As we've watched Corbett's wide-ranging investigation of the state legislature unfold, it has been curious to us how partisan Republican Attorney General and GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett has hammered an inordinate number of "little fish" while leaving unscathed some significant "big fish."This applies to not only who Corbett has chosen to arrest, but also to who Corbett turned the wrath of his investigators on.
We've looked around the country at other public corruption investigations and we can find no other example where a prosecutor has indicted mainly staff people instead of elected officials.
Zero. None.
It's just unheard of for a prosecutor to hold staff people singularly responsible while absolving the elected officials they worked for. Rather, indicting staff people is the first step toward snagging their culpable supervisors and bosses.
In the aftermath of Corbett's first round of arrests, Pennsylvania's chattering class editorialized and gossiped among themselves that this was to be the pattern with bonusgate. (Tribune Review 8/10/08)
Prime examples of this phenomena are the free-passes Corbett has given Secretary of Revenue Steve Stetler, Rep. Bill DeWeese and Majority Leader Todd Eachus.
Discovery documents included in the Veon pre-trial motions show that Corbett possessed thousands of emails and hours of testimony clearly implicating them. Yet, none of the three have been subpoenaed. Shockingly, they haven't even been interviewed by Corbett's investigators.
Instead, nearly all of Stetler's, DeWeese's and Eachus' staff have been dragged before the Grand Jury or, in the case of the Manzo family, arrested.
Read the testimony and documents for Eachus here, Stetler here and DeWeese here. How does Rachel Manzo wind up in handcuffs, but not her supervisor Eachus?
A more recent example of Corbett's propensity to go after only little fish comes from our close reading of Bill Zlatos' investigative reporting in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review covering the excessive salary and retirement package ($4 million!) awarded to Regis Champ, the CEO of the non-profit Allegheny Valley School. (Tribune Review 8/30/09)
The AVS is best known for being the beneficiary of the royalties from the sale of Steelers "Terrible Towels." However, the bulk of the funding for AVS comes from funds distributed by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, and Zlatos' work has prompted DPW to audit AVS and its parent company Northwestern Human Services. (Tribune Review 9/12/09)
Champ's salary and retirement clearly exceeds most standards of compensation for similar non-profits. Kevin Casey, head of DPW's Office of Developmental Programs, was visibly perterbed by it saying, "Frankly, I was not happy with it. I've never heard of anything of that size in 40 years."
Plus, it appears that Champ being able to cash in on all his unused sick leave ($600,000!) was a special perk that other AVS employees were never allowed. (Tribune Review 9/4/09)
Very suspicious! In fact, Zlatos made a call to Corbett to see if his office was going to investigate. (Tribune Reveiw 9/15/09)
Corbett's answer? An anemic statement that Corbett is "concerned."
This concern hasn't translated into even the most perfuctory investigation according to NHS's spokesperson -- "we're not aware of the concerns stated by the Attorney General's Office."
Here at CasablancaPA, we're not surprised by Corbett's inaction even though DPW has found the compensation packages of AVS and NHS worthy of an audit.
Any criminal investigation of AVS's and NHS's compensation packages would necessitate taking a long, hard look at how NHS's CEO, former Republican State Senator Joe Rocks, has been using tax-payer dollars from DPW to pay his own half a million dollar yearly salary.
Besides being a Republican, Rocks is also a major contributor and fundraiser for Corbett's campaigns -- over $6,500 directly and thousands more through fundraising among NHS employees and associates. See an itemized list here.
Rocks is definitely a big fish and we predict Corbett will never drag him or any of NHS's board into a grand jury.
However, Corbett is only interested in excessive non-profit compensation packages if the investigation doesn't include any big fish and will further his ability to score public relations coups for his gubernatorial ambitions without hurting his fundraising.
Case in point is the criminal investigation and charges brought against Darla LaValle last year.
LaValle was charged on multiple criminal counts because as Executive Director of the Voluntary Action Center she "inflated her salary and pension" and "denied benefits to its employees." (Post-Gazette 8/15/08)
This same activity Champ and Rocks are being audited for by DPW...but no investigation of those two by Corbett?
Darla LaValle is definitely a small fish...and a Democrat...and arresting her would never hurt Corbett's fundraising.
