For the first time in more than two years, the public may be about to hear a side of the Bonusgate story that Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Corbett doesn't want to be heard.
Has this possibility been greeted in the Capitol with anticipation? Relief? A sense of satisfaction?
No, it's been more like one long primal scream of panic.
The Tribune-Review today reports that lawyers for the defendants on Thursday served between 40 and 100 House members and staff with subpoenas to testify at a hearing next week on the defendants' motions to dismiss the charges.
The motions are based on various deficiencies in the shoddy case Corbett has cobbled together. Anyone whose true goal is justice would welcome the opportunity to expose these flaws.
Diogenes needn't waste his time in Harrisburg. Caucus lawyers immediately reassured the desperate witnesses they will fight to quash the subpoenas. The same caucus that supposedly encouraged staff to go forth and tell the truth when Corbett was asking the questions now issues the order, "Clam up!" when telling the truth might look bad for Corbett.
Part of the reason for the hysteria can be found in a second Tribune-Review article today, which gives Corbett free rein to bang his "investigation is continuing" drum.
This unceasing din, while headache-inducing for most of us forced to endure it, brings Corbett great joy on several fronts. Most importantly, it keeps everyone in the Capitol perpetually cowed. How can any member or staff person have the courage to step up to the witness stand and tell the truth about Corbett's disaster of a case when Corbett's foot is on his or her neck? "You could be next," is the not-so-subtle-message.
Where does this leave our hapless defendants? The defendants' right to a defense includes the right to carefully examine the case Corbett has constructed. Instead, Corbett throws out his arms to block it from view and shrieks, like a middle-schooler working on a science project, It isn't finished yet!!
If it isn't finished (and by this time the rest of his class has graduated and moved on) then why did he file charges? If he's not ready, after all this time, to stand up in court and allow the public to examine his case, then this case doesn't belong in court.
Of course, it may be that Corbett really never wants this case to end up in court, at least not while he's still got to make it work. He needs this jalopy to carry him only as far as the Governor's Office. Then he can abandon it on the side of the road and leave the mess for someone else to clean up.
P.S. Could it be Corbett already is hearing the tell-tale sounds of sputtering under the hood? He told the Tribune-Review, "The people who are in charge of this investigation are career prosecutors, career agents. The decisions that will be made — and I won't be making those decisions — are made in the best interests of the prosecution ..." That may not be finger-pointing quite yet, but he's definitely taking off his gloves.
16 comments:
Too many good people from both political parties are involved and many never had the intent to the break the law.
Corbett is seeing a mes that can comeback back on US Attorneys and other State Offices and even his own.
The fair solution all along was a settlement to repay the bonuses, expenses, and some fines to reimburse the taxpayers.
There was never a need to perp walk these people, hang them out to dry publicly, and now cost millions to send them to prisons they were never meant to go to at anytime just like Dr. Cyril Wecht.
Corbett is at an end game that can end many people in Pennsylvania, if there are suicides over these petty charges, it is a burden I wish on no one especially Prosecutors that think they wre doing their jobs, but it was about politics all along.
Hope resonable minds prevail, and peopel do the right thing.
Ghosts from the Past living in current events and a portending of the future.......only goes to show just when you think you may be dead on right you end up in the wrong fight......and nobody wins!
When Laywers from both political parties get together seeking justice sometimes the prosecutors become victims of their own zeal.
A warning or coincidence or last chance to reconsider what really happen?
Article:
Specter, Wecht's lawyers blast U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan
By The Tribune-Review
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Defense lawyers and a U.S. senator are criticizing comments made by Pittsburgh's U.S. attorney last month as her office dismissed fraud and theft charges against a noted pathologist.
Lawyers for former Allegheny County Coroner Cyril Wecht are calling on U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to formally rebuke U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan, saying she "vindictively ... expressed the view that Dr. Wecht was a criminal and was guilty of the charges made against him."
"We trust you will agree such statements by a United States prosecutor are completely improper, violate all notions of prosecutorial ethics and decency, and warrant remedial action by the Department of Justice," former Attorney General Richard Thornburgh wrote in a June 16 letter to Holder.
