"A very illuminating and enlightening experience."

Or so says State Rep. Thomas C. Petrone to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, on his 12 hours spent in Allegheny County Jail.

The 60-year old Petrone spent nearly 12 hours in county prison on Sunday, January 4th, after he was arrested for failing to appear at two hearings to arrange support payments for his estranged wife.

The following Monday, the 5th, Judge Cynthia Baldwin found Petrone in criminal and civil contempt of court during a hearing that lasted less than five minutes.

Baldwin sentenced Petrone to time served for the 12 hours he spent in jail, for criminal contempt, which was filed for his failure to appear at the previous hearings and his failure to respond to two certified letters.

She also ordered him to continue paying $1,840 in support payment to his estranged wife for the civil contempt violation.

At this time, Petrone still owes more than $7,500 in support payments.

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