Most importantly for Corbett, Darla LaValle is the wife of former State Senator Jerry LaValle, a key witness for Corbett against Mike Veon in the Beaver Initiative for Growth criminal case.
What better way to get Sen. LaValle to say just about anything a prosecutor could ever want, than to put the squeeze on him through his wife?
The squeeze was grossly transparent in Sen. LaValle's testimony to the Grand Jury where conveniently feigned complete ignorance and then in the second BIG preliminary hearing where under oath he acted like a senile trick-pony for Corbett. (Tribune-Review 9/4/09)
So, after dutifully providing just the right testimony to Corbett, it isn't surprising for CasablancaPA to hear the rampant rumors in Beaver County that the Senator's wife is now being recommended for ARD by Deputy Attorney General Laurel Brandstetter.
Earlier this year, Corbett told the Tribune-Review that "We are really taking a look at how money comes out of the (state) budget and goes into nonprofits." (Tribune-Review 3/26/09)
Then, during a June 10, 2009 PCN call-in program Corbett said, "So many times our investigations, we receive initial information from newspaper accounts, from television accounts and then we start developing witnesses and continue working our way through an investigation."
Since Corbett took office in 2005, there have been multiple reports of shady non-profit dealings all over the state. All of them involving some big fish.
To name a few:
State Rep. Nick Micozzie's Clifton Heights Economic Corp.
Former Representative Gene McGill's Historic Property Preservation Institute
State Rep. John Perzel's Mayfair Community Development Corporation and his 8001 Torresdale Corporation
US Senator Rick Santorum's Operation Good Neighbor
After announcing charges against Mike Veon related to the Beaver Initiative for Growth, Corbett told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette "This is far from a completed investigation."
Corbett is not being truthful.
What he should have said was that "This is far from a completed investigation as long as it doesn't require me to indict any big fish and the splash of the possible indictments keeps me in the news without hurting my fundraising."
Big fish like Rocks and Champ who give big money or are in positions of authority have nothing to fear from Corbett.
When you consider the entirety of Corbett's wide-ranging investigation of the legislature, the same goes for the big fish like Perzel, Sen. Chip Brightbill, Sen. Bob Jubelirer, Mike Long, Brian Preski, DeWeese, Eachus, Rep. Jennifer Mann, Rep. Dan Frankel, Rep. Joe Preston and Stetler.
It is the little fish that Corbett likes to cast his net for and hassle --Darla LaValle, PJ LaValle, Rachel Manzo, Brett Cott, Earl Mosely, Scott and Jennifer Brubaker, Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink, Dan Wiedemer, Karen Steiner, Steve Keefer, Paul Martz, Melissa Lewis, Steve Webb, Eric Webb, David Bliss, Bob Caton, Barb Grill -- they are easier to scare and have no effect or political blowback on the fundraising for his gubernatorial ambitions.
The strangest and most suspicious part is how Corbett has yet to use the little fish as "bait" to get the big fish (other than Veon.)
Arrest Mike Manzo, but not DeWeese?
Arrest Rachel Manzo, but not Eachus?
Grant Dan Wiedemer immunity, but don't arrest Stetler?
Arrest PJ LaValle, but not Keith McCall?
We predict this pattern will continue when Corbett finally gets around to making his "shocking" indictments of Republicans.
When asked by the Gettysburg Times about how his Bonusgate investigation has yet to snag a single Republican, Corbett said “I’m not going to run away from tough decisions." (Gettysburg Times 9/24/09)
We believe Corbett. He hasn't run away from the tough decision on whether or not to conduct an investigation resulting in arresting all the fish. He just made the wrong decision and decided to let all the big fish go.
42 comments:
the big fish - little fish approach with this AG doesn't only apply to his bonusgate debacle. look what he has done to a fantastic Doctor so that he can run around PA during the election and "claim" that he is "tough on crime" - read as "tough on crime...if I don't like you or can benefit politically from my strategic and selective enforcement of the crimes I decide to prosecute so that I look good in the media". Nothing good can come from this man being Governor.
Look at this website – http://www.doctorzweb.com
Or this blog http://inallcandor.com
This guy is out of control.
It is interesting; a few years ago, Governor Ridge needed a favor vote from Senator LaValle for his close friend Tom Corbett.