Prosecutors originally indicted Wecht on 84 counts in January 2006, but the case was whittled down before a trial that ended in a hung jury. The charges were then trimmed again until 14 counts remained, but the government's case was undermined when a judge threw out two search warrants.
Buchanan, in announcing the dismissal of the case June 2, defended the decision to bring charges against Wecht.
"He wasn't acquitted of anything. It was a hung jury. ... However, in our society, everyone is innocent until proven guilty," she said.
"I'm absolutely confident it was the right prosecution to bring," she said. ... If I could have a do-over, I'd still bring the case. Even with the tremendous criticism that's been dumped on this office, I still believe a crime was committed here."
Sen. Arlen Specter, a longtime Republican who switched to the Democratic party in April, also criticized the comments as "not appropriate."
"When a case is dismissed, the presumption of innocence is that the person is innocent," the former Philadelphia district attorney said during an appearance Friday in Oakdale. "There ought not to be a denunciation ... that the individual is guilty. That's not fair play."
Buchanan was out of town and unavailable for comment.
Buchanan was appointed by President George W. Bush in September 2001, and the nation's federal prosecutors serve at the discretion of the president.
Specter has said a legal panel will interview replacement candidates July 17, and he and other congressional leaders will work with the Obama administration to announce a candidate "in a few weeks."
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_632319.html
Could you explicate some of your comments? Casablancapa aggregated all news articles but has added insightful comments so I am confused:
1) What do you mean that AG Corbett's case is shoddy. It seemed solid against all, or most, of 12 House Democratic Defendants. The selective prosecution defense based on politicization of the prosecution, no House Republicans including Perzel or Senate Republicans, including Mike Long, have been charged even though seems to be public evidence that they did what the 12 indicted did.
2) with regard to your previous post on emails, I thought the Michael Edmiston emails that Nora Winkelman, a Lower Merion Narberth Democratic Chair, were new and had not been seen by AG before. Did I misunderstand
3) the Sidella emails were, as I read your comments, not turned over by Bill DeWeese. Wouldn't this be a breach of what seemed to be the mutually benefit agreement that Bill DeWeese made to throw all his colleagues with whom he worked under the bus?
4) the career prosecutors may well be hearing the bus getting closer to them. It is truly distressing to see AG politicize this. Real people are out of work and will be for a long time. Reputations ruined. and all might be justified in government were a bit cleaner but, if I read you right, all these prosecutions will fall apart. I like to think the voters will figure out what a phony Corbett is but one is not encouraged.
This is a great site. the drama, all fun, until now. If this is really a weak case, and all political hype, sound and fury signifying only a very ambitious prosecutor, then it is not fun. Innocent people have been harmed and the public not served. Tell me I am wrong.
Simple, Bob.
CasablancaPA is run by Veon & Cott. But of course, they'll never post this answer. They never do.
Could you explicate some of your comments? Casablancapa aggregated all news articles but has added insightful comments so I am confused:
MY ANSWERS & THOUGHTS:
I AM JUST A NEUTRAL OBSERVER AND HERE ARE MY ANSWERS IN CAPS, I UNDERSTAND OTHERS MAY DIFFER IN OPINIONS AND FACTS.
1) What do you mean that AG Corbett's case is shoddy. It seemed solid against all, or most, of 12 House Democratic Defendants. The selective prosecution defense based on politicization of the prosecution, no House Republicans including Perzel or Senate Republicans, including Mike Long, have been charged even though seems to be public evidence that they did what the 12 indicted did.
MY ANSWER & THOUGHTS:
THIS IS THE PROBLEM, INSTEAD OF INVESTIGATING ALL FOUR CAUCUSES THE ONLY ONES THAT WERE INVESTIGATED BEFORE LAST YEARS ELECTION WAS THE DEMOCRATIC HOUSE CAUCUS. FRANKLY, ALL FOUR CAUCUSES SHOULD HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED AT ONCE AND ALL FINDINGS REPORTED AT ONCE.
