HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Ex-Pennsylvania treasurer Rob McCord is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to extortion charges in connection with allegations he tried to strong arm state contractors into donating to his failed gubernatorial campaign.

McCord pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Harrisburg to two charges of extortion. No sentencing date was set.

The 55-year-old McCord was serving a second term as treasurer when he abruptly resigned Jan. 30 and revealed that he faced federal criminal charges.

Prosecutors say he threatened a law firm and a property management firm with the loss of state government business if they didn't contribute a satisfactory amount of money to his campaign.

In telephone conversations apparently recorded by investigators last spring, he allegedly suggested he could make things difficult for the firms as treasurer.