LaValle refused but is all of a sudden Tom Corbett's new friend as Fumo was sold out, now Veon and Ramley necks are on the chopping block, and the County Of Beaver has 3 Republicans (Vogel, Christina, Marshall) in 3-1 majority vote Democratic County.
It is funny; LaValle's Chief of Staff Matzie is now a legislator too, replacing Ramley.
All around the time Former Senator LaValle testimony to the Grand Jury where conveniently feigned complete ignorance along with Matzie.
Even worse, ALLEGED LaValle was the Ring Leader that made sure Former Beaver County Commissioner lost his Re-Election Bid, and he used Mike Veon's people to do it. More fool Mike Veon these days.
Did you know Senator LaValle qualifies for 5 Pensions:
1. State Teachers Pension
2. County Commissioner Pension
3. Veteran Pension
4. State Senate Pension
5. Wife's United Way Pension
Now would anybody in their right mind ever stay silent if they were danger of losing these Pensions.
Veon & Ramley are cooked gooses if LaValle has to Testify!
Here is the best story that was reported the Newspapers on LaValle:
When Gerry LaValle was a School Teacher, he asked County Commissioners for a job to have more income, they made him a Jail Guard. The only escape from Beaver County Jail was when LaValle was sleeping on Night Shift instead of doing his job. The blamed the Warden and fired him, not LaValle.
Another story is how Gerry LaValle’s son was arrested for drugs, but the District Magistrate Pete Loschiavo took beyond the 180 days to arraign him and he got off on a technicality????
Also, in most of the B.I.G. Real Estate Transactions I read on a post here Gerry’s other son alleged handle many of them for nice commissions. Only Veon knew every thing along with RosePink Peretta now that is just plain out wrong as far as fairness is concern.
LaValle is ready to retire to his Estate in Florida, but if the Commonwealth wanted to get their money back, just go after LaValle's Pensions.
Mike Veon did everything for Beaver County and his Staff was one of best in the business for constituent service and LaValle lived off of Veon & Fumo clout, and now LaValle rewards them with alleged sneaky testimony, so much for friends, so much for betrayal, so much for saving one’s neck for Pension Money too old to spend before you pass away anyway.
I think the Feds are going to read this stuff and start taking a look.
that would be wonderful. this guy is a chump.
I think it's cute that you have a hobby.
It is so easy to condemn but so hard doing your jobs.
Everyone in Harrisburg is sick about these allegations, accusations, charges, and now Trials with more coming sooner not later.
Tom Corbett is a decent man if you ever meet him and come to know him, he is by no means happy about the burden he must carry as Attorney General for the Citizens of Pennsylvania and that goes for his staffers too.
The Defendants are by no means very happy either. Many were just doing the jobs they have always thought they were doing. Sure mistakes were made but the lines are grey more than just black and white.
Others that worked with OAG and HDC, HRC, SRC and SDC feel terrible about what is happening to both the OAG on Accusations, and Defendants on Indictments.
Politics is a zero sum game, someone must win, and the other loses.
Corbett is not playing politics with justice and the Defendants are not hardening criminals with intentions to break laws on purpose.
Defense Attorneys will grow rich off these cases, OAG will find new careers, and some very good people will be hurt by convictions or dismissals.
I wish all could come together correct mistakes, pay back some monies that are ethical violations, and move on to helping Harrisburg be better than ever.
Nevertheless, wishes are not reality and hope is not always realistic either, so everyone will do their jobs, and let everything fall into place.
Years later upon reflection, we will judge one another whether we did the right thing or could have been more kind to do the understanding thing. I hope everyone comes out being satisfied of whom they are, and what they have become, and keep helping others even under such stress, bias, and chaos.
Only the government haters will rejoice in the end, loving good people lose careers, freedom, and a job, thinking that is real progress. Real progress is when we live and work for a better tomorrow. Someday soon!
SOMEDAY SOON
Someday soon a rising wind
Is Gonna carry me away,
To a purpose I can dream of,
It will happen....someday soon
Someday soon the promise painted
On the inside of my eyes
It will show me my direction,
Cut the whole world down to size.
Yes, the promise will come true
Someday soon...
Someday soon there'll be a harbor
And a haven for my soul,
No more weight upon my shoulders.