IT IS PATENTLY UNFAIR THAT THE PROSECUTION IS TAKING 3 YEARS TO CONTINUE THE INVESTIGATIONS AS WELL, AND THIS IS A VIOLATION OF THE SIXTH AMENDMENT OF US CONSTITUTION AS WELL AS PENNSYLVANIA CONSTITUTION.
YOU ONLY SAY THAT THE CASE LOOKS STRONG AGAINST ALL 12 DEFENDANTS BECAUSE YOU HAVE NEVER READ ABOUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN SENATE CAUCUSES. IN ADDITION, WE HAVE READ WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE CAUCUS BUT IT HAS BEEN 3 YEARS AND STILL NO PRESENTMENTS ON REPUBLICANS? THIS IS NOT RIGHT AND NEVER HAS BEEN AND SHOULD BE RESOLVED WITH PROPER KNOWLEDGE THAT MANY DID NOT INTEND TO BREAK LAWS.
ADDITIONALLY, SENATOR FUMO WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR SOMETIME BY THE FEDS AS WE KNOW. YET, HE DID DO THINGS THAT THE JURY FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL AND CROSSED SOME LINES IN THE PROCESS. SOME FEEL, VEON STARTED TO COPY FUMO PRACTICES, BUT IT IS EASY TO ATTACK LAWMAKERS WHNE PRIVATE EXPENSES ARE USED ON STATE TIME.
ANOTHER BIG PROBLEM WITH THE STATE CASE IS THAT IT IS A MURKY, GREY, AND VERY FINE LINE BETWEEN CAMPAIGNING AND CONSTITUENT SERVICE AND SO EASY TO CROSS AT ANYTIME AND LOOK FOOLISH AFTER THE FACT, AND EVEN HARDER TO JUDGE WHEN LOOKING AT ALL THE FACTS TOO.
HERE IS WHERE THE AG OFFICE CAN SHOW SOME COMPASSION AND AVOID A BLOWBACK ON THEMSELVES BY THE PUBLIC AND JURY.
2) with regard to your previous post on emails, I thought the Michael Edmiston emails that Nora Winkelman, a Lower Merion Narberth Democratic Chair, were new and had not been seen by AG before. Did I misunderstand
MY ANSWERS & THOUGHTS:
IT LOOKS LIKE TO ME, THESE EMAILS ARE NOT CONNECTED TO BONUSGATE SINCE NO BONUSES WERE PAID OUT IN LARGE AMOUNTS IN THOSE YEARS. THERE MAY BE SOME MISTAKES MADE BUT NOT TO THE LEVEL OF CRIMINAL INTENT, IN MY OPINION.
PART II CONTINUED:
3) the Sidella emails were, as I read your comments, not turned over by Bill DeWeese. Wouldn't this be a breach of what seemed to be the mutually benefit agreement that Bill DeWeese made to throw all his colleagues with whom he worked under the bus?
MY ANSWERS & THOUGHTS:
FROM WHAT I READ, BILL DEWEESE ASSERTED ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE TO PROTECT THE MEMBERS OF HDC EMAILS NOT THROW THEM UNDER ANY BUS.
I HAVE HEARD SOME PEOPLE IN THE HDC ARE GONG THROUGH EMAILS AND TARGETING SOME LEGISLATORS INSTEAD OF JUST DOING THEIR JOBS. IF THIS IS TRUE, DEWEESE IS NOT THROWING ANYONE UNDER THE BUS BUT SOME PEOPLE CAN BE BROUGHT IN TO EXPLAIN WHAT THEY ARE DOING WHEN THEY ARE LOOKING FOR CULPABLE EVIDENCE ON STATE TIME, AND THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE PROSECUTORS.
DEWEESE DID THE RIGHT THING AND SHOULD BE A SYMBOL TO ALL LAWMAKERS WHEN FACED WITH WRONGDOINGS HE WAS NOT AWARE OF, OR DONE AFTER HE WARNED OTHERS NOT TO DO IT ON STATE TIME.
