Here at CasablancaPA, we are getting a kick out of the great information readers are sending us. The latest document really shows how hypocritical partisan Attorney General Tom Corbett's bonusgate investigation has become.
As everyone is well aware, Corbett uses several members of his official Office of Attorney General staff for campaign work. In fact, the Chief of Staff of the entire OAG, Brian Nutt, regularly moonlights as Corbett campaign manager (how the person in charge of the entire OAG can flit in and out of his state-paid duties so easily is a mystery to us.) Kevin Harley, OAG spokesperson, is also well known as Corbett's campaign spokesperson.
When questioned about how Corbett charged only Democrats for doing what is standard operating procedure for the OAG, Kevin Harley told the Lebanon Daily News:
“There’s a right way to do this, and a legal way, and that is what’s being done (in the attorney general’s office.)" - 7/20/09
It is very convenient for Corbett arbitrarily to define the way he operates as the "right way."
So, we're guessing that Corbett also arbitrarily decided that the "right way" to fundraise for his campaign is to send solicitations into Republican state legislators' official state offices in the Capitol.
Check it out for yourself here.
This is just one more example of the pervasive political activity in Republican legislative offices. And, more troubling, how equally culpable Corbett is.
Corbett clearly condones sending political solicitations to a state-funded office, where it is sorted and delivered by state-funded mailroom workers, opened and screened by a state-funded office worker, and read and considered either by a legislator on state time, or by a state-funded legislative aide on state time.
He may have gotten the idea to use the state-funded political postal service from the House Republican Campaign Committee, which used it to direct checks to the proper people in the Capitol. We sincerely doubt that Republicans Tom Killion, Nick Micozzie, Katie True or Rich Geist have been brought before a grand jury to explain why they directed some rather large donations to and from their state capitol offices.
We are increasingly skeptical that Corbett will bring any charges against Republicans -- certainly none that will "shock the conscience" as he promised in February of this year.
Heck, given the level of political activity Corbett thinks it is ok for state officials to conduct using state workers on state time, he probably won't even bring what we expected to be his window dressing charges against either former Republican Rep. Matt Wright or former Republican Rep. Brett Feese.
As everyone is well aware, Corbett uses several members of his official Office of Attorney General staff for campaign work. In fact, the Chief of Staff of the entire OAG, Brian Nutt, regularly moonlights as Corbett campaign manager (how the person in charge of the entire OAG can flit in and out of his state-paid duties so easily is a mystery to us.) Kevin Harley, OAG spokesperson, is also well known as Corbett's campaign spokesperson.
When questioned about how Corbett charged only Democrats for doing what is standard operating procedure for the OAG, Kevin Harley told the Lebanon Daily News:
“There’s a right way to do this, and a legal way, and that is what’s being done (in the attorney general’s office.)" - 7/20/09
It is very convenient for Corbett arbitrarily to define the way he operates as the "right way."
So, we're guessing that Corbett also arbitrarily decided that the "right way" to fundraise for his campaign is to send solicitations into Republican state legislators' official state offices in the Capitol.
Check it out for yourself here.
This is just one more example of the pervasive political activity in Republican legislative offices. And, more troubling, how equally culpable Corbett is.
Corbett clearly condones sending political solicitations to a state-funded office, where it is sorted and delivered by state-funded mailroom workers, opened and screened by a state-funded office worker, and read and considered either by a legislator on state time, or by a state-funded legislative aide on state time.
He may have gotten the idea to use the state-funded political postal service from the House Republican Campaign Committee, which used it to direct checks to the proper people in the Capitol. We sincerely doubt that Republicans Tom Killion, Nick Micozzie, Katie True or Rich Geist have been brought before a grand jury to explain why they directed some rather large donations to and from their state capitol offices.
We are increasingly skeptical that Corbett will bring any charges against Republicans -- certainly none that will "shock the conscience" as he promised in February of this year.
Heck, given the level of political activity Corbett thinks it is ok for state officials to conduct using state workers on state time, he probably won't even bring what we expected to be his window dressing charges against either former Republican Rep. Matt Wright or former Republican Rep. Brett Feese.