I'll sail on home
Someday soon I'll be releasing
All the things I've held inside,
Heaven knows I have been patient
But the time is nearly right.
I'll be stretching for the moon
someday soon...
Tomorrow's coming nearer,
It's been tugging at my sleep.
There's a pattern in the jigsaw
If I only just believe.
I will see the whole thing clear
Someday soon...
Someday soon I won't be empty
And my waiting will be through,
There'll be something to believe in,
There will be love
Someday soon I'll have the answer,
Feel it breathing in my hand
And it can't be too much longer
I must try to understand.
There'll be love to see me through
someday soon.......
There is a principle called the domino effect - everything stands together, or it falls together, one after one.
If they take you out of here, they own you. You can't go it alone. We never put all our money on one horse.
Trust no one. No one!
Suppose that we think of the integers lined up like dominoes.
The inductive step tells us that they are close enough for each domino to knock over the next one, the base case tells us that the first domino falls over, the conclusion is that they all fall over.
The fault in this analogy is that it takes time for each domino to fall and so a domino which is a long way along the line won't fall over for a long time.
Indictments and Mathematical implication are outside time.
However, it is an important and popular fact that things are not always as what they seem.
For instance, on the planet earth, man has always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much: the wheel, New York, wars...etc
But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than men; for precisely the same reasons."
We think in generalities, but we live in details. So, get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please.
Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity.
They seem more afraid of life than death.
Finally, the whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows, is it not? Because, Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.
Corbett has a 43% Favorable Rating and 7% Unfavorable and leads all Candidates for Governor by a substantial margin.
I heard Prezele is now a Gerlach backer though, so that could change.
Just how many motorcycles did Eachus, Stetler and DeWeese have paid legislative staff transport to South Dakota?
None.
According to the grand jury presentments, the only one who abused his power to that degree was Mike "Easy Rider" Veon.
Such an abuse of power.
Stop pointing the finger at everyone else. Print the grand jury presentments so we can judge for ourselves whether the attorney general has done a good job with this investigation.
Team Casa says: "We've looked around the country at other public corruption investigations and we can find no other example where a prosecutor has indicted mainly staff people instead of elected officials.
"Zero. None."
Could you cite the cases you're talking about? Three or four would do.
Anonymous 8:03 -- Here it is:
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/uploadedFiles/Press/Harrisburg-Bonus-GJ-Presentment.pdf
An American Historical Fact regarding any aftermath of a political investigation or scandal from Aaron Burr to Boss Tweed to Teapot Dome to Pendergast to Watergate to Iran/Contra to Whitewater.
Elected Officials Resign Or Do Not Run For Re-Election Or Lose The Next Election. Appointed Staff Plead Out Or Go To Jail.
It is not always fair but in the Anals of History and I spelled out that correctly to its meaning, and if you check the history of scandals, it is outright true.
Anonymous 8:10am -- Uh, did you read what we wrote? We can't cite any cases like Corbett's bonusgate because there aren't any.
But, if you want us to list instances where a state legislature was investigated here are a few: Alaska since 2004; Wisconsin earlier this decade and the New York Senate two years ago.
In each case, staff were not the end game...it was the members who called the shots.
Hey, poster from 8:03AM. You must not have the Veon filing from July this year. Pat Grill testified before the grand jury that he made at least one bogus trip for DeWeese to Boston.
Hold on just a minute there, Anonymous 8:03! Did you think we were going to let you renege on the deal you made two weeks ago?
On Sept. 15, in the comments section of our September 9 post, "Inconceivable!" our anonymous friend agreed to certain conditions if we posted the presentments (which we did).
Our anonymous friend has not honored his or her end of the deal. He or she promised to post the sections of the presentments that explain "how Bill DeWeese and Tom Andrews escaped indictment, why Steve Stetler was allowed to ignore a subpoena, why Todd Eachus was never even interviewed, why there appears to be no active investigation of House or Senate Republicans..."
Where are they, Anonymous 8:03?
Anonymous said...Hey, poster from 8:03AM. You must not have the Veon filing from July this year. Pat Grill testified before the grand jury that he made at least one bogus trip for DeWeese to Boston. September 30, 2009 9:18 AM"
Unfortunately, documents and schedules with expenses reports were provided proving it was on Government Business.