IT HAS HAPPEN MANY TIMES IN POLITICS, BUSINESS AND EVEN AT COLLEGES, WHEN YOU HAVE TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST LONG TIME STAFFERS BECAUSE THEY DID THINGS THEY THOUGHT WOULD HELP THE CANDIDATES.
BUT WATERGATE TAUGHT EVERYONE, THE WORSE THING YOU CAN DO IS AN ATTEMPT OF A COVER UP.
DEWEESE DID SOMETHING MANY LAWMAKERS NEVER DREAM OF DOING, FIND OUT WHAT HAPPEN, HIRE INSPECTOR GENERALS THAT KNOW GOVERNMENT, TAKE ACTION, CORRECT IT, REFORM IT, AND PRACTICE IT FOR ALL TO SEE.
DEWEESE MAY HAVE SAVED EVEN SOME THAT HAVE NOT PLEADED, HOW EVIDENCE IS GATHERED IS OFTEN MORE IMPORTANT ON APPEAL THAN DURING THE GRAND JURY AND ESPECIALLY DURING THE TRIALS.
JUSTICE REQUIRES SYMBOLS OF CHARACTER AND DEWEESE DID THE RIGHT THING, AND THE AG OFFICE KNOWS IT.
PART III CONTINUED:
4) the career prosecutors may well be hearing the bus getting closer to them. It is truly distressing to see AG politicize this. Real people are out of work and will be for a long time. Reputations ruined. and all might be justified in government were a bit cleaner but, if I read you right, all these prosecutions will fall apart. I like to think the voters will figure out what a phony Corbett is but one is not encouraged.
MY ANSWERS & THOUGHTS:
TAKING 3 YEARS ON ONE CAUCUS AND TAKING SO LONG ON REPORTING ON 3 OTHERS IS JUST UNFAIR AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL ESPECIALLY IF IT TAKES EVEN LONGER.
ALSO, CORBETT’S OWN CAMPAIGNS AND THE ONES HE WORKED ON BETTER BE SQUEAKY CLEAN WHEN HE WAS SUPPORTING CANDIDATES AS WELL IN AND OUT OF OFFICE.
I DOUBT ALL AND ANY CAN BE ALL CLEAN SINCE THIS IS SUCH A MURKY AREA.
CONSEQUENTLY, ONE HAD BETTER NOT HOLD OTHERS LIABLE FOR PRISON IF THEY HAVE GLASS HOUSES TOO!
This is a great site. the drama, all fun, until now. If this is really a weak case, and all political hype, sound and fury signifying only a very ambitious prosecutor, then it is not fun. Innocent people have been harmed and the public not served. Tell me I am wrong.
MY ANSWERS & THOUGHTS:
I DO NOT FEEL THAT ALL PEOPLE ARE INNOCENT ON EVERYTHING. SURE MISTAKES WERE MADE, MANY WILL TELL THAT TO YOU, BUT DO THEY REALLY RISE TO LEVEL OF PERP WALKS CRIMES?
MANY DID NOT KNOW THEY WERE BREAKING LAWS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY DID NOT DO IT WITH INTENT.
SURE, THERE WERE SLOPPY PRACTICES, MISTAKES MADE, AND ETHICS VIOLATED MUCH LIKE THE CYRIL WECHT CASE WHEREBY HE COULD HAVE REIMBURSED THE TAXPAYERS INSTEAD OF WASTING A TON OF MONEY ON A UNPROVEN PROSECUTION THAT COST MORE THAN WHAT WAS ALLEGED.
BUT ALL OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED, REIMBURSED BY ALL INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED, AND NO CONTEST PLEAS WITH A REPRIMAND NOT TO DO IT AGAIN.
THE THREE THAT FELT THEY BROKE THE LAW HAVE ADMITTED TO WHAT THEY DID, THE DID WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO, BUT OTHERS HERE ARE TRUE VICTIMS TOO.