16 comments:
The more I read about this investigation especially the new Attachments from Veon's Lawyers, the more it seems almost everyone and anyone can be in trouble.
It seems to be wide spread practices that were once taken as part of any political job working for any legislature.
Yet, I know most of the citizens of the commonwealth know that these practices are part of the job, and do not really care or understand the true details of how this is going to ruin many lives.
Based on what I am reading, Corbett could indict the entire Legislature of both parties, and we must find a better way to resolve these easily correctable problems.
This is incredible information. I don't understand how this partisan prosecutor gets away with this stuff! How does the PA news media just ignore stuff like this? As I read your post today not only does Corbett send political mail to the state capitol, he is actively soliciting Republican state legislators for contributions while he is supposed to be "investigating" them!
Corbett is a joke. More importantly -- he is dangerous. His so-called investigation is mess and even corrupt. The usual reporters who are supposed to cover this kind of stuff are either too lazy or don't have a clue. It's a damn shame. I've worked in other states and the reporters in those states would never let someone like Corbett get away with using his public position as a prosecutor for his own political gain and as a political weapon.
Thanks for continuing to expose Corbett for the fake he is. I continue to hope that some enterprising reporter (are there any?) in the so-called "mainstream media" will get to work and pop Corbett's hot air ballon.
It is Pennsylvania, Sean Ramley is about to go to trial, he will be found "Not Guilty", based on the evidence in my opinion.
If he found "Guilty", it will be overturned on Appeal and Sean Ramley does not deserve this kind of prosecution.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/18997365/Corbett-Campaign-Solicitation-to-House-Members
It appears that AG Corbett was soliciting people that he might be investigating and prosecuting.
It, also, appears that he sent this campaign solicitation to a government office and it appears it was returned from government office.
Let me know how you read this. It seems to me government resources are used for private, partisan political campaign.
ooops I see that you had the solicitation letter already. Still it does have the appearance of impropriety, does it not?
THE VALACHI (VEON) PAPERS
Attachment 9
Entitled: BIOGRAPHY PAGE FROM TODD EACHUS POLITICAL CAMPAIGN WEB SITE DESCRIBING EACHUS' ROLE WITHIN THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE IN 2006 AND HOW HE HAD COMPLETE CONTROL OF HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE FOLLOWING THE 2006 ELECTIONS.
Eachus' Admission:
"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."
If Eachus takes credit for these campaigns how is it that Veon and Ramley are the only legislators under Indictements?
It is patently unfair to let Todd Eachus unaccountable for actions he cites as his accomplishments during the same period these investigations are taking place.
Peanuts to Poppycock, Gerlachs' attempts to derail Tom Corbetts' future is out of Gerlachs' control.
Only Tom Corbett can stop Tom Corbett, Tom will do what is righteous and honorable for the commonwealth.
Do you think Tom Corbett is so stupid to have his staff members do work on state time as he investigates others doing work on state time?
I doubt it, and it is foolhardy to think otherwise.
Place your faith in your own defense.
Put your money with your Lawyers.
And a future Appeal with Pennsylvania Courts or a Pardon from Governor Corbett in the future.
THE VEON PAPERS
EXHIBIT F
Attachment 11
Document and mails shoping John Paul Jones performing House Democratic Campaign Committee campaign work on state time using state resources in 2007 under Todd Eachus' supervision.
From: Jones, John Paul
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 11:28 AM
To: Manzo, Michael; Cott, Brett
Cc: Manzo, Rachel
Subject: Incumbent Protection Meetings.
GOALS;
1. TO FOCUS, COORDINATE, AND DIRECT CAUCUS RESOURCES FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCUMBENT PROTECTION.
2. TO AVOID DUPLICATION OF INCUMBENT PROTECTION FUNCTIONS BETWEEN CAUCUS STAFF/offices.
3. To notify key caucus staff and leadership of progress (or lack thereof) by individual incumbents with regards to incumbent protection.