Let us not let the truth is changed after unfounded charges are made on CASSY.
Signor Ferrari said...
Hold on just a minute there, Anonymous 8:03! Did you think we were going to let you renege on the deal you made two weeks ago?
On Sept. 15.....Our anonymous friend has not honored his or her end of the deal. He or she promised to post the sections of the presentments that explain "how Bill DeWeese and Tom Andrews escaped indictment, why Steve Stetler was allowed to ignore a subpoena, why Todd Eachus was never even interviewed, why there appears to be no active investigation of House or Senate Republicans..."Where are they, Anonymous 8:03?September 30, 2009 9:48 AM"
I am not the anonymous, but I can answer your questions based on what I read in the Veon Filings:
"The promised to post the sections of the presentments that explain, "How Bill DeWeese and Tom Andrews escaped indictment."
The presentments outline alleged violations of the laws based on documents, investigation interviewing, Grand Jury testimony, Guilty Pleas, Immunity Witneses, and other evidence.
Presentments do not tell the public how someone escapes Indictments. DeWeese admitted mistakes in public and after his own Independent Investigation, but they did not go to the level of others indicted. In fact, the Presentments and Veon Filings actually showed DeWeese was left out of the loop and was not informed what others were doing.
"On why Steve Stetler was allowed to ignore a subpoena."
The Veon Filings actually outlined how the HDCC CIT Computer System was changed after Stetler left from Constituent Service to Political Campaign Support, not on Stetler watch.
"On why Todd Eachus was never even interviewed."
I cannot explain it and only the OAG knows why, so you got me there.
"On why there appears to be no active investigation of House or Senate Republicans."
Once again, I have no evidence on why, but there have been media reports there are Grand Juries still going on as we speak.
"Ugarte said...Anonymous 8:10am -- Uh, did you read what we wrote? We can't cite any cases like Corbett's bonusgate because there aren't any. But, if you want us to list instances where a state legislature was investigated here are a few: Alaska since 2004; Wisconsin earlier this decade and the New York Senate two years ago.
In each case, staff were not the end game...it was the members who called the shots. September 30, 2009 9:16 AM"
Are you saying Mike Manzo was told by Bill DeWeese and Mike Veon and Todd Eachus to hire a Rain Day Queen, have intimidate relations with her, put her up in a free rental Cigar Shop Apartment, and do campaign work a she hid it from his wife and DeWeese Staff and Eachus and Veon?
Looks like to me or that a Staff calling the shots on his own????
Why he pleaded guilty too and now testifies against the Defendants on what shots they called on their own.
"Presentments do not tell the public how someone escapes Indictments"
Which was precisely our response to the anonymous DeWeese sycophant blathering about the presentments.
"Veon Filings actually showed DeWeese was left out of the loop and was not informed what others were doing."
The "Veon filings" show exactly the opposite. We suggest you read them.
"The Veon Filings actually outlined how the HDCC CIT Computer System was changed after Stetler left from Constituent Service to Political Campaign Support, not on Stetler watch."
The testimony that appears to inculpate Mr. Stetler concerns the use of staff for opposition research. Regardless, he ignored a subpoena. Care to explain how he got away with that?
"only the OAG knows why"
Yet none of the Capitol press corps sees fit to question him about it.
"Unfortunately, documents and schedules with expenses reports were provided proving it was on Government Business."
Ooh, tell us more previously-undisclosed details about the secret grand jury investigation! What else do you know that has not yet been made public?
Signor Ferrari said...
"Presentments do not tell the public how someone escapes Indictments Which was precisely our response to the anonymous DeWeese sycophant blathering about the presentments."September 30, 2009 11:41 AM
My Response:
OK, That Is A Fair Response And I Can Accept That One Particular Point.
Your Response:
"Veon Filings actually showed DeWeese was left out of the loop and was not informed what others were doing." The "Veon filings" show exactly the opposite. We suggest you read them."
