misusing his power by forcing employees in his office to support Sheriff DeFazio's re-election efforts.

Chief Skosnik pressured employees into buying tickets to fund-raising events and rewarded deputies who made significant contributions by giving them favorable shifts, locations and opportunities for overtime, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

Those who did not contribute were punished with less favorable shifts and fewer overtime opportunities, the prosecution said.

The indictment accuses Chief Skosnik of soliciting cash donations to Sheriff DeFazio's campaign committee but keeping the money for himself, and having "thank-you" letters sent by the committee to the donors to conceal that he kept the money.

He used the cash for golf outings, dining and alcohol, according to the indictment, and laundered $1,000 in cash through his mother's bank account.

The indictment says Chief Skosnik fixed criminal cases, including a DUI charge against an unidentified prominent local businessman; fixed parking tickets; and used deputies from the sheriff's office to do landscaping at his home and to transport his son to and from law school at the University of Pennsylvania.

Ms. Buchanan would not comment further on the allegations.

Sheriff DeFazio refused to comment on Chief Skosnik's case, saying it would be inappropriate.

He issued a brief statement through his attorney, Martin A. Dietz, saying: "My deputies and I remain committed to fulfilling our public service obligations to this county."

The sheriff's executive assistant, Michael Mullen, said yesterday that the office is still "running the same as always."

"We're still arresting people; still serving writs and warrants," Mr. Mullen said. "I don't think he has to defend his office. I think his record as the sheriff is exemplary."

He could not speak about Sheriff DeFazio's reaction to the indictment.

"He and Denny Skosnik have been friends for a long time," Mr. Mullen said. "I can't say how he feels."

Chief Skosnik was arrested at about 7 a.m. yesterday. FBI agents arrived at his home on Elk Rush Drive and telephoned him, giving him the opportunity to dress before he was taken into custody.

At his initial appearance hearing, he arrived in the courtroom in leg irons and handcuffs. His wife attended the hearing.

He is the third person in the sheriff's office to be charged recently in federal court. Former Capt. Frank Schiralli is awaiting sentencing Dec. 2 on one count of perjury for lying to a grand jury, and former Lt. Richard A. Stewart, 57, of Penn Hills, is working on a plea deal with the U.S. attorney's office regarding his own perjury charge.

Ms. Buchanan said federal agents are continuing to investigate.

"The investigation itself is broader than the charges contained in the indictment," she said.

She wouldn't comment on who else is targeted.

"Corruption of law enforcement officers is corrosive to our system of justice," Ms. Buchanan said. "Public corruption at any level will not be tolerated."

She also said that Chief Skosnik's indictment should not cast a pall over the rest of the department.

"There are many good men and women who work for the Allegheny County sheriff's office who have the public interest at heart when they do their jobs every day," she said.

During Mr. Schiralli's trial in September, Sheriff DeFazio, Mr. Mullen and Sgt. Daniel Stehle invoked their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.

Mr. Bills said he spent two hours yesterday morning with Chief Skosnik, the FBI and the prosecution going over the evidence in the case and the charges.

In arguing against the prosecution's request for $100,000 secured bond, Mr. Bills told U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisa Pupo Lenihan that his client had two options yesterday morning -- being arrested and charged, or joining what he called "Club Government."

"If he would've chosen Option B, he would have waived this and been a witness of the government."

Ms. Buchanan would not comment on Mr. Bills' statement, or whether a deal was offered to Chief Skosnik for his cooperation.

"We do not believe he's a flight risk," Ms. Buchanan said. "We do have a concern regarding the protection of witnesses."

One count of the indictment accuses Chief Skosnik of instructing a witness how to provide false information to the grand jury about monetary transactions the witness had with Chief Skosnik.

Judge Lenihan rejected the U.S. attorney's bond request and ordered Chief Skosnik released on $50,000 unsecured bond. She agreed with the prosecution in ordering that Chief Skosnik turn over his passport and any firearms he owns, and stay away from potential witnesses in the case and employees of the sheriff's office.

He will be formally arraigned at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Cessar said Chief Skosnik faces a likely sentence of 10 to 12¹/₂ years in prison if convicted on all counts. His maximum possible sentence is 190 years.