4. To share information across offices in order to constantly improve incumbent protection activities.
Meeting Composition:
Chairs- Rep. Eachus, (NOT INVESTIGATED)
Mike Manzo, (GUILTY PLEA)
Brett Cott (INDICTED)
Leader's office- Paul Parsells (NOT INDICTED)
LCO- Chris Zarek (NOT INDICTED)
LRO- Jen Brubaker (INDICTED)
OMS- Eric Webb (STATE WITNESS IMMUNITY)
Approp.- Miriam Fox (NOT INDICTED)
ODA- Scott Casper(NOT INDICTED)
Policy Com-Rachel Manzo (INDICTED)
Secretary-Mike Risch(NOT INDICTED)
Comm.-Barb Grill & Bill Patton(NOT INDICTED)
HDCC- Dan W. & Jess W.(NOT INDICTED)
F/R- Erin Madison (NOT INDICTED)
Misc. Staff- Jon Price, Bob Caton(NOT INDICTED)
Now can one explain to me, how some were Indicted and others were not at the same meeting, where teh Ag Office said it was on state time, using state resources?
Strawberry Square Forever!
I amazed that the reader is so naive. Obviously you are not aware of the speech of a pundit journalist at his retirement, whenm he admitted to his colleagues that after fifty years in the profession he had to be honest and accept that they were all merely whores who were paid to write what they were told. Can't remember if it was edward r. murrow or h.h. munro, but then you can play detective. Have fun masquerading as a journalist/whore.
Get in touch with your other side.
The Constitution gives the governor the Right to Appoint and Pardon. The Attorney General is also given a broad range of Duties.They both serve on many commisions and authorities as Ex-Officio members. .......as long as they shall behave. Mayhaps, herein lies the reason(s) for this Odyssey. Who is aligned with who? or, is it Whom?
FRANKIE FELONIE IS FULL OF BULLONEY
I once was interviewed to write a column for a Newspaper, he ask me if I ever lied, I say everyday, he said, I was hired!
I wrote for about 6 months, then quit, I just ran out of topics, I was told they would give me the topics so long as I wrote some things of influence.
I quit!
"It is very convenient for Corbett arbitrarily to define the way he operates as the 'right way.'"
He didn't define the "right way". The law defines that. Try reading them sometime.
Either it's legal to use your taxpayer-funded staff and resources for political purposes or it's not. The only thing that distinguishes Corbett's use of state resources for politicas and that of the defendants is that Corbett is the one making the call. We call that arbitrary.
The way to avoid being indicted by a grand jury or charged by a prosecutor is to avoid committing an alleged crime (or crimes). Stop blaming the legal system for the fact that you got caught (or is it spelled "Cott"?).
If the district attorney prosecutes a big drug dealer, it matters not that other alleged drug dealers are still out there and they're not being prosecuted at the same time. They usually get theirs at some point, but only if there is enough evidence to build a case.
Using the "CasablancaPA" model, all alleged drug dealers should throw up an anonymous Web site. That way they could chronicle every street corner sale of a nickle bag or a rock of crack, and criticize the district attorney for being partisan: "He's only charged some Crips. When's he going to charge some Bloods?"
Anonymous said......"The way to avoid being indicted by a grand jury or charged by a prosecutor is to avoid committing an alleged crime (or crimes). Stop blaming the legal system for the fact that you got caught (or is it spelled "Cott"?). If the district attorney prosecutes a big drug dealer, it matters not that other alleged drug dealers are still out there and they're not being prosecuted at the same time. They usually get theirs at some point, but only if there is enough evidence to build a case. Using the "CasablancaPA" model, all alleged drug dealers should throw up an anonymous Web site. That way they could chronicle every street corner sale of a nickle bag or a rock of crack, and criticize the district attorney for being partisan: "He's only charged some Crips. When's he going to charge some Bloods?" August 24, 2009 7:57 AM"
So long as all people are held to same standards, you are correct sir, but so far, no Democrats or Republicans in the senate has been held to that standard, except Fumo by the FEDS.
The same can be said for Republican Lawmakers and Governors Cabinet, and even the judicial branches.
Hard To Be Perefct In An Imperfect World Of Politics That Can Be More Selective Than Fair!
Americans love fairness above all traits!
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