My Response:
I Did Read Them; There Are Far More And Many Emails, Over Thousands, Which Do Not Include DeWeese Address For The Inner Circle Emails. In Fact, The Veon Filings Actually Show A Small Group Of HDCC Chairs & Staffs Responsible For The Re-Election & Fundraising Of Incumbent Protection Plan And Have Veon, Eachus, And Many Staffers That Were Indicted That Communicated Every Day, NOT DEWEESE. Moreover DEWEESE Produced Travel And Agenda Schedules Showing Where He Was At Many Of The Times You Claim He Was Violating The Campaign Laws. Nevertheless, You Ignore The Counter Evidence.
Your Response:
"The Veon Filings actually outlined how the HDCC CIT Computer System was changed after Stetler left from Constituent Service to Political Campaign Support, not on Stetler watch." The testimony that appears to inculpate Mr. Stetler concerns the use of staff for opposition research. Regardless, he ignored a subpoena. Care to explain how he got away with that?"
My Response:
The Veon Flings Clearly Outlined Grand Jury Testimony On How Everything Became More Aggressive With More Action AFTER STETLER LEFT. IN ADDITION, HOW THE COMPUTER CTS SYSTEM WAS CHANGED AFTER STETLER LEFT. I Am Not His Attorney But If I Was, I Would Have Advised Him To Ignored Such A Subpoena And Explain Why To The OAG And One Can Do That Under The Color Of Law As Well As To Defend Him Or Her Self.
Your Response:
"only the OAG knows why, Yet none of the Capitol press corps sees fit to question him about it.”
My Response:
Stetler Has A Right To Defend Himself From Any Allegations He Sees Fit, But It Would Be Guess, That If Stetler Was Not There When Much Of These Wrong Doings Actually Happen, Why Not Defend Himself As He Is Allow Under Law?
Here Is My Problem With Casblancapa Selection And Nit Pickings That I Defend In Most Cases, But Find Unacceptable When Finger Pointing At Others Without Telling The Whole Truth.
Casablancapa Has Cleverly Chosen Only A Few Aspects Of The Presentments Claiming Unfairness And Have Ignored Explaining Most Of The Allegations Of Their Wrong Doing Because It Could Be Used Against Them At Trail. (This Is Understandable And All Defendants Have A Right To Defend Themselves As They See Fit, And Remain Silent As Advised By Their Attorneys.)
However, The Veon Filings Have Actually Exonerated Many Of The Lawmakers Attacked On Casablancapa. As Well As, Reveal That Not Everything Every Other Staffers Or Lawmakers Did Rose To The Level Of Violations In Both Numbers And Misdeeds. Just Because One Staffer Used A State Phone Once To Make A Personal Call About A Campaign Is Not The Same When Other Staffers Did It Thousands Of Times And Actually Caused Those Other Staffers And Lawmakers To Respond To Casablancapa Staffers’ Phone Calls, Emails, And Actions.
I Realize It May Look Unfair But Until We See All The Evidence At Trial It Will Be Difficult To Accuse, Others Of Crimes Casablancapa Posters Are Saying Were Not Crimes Here At Casblancapa?
However, Many Choose Here Just To Be Stubborn And Then Complain When They See What They Feel Is Treatment Otherwise, But Never Measure The Exact Details That Tell A Different Story.
Furthermore, It Is Tough To Attack The OAG Until All Investigations Are Also Announced But Casablancapa Does That Too Every Day.
Thus, I Have No Problem With Casablancapa Pointing All These Things Out, But There Is More Evidence Of Exonerations Of Other Lawmakers And Staffers You Leave Out As Well, From The Veon Filings And Presentments.
"Signor Ferrari said..."Unfortunately, documents and schedules with expenses reports were provided proving it was on Government Business." Ooh, tell us more previously-undisclosed details about the secret grand jury investigation! What else do you know that has not yet been made public? September 30, 2009 12:00 PM"
I know what I have read, been told, and how DeWeese did the right thing upon learning about actions taken by Staffers in his own office an ddi something about it, properly, legally, and with leadership.
I know what I read in the Veon Filings and how they do not add up to crimes as claimed, and what was left off from the papers he submitted by seeing gaps in his submissions. The Judge concluded such filings were not objective and were rejected.
We still have not heard if the Motorcycles were ever explained by Veon in any press clippings or here on Casblancapa?