YET, NOW SOME THAT HAVE BEEN FRIGHTEN INTO POINTING FINGERS THINKING THEY BROKE THE LAWS ARE REALLY HURTING OTHERS AND THEY HAVE NO CHOICE SINCE THEY PLEADED GUILTY AND OTHERS HAVE IMMUNITY.
OVERALL, IT IS SHOCKING JUST LIKE IN CASABLANCA. SOME VERY GOOD PEOPLE THAT SERVED THE PUBLIC ARE BEING HELD AS CRIMINALS AND GIVEN PERP WALKS THAT NEED NOT HAVE BEEN DONE. IT IS UNFAIR, IN MY OPINION WHEN WE HAVE PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO REIMBURSE THE TAXPAYERS AND LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE THE NEXT ELECTION ON LAWMAKERS THAT HAD SLOPPY PRACTICES NOT THE PROSECUTORS.
THE AG OFFICE HAS TO DO WHAT IT MUST DO, BUT THEY REALLY SHOULD BE LOOKING AT A FAIR SOLUTION TO ALL OF THE CASES, IT IS RESPONSIBLE JUSTICE NEEDED AT THIS CRITICAL TIME.
July 5, 2009 2:25 PM
JULY 6, 2009
Thanks. I said the case looks strong against House Ds and it seems you think there was a fine line that was, without criminal intent, crossed from time to time. I am not sure I can agree but we shall see.
As to Senate Rs and House Rs, it seems there may well be as strong a case in which case AG needs to prosecute evenhandedly and charge all or not charge any.
Matt Wright has not been mentioned but I recall Lisa Deon, whose brother, I think, is Republican heavy hitter in Bucks County had a very, very detailed list of Matt Wright's use of government resource for his own political campaign. There was the western Penna. Republican who was convicted for doing what Lisa Deon said Matt Wright did.
Senate Ds seem not to have a bonus problem. Former Sen. Fumo sucked up all the attention.
As to DeWeese, there seems to be a difference of opinion. If Veon and Cott are guilty, then DeWeese had to know. I am not so sure he did the right thing. The Sidella and the Edmiston emails indicate he was not totally forthcoming and I use the word "indicate". All I know is what I read in the newspapers and that is not a good foundation for anything but speculation.
If these charges are weak, then the career prosecutors may have reason to be ashamed of themselves and they may have ruined the last positive image that the public has of Republicans, that is, good on law enforcement.
Political prosecutions are very dangerous for everyone. The abuse of power is truly awesome and frightening.
The diversity of opinion on this site is helpful to me in southeast.
As a citizen, this is not good use of government time and resources. We have some real budget and pension issues that are being badly handled by Gov and General Assembly. We simply cannot spend money we do not have. The unemployment is real.
The pundits play the odds and maybe they are right but I hope A Lincoln was right that you can't fool all the people the time. The Hacks are having a good run but hard times may focus our attention.
all the best to all of you
I just hope no one commits suicide over these charges, pressures to testify against each other, and thinking their lives are over because of all the publicity, attorne fees, and feelings of losing their pensions, families, and loved ones by being unemployed.
It is a burden that often follows Prosecutors after the fact, and when they see some people are just too fragile to handle all the intimidation, and give up, thn it comes homes years later with regrets that can bring no one back.
There has to be found a better way to seek justice and still provide compassion knowing the election process and office holders and staff's relationships are all bound by very difficult laws that almost anybody can violate everyday.
People becoming victims of their own principles and hard work to please citizens by doing their jobs, should be understood, and any practices can be reformed.
I am really worried about some very good people that are caught up with a process they may not be able to handle. I hope I am wrong and they are strong in their beliefs of their character, in jobs that require remarkable service, abilities, and loyalty.
All of these comments lose sight of the fact that real crimes were committed, and yes, it is going to be painful for those that participated in this internal culture of entitlement and corruption. Are there Republicans that engaged in illegal activity....probably. Was corbett's prosecution fair and balanced...probably not. Does that mean that the 12 defendants are innocent....no.
