Twitter Users Not Subpoenaed in Conspiracy Case

Pennsylvania’s attorney general gave up an attempt to subpoena two Twitter users who commented on a political conspiracy case on Friday after the defendant in the case was sentenced.

The attorney general’s office had subpoenaed Twitter to divulge the identities of two users who had posted writings that were sympathetic toward the defense, but prosecutors said after Friday’s hearing that the information had not been produced and they considered it a moot point.

The subpoenas were criticized by civil liberties groups as a violation of free rights.

The defendant in the case, Brett W. Cott, a former Democratic employee in the Pennsylvania Legislature, received a 21-month-to-5-year sentence Friday for his role in a conspiracy to divert state resources to wage political campaigns.

Judge Lewis called Mr. Cott’s actions “a violation of the public’s right to a fair and equitable electoral process” that was “unmistakably far over the line.”

He fined him $11,000 and ordered him to pay $50,000 in restitution.

Mr. Cott said nothing at sentencing, and afterward his attorney, Bryan Walk, vowed to appeal.

Mr. Cott was convicted in March of felony theft, conspiracy and conflict-of-interest charges for what prosecutors described as a wide-ranging scheme to use legislative employees and public resources to run campaigns. He was acquitted of 39 counts.