Casablancapa, The OAG, Corbett, All Caucuses And All Lawmakers And Staffers Should Pursue Cooperation To Separate Ethical Violations That Can Be Repaid To The Treasury From Crimes That Can Be Reduced In Plead Negotiations And Expunged Upon Compliance With Any Agreements.
Instead Of Seeking Ways To Cooperate To Resolve Unfair Accusations Casablancapa Choose To Escalate Accusations. On Top Of That, They Seek To Keep Calling Tom Corbett A Hypocrite When Everyday Our Own Mistakes Often Makes Us Look Like Hypocrites.
Tom Corbett Is Not Happy About What He Has To Investigate As AG, But At The Same Time He Has To Investigate It Anyway Because It Is His Duty And If He Did Otherwise He Would Be A Hypocrite In Every Sense Of The Word.
One thing is for certain, this website will shut down sometime in february.
Yep, come February it won't be surprising if Signor Ferrari and Ugarte are reduced to blogging about how the warden is partisan for giving the inmates in Cell Block B more yard time than those in Cell Block A.
Thanks for the link. The objective of any criminal investigation is to nail the ringleaders, which can include the janitor if he or she is culpable. It's a cop-out to say that only elected officials can or should be charged for wrongdoing.
Page two of the Harrisburg grand jury presentment should be required reading for anyone trying to judge the job done by the attorney general. It says:
"From 1998 to the end of 2006, former representative Mike Veon was the minority whip for the House Democratic caucus. As minority whip, Veon had very large stafs both in his district and in Harrisburg. His Harrisburg staff fluctuated between 15 and 20 employees and his district office staff varied between 12 and 16. Many of these former staffers/employees provided sworn testimony before the Grand Jury, wherein they described a consistent culture of employing taxpayer funding and resources for campaign purposes.
"Campaign work was simply expected as part of one's employemnt on Veon's staff. Veon had kindred spirits in individuals employed as de facto chiefs of staff in his district and Harrisburg offices, Anna Marie Perretta-Rosepink and Jeff Foreman, respectively.
"Similarly, Veon employed on his Harrisburg staf, an individual named Brett Cott as a policy analyst, but who, according to numerous witnesses, was hired because of his campaign prowes, and who served as one of the lead promoters of this culture.
"Another adherent to this culture was Michael Manzo, cheif of staff to the Minority Leader of the House Democratic Caucus, who acted directly in concert with Veon's illegal use of taxpayer funds and resources.
"In 2004, Veon and Manzo directed a Caucus employee by the name of Eric Webb to create and maintain a list of all House Democratic Caucus employees who assist on political and campaign work. He was directed to track not only campaign work performed by 'volunteers' in the field, but, to track all manner of campaign work, as directed by Veon, Manzo and others. Webb was directed to not only classify the tyuep of work performed, but to monitor and critique the efforts and time commited by Caucus employees."
How fascinating that a document written to justify the arrests of the defendants should be critical of the defendants!
There is no dearth of resources dedicated to determining the guilt or innocence of those who are charged. Tom Corbett will have ample opportunity to try to prove his case, such as it is.
This blog, however, is dedicated to the numerous unanswered questions about the investigation - chief among them why Corbett ignored evidence of misdeeds much more serious than than the accusations against the accused.
Nothing in Corbett's accusations against those he did arrest will answer those questions.
I don't know what is funnier. Brett & Mike fishing for insider info on who the rat is, or the guy who thinks a "blue ribbon panel" will somehow make all of this go away.
The one argument we don't here is "these charges are false".
Enjoy jail.
What rat? I think all the rats are pretty much identified.
The grand jury presentment says: "In 2004, Veon and Manzo directed a Caucus employee by the name of Eric Webb to create and maintain a list of all House Democratic Caucus employees who assist on political and campaign work."
Why on earth would the attorney general charge McCall, Eachus, DeWeese or anyone else for misdeeds allegedly carried out by Veon and Manzo?
Corbett' criminal investigation is and must be supported by solid testimony/evidence. Unlike your blog, which is supported by speculation, a desire for revenge and the loose cobbling together of select facts.
The "misdeeds" (if that is how you care to characterize them) of Eachus, Stetler and especially DeWeese are well-documented in the evidence Corbett provided to the defendants.
One Cannot Eat Minnows And Have A Full Belly, But One Catch Bigger Fish With Minnows, And Have Fish To Sale.