The people elected the defendants (or their bosses) and put their trust in them to behave ethically and within the law. Activity like running a fundraising operation out of a state office using state phones, computers, and utilities, is not a "blurry line". It is a clear violation, intended to give those in power an advantage over their opponents.
They violated the trust, they must now pay the price.
Good to see a sense of justice and fairness is under heavy consideration by the Judicial Branch.
The AG’s Office looks to be in trouble at least from a perception of the public is concerned with the charges it engaged in "selective prosecution" by charging some and not others.
Corbett, a likely GOP candidate for governor, has charged only Democrats is now a 3 year old fact, his slowness to investigate and indict members of his own political party is proving he may not have the competence to be Governor based on why it is taking too long.
Corbett claims he is investigating Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate and he will file more charges, also may be in trouble if it selects more Democrats than Republicans.
Veon's lawyers arguments that others in government were engaged in similar behavior, has some merit when it comes to campaigning and constituent service, fundraising on or at state facilities, and talking about campaigning is done almost everywhere in the world, and does not rise to the intent to defraud taxpayers.
However, Veon will have trouble on using state employees, time, and expenses to move motorcycles to Idaho and other matters that take on a Senator Fumo arrogance pattern of entitlements to state resources for personal services.
Todd Eachus using Senator Fumo former Law Firm is not wise either, to investigate caucus members on state time and now is distancing himself from Veon!
After all, Todd Eachus on his own paid off Veon Campaign Debt without knowledge or approval of the Democratic Caucus Leadership, now he is all of a sudden on the other side.
Fumo's old Law Firm Dilworth Paxson should not be in the middle of alleged investigating anyone but himself or herself, and what Fumo alleged brought to them.
In some aspects, Veon's Lawyers are right to start to investigate and question how they are being held accountable as Dilworth Paxson forgets about a former Law Partner now convicted in Federal Court by a Jury of his peers?
It just looks bad and it will become worse as time goes by!
I do not care who is running CasablancaPA, I think it is a great place to learn about what has happen, and how we can reform for the future.
People under accusations should be allowed to defend themselves and do so in any manner possible.
I have learned much since coming and reading all the comments and articles.
You may be excusing some very bad behavior. This has cost The Forgotten Taxpayer millions for both prosecution and defense and, more importantly, the behavior has undermined the integrity of the electoral process.
It is very unfair and distressing to see that the Senate and House Rs are skating on this. It seems common knowledge that "every body did it" which means every body who did it needs to spend some time in jail.
This is very serious and it appears you, anonymous, acknowledge the wrong doing but understate the seriousness.
Good point about paying the money back. The House Ds can start and then let us see about Perzel and Long.
Wow, now Eachus is taking on Veon and calling for Attorney Client Privilege to prevent him from testifying?
Here is a solution, have Dilworth Paxson pay the fines, bonus money back to the people, after all did not Senator Fumo make it rain for them before he was convicted.
On the other hand, do they have cover of umbrella when it rains and now making more money when hired by Eachus to protect him from Bonusgate.
Senator Fumo worked for them and Eachus hired them, and no one is looking into that at all? No one is saying they ever did anything wrong, but it sounds strange no one is looking into what Fumo brought to them from the senate, and what they are doing now for the House.
I just read this on ToddEachus.com:
"In addition to his legislative leadership roles, Todd also provides political leadership for Pennsylvania Democrats. In 2006 Todd’s campaign strategies and dedication to help incumbent members and first-time candidates led directly to House Democrats retaking the Majority for the first time since 1994
In 2007, Todd expanded his leadership with the House Democratic Campaign Committee and served as chairman, thus helping to coordinate all Democratic House political activities. In 2008, Todd led the effort to expand the Democratic majority by a crucial two seats, setting the stage for the election fo the first Democratic Speaker of the House since 1994."
How can he not know what Veon was doing when he is admitting he ran campaigns?
Now we may know why he hired Fumo's former Law Firm, but we certainly will know more in the coming days, weeks and months ahead?
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