The brother of cable-news host Chris Matthews is being charged with lying to a grand jury investigating political corruption in suburban Philadelphia.

Jim Matthews, a Montgomery County commissioner, was arraigned yesterday on perjury charges in an 18-month grand jury investigation.

Prosecutors say Matthews lied about his relationship with a title company that does county business.

Matthews, a Republican, did not run for re-election last month after the party withdrew its endorsement.

His attorney did not immediately return a phone message.

The investigation also uncovered evidence of breakfast meetings between Matthews and other county officials allegedly to decide county business before the county commission actually met each week.

Prosecutors claim those meetings appeared to be improper but not illegal.