The Little Fish Have Caught The Big Fish!
LaGrotta Was Caught On His Own Relatives Bate; His Minnow Staffers Led Them To The OAG Stream.
The Same Can Be Said For All The HDCC Employees That Had To Cringe When Tom Foreman Came Around Demanding Campaign Time.
Minnows Are Usually Bate, But They Run In Schools For Protection. The OAG Protected Them From Bigger Fish That Sought More Than They Could Demand Of The Employees And Treasury.
Now The Voters Will Decide How Big Of Catch It Was After Jurors Decide To Throw Them Back Or Put Them In A Bucket For Awhile!
THE LAW OF BIG FISH LITTLE FISH!
"Signor Ferrari said...
The "misdeeds" (if that is how you care to characterize them) of Eachus, Stetler and especially DeWeese are well-documented in the evidence Corbett provided to the defendants. October 1, 2009 9:01 AM"
One big problem is that most of these misdeeds came from your emails to them and others but you overlook your initiation of their participations.
Moreover, many of the lawmakers did not even see those emails, according to the Guilty Plead Defendants that provided information against you.
As someone said if you point fingers they come right back at you.
I feel you committed ethical violations far more than illegal, but as you accuse others here, you actually are hanging yourself...
"Anonymous said...
I don't know what is funnier. Brett & Mike fishing for insider info on who the rat is, or the guy who thinks a "blue ribbon panel" will somehow make all of this go away. September 30, 2009 11:48 PM"
My Blue Ribbon Panel will not make it all go away, just find out what happen, return all bonus money, reveal many thought they were doing their jobs not with criminal intent to defraud Taxpayers, and is a far less expensive method of getting to the truth, updating election laws with new technology considerations, and less costly than OAG trials that will spend more than they recover, and FAIRNESS TO ALL BEFORE ANY JAIL.
"Signor Ferrari said...
How fascinating that a document written to justify the arrests of the defendants should be critical of the defendants! There is no dearth of resources dedicated to determining the guilt or innocence of those who are charged. Tom Corbett will have ample opportunity to try to prove his case, such as it is. This blog, however, is dedicated to the numerous unanswered questions about the investigation - chief among them why Corbett ignored evidence of misdeeds much more serious than than the accusations against the accused. Nothing in Corbett's accusations against those he did arrest will answer those questions. September 30, 2009 9:21 PM"
The questions will be answered at trial by Guilty Pleaders, State Immunity Witnesses, Old Employees, and Friends more interested in saving themselves than you.
Furthermore, some CasablancaPA Posters may plead out too, and then all questions will be answered.
One reason why I advocate admissions to ethical violations over charges without criminal intent, and this is what we should be publishing, not finger pointing when fingers will come back on you.
Even if we fail, we may win big on Appeals in the end.
However, no one is listening!
What does Deputy Assistant District Attorneys David A. Feiss and Kurt Benkley know and when did they know it?
J\COMPLAINTS2002\CHVALA,CHARLES,DAF.DOC
The Justice Feeding Chain
Where there are worms there is dirt, where there is dirt there is poop, where there are fish that eat worms, there are dinners at capitol diners, where there are fish being thrown out, there are rats.
And everywhere there is pork the only white meat, thats all folks..Porcus Pigth
Why can't Thornburgh get some new glasses?
Those must be 40 years old, well that is what happens when you have blind ambitions.
Anonymous said...What does Deputy Assistant District Attorneys David A. Feiss and Kurt Benkley know and when did they know it? J\COMPLAINTS2002\CHVALA,CHARLES,DAF.DOC October 5, 2009 11:03 PM"
Sorry, I read it, and there is nothing there that has to do with anything on Bonusgate.
Get a better link so you can think!
"Anonymous said...
The Justice Feeding Chain Where there are worms there is dirt, where there is dirt there is poop, where there are fish that eat worms, there are dinners at capitol diners, where there are fish being thrown out, there are rats. And everywhere there is pork the only white meat, thats all folks..Porcus Pigth October 6, 2009 12:16 AM"
Porky Pig was pink not white, lets support breast cancer month not mock a stutter that went off to slaughter by Elmer Funds.
Shame on you bullying an innocent Pig.
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