The Philadelphia Daily News today reports that Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Corbett and his taxpayer-funded campaign manager met privately with Rep. John Perzel, while Perzel allegedly was under investigation, and Perzel's former chief of staff, Brian Preski, organized a fund raiser for Corbett two months later.
Corbett is expected to announce indictments of both Perzel and Preski later today.
Since when was it part of Perzel's "official duties" to brief the Attorney General about "computer software that could be used to track registered sex offenders?"
"Hello, Attorney General's Office. How may I help you?"
"Hi, I'm calling from Representative John Perzel's office. We'd like to meet with Attorney General Tom Corbett to tell him about some exciting new software that can help track registered sex offenders."
"John Perzel? Aren't you currently under investigation by our office?"
"Yepper! How's October 2 at the Hilton?"
"Sounds good. Don't bring your lawyer. See you then."
Wonder if the career prosecutors on whom Corbett relies to keep him honest were aware of the meeting?
The only question we have about Preski's fund raiser for Corbett is whether Preski raised enough to keep from getting indicted.
Guess we'll find out later today!
21 comments:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED KUDO'D TO TEAM CASA!
Perzel, 9 others charged in state House GOP corruption
Thursday, November 12, 2009
By Dennis B. Roddy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
HARRISBURG -- A statewide grand jury has accused former Pennsylvania Speaker of the House John Perzel in a wide-ranging corruption probe that started with the House Democrats and today crossed the aisle to include the Republicans.
Mr. Perzel was charged with nine counts in connection with a series of computer service contracts totaling more than $9 million in taxpayer funds.
Attorney General Tom Corbett said that while the taxpayer-funded contracts ostensibly were for House members' official duties, much of the data eventually found its way into campaign data banks for incumbent legislators.
Charged with Mr. Perzel, who represents part of Philadelphia, was his former chief-of-staff, Brian Preski and former state Rep. Brett Feese, who served as the highest paid House employee.
In all, 10 people were charged with counts ranging form theft to obstruction of justice to criminal conspiracy in the case.
The grand jury found that the scheme apparently began after Mr. Perzel narrowly won re-election in 2000. After that, prosecutors said, he vowed to keep a campaign office in operation year-round.
That was when he hired his brother-in-law, Samuel "Buzz" Stokes, to be in charge of the year-round campaign position. Another defendant, Don McClintock, of Voorhees, N.J., was placed in charge of the office.
In some instances, the grand jurors found that Mr. Perzel's operation included attack-style "robo calls" against some of his own members on a dozen occasions.
Grand jurors also said Mr. Perzel used House staff members to perform campaign fundraising during work hours, sometimes using government computers.
One staff member in Mr. Perzel's Philadelphia office told the grand jurors "fundraising was made part of my job."
Charges against Mr. Feese center on obstruction of justice allegations.
On Feb. 26, 2008, state agents served a subpoena for any Perzel records reflecting campaign work by state employees.
Mr. Feese, Mr. Perzel and two other aides are alleged to have snaked the boxes out of the state Capitol building.
Mr. Feese also is accused of concocting notes on an in-house investigation by the Republican leadership that purport to show that he knew nothing about the plot when, in fact, he was a participant.
Mr. Corbett, in announcing the charges today, said the Perzel scheme that utilized taxpayer-funded technology was known as the "Blue Card" program.
Among the charges against Mr. Perzel was placing his brother-in-law, Mr. Stokes, on the caucus payroll when grand jurors found that Mr. Stokes worked exclusively for Mr. Perzel's campaign.
Over a six-year period that Mr. Perzel headed the House Republican caucus, Mr. Stokes was paid more than $196,000 in taxpayer funds while doing only campaign work.
The major theft allegations against Mr. Perzel and several of the others, center on House Republican caucus contracts with two database firms: Aristotle International, of Washington, D.C., and GCR and Associates of New Orleans.
Jurors said that the databases were used extensively for campaign purposes.
"One of the largest and most successful of the campaign programs produced by GCR was called 'Candidate Connect,'" which Mr. Corbett said was the brain-child of Elmer "Al" Bowman, an aide to Mr. Feese and a regular spokesman for the House Republican Campaign Committee.
The project, Mr. Corbett said, was exclusively political.
Perzel's attorney, Walter Cohen, told the Daily News that Perzel recalls that "several matters were discussed but he is not prepared to discuss it with you at this time."
Cohen, a former attorney general, said that it was up to Corbett to say whether the meeting with Perzel was appropriate.
"John Perzel met with anybody who wanted to meet with him - government officials, constituents, private citizens, lobbyists, lawyers - and felt all that was appropriate," Cohen said.
HHHMMMMNNNN........AND WE THOUGHT THIS ONLY STARTED WITH DEMOCRATS IN 2004 BUT LOOKS LIKE REPUBLICANS STARTED ON NEW CENTURY NEW YEAR'S DAY 2000?????
Mr. Perzel issued a statement before Mr.Corbet's news conference was over denying the charges.
"First and foremost, I am innocent of the charges against me," the statement said. "I have faithfully served the people of my district, my city and my state for more than 30 years, and I have never used public funds for my personal or political gain.
"Second, this investigation has lasted for nearly three years, and it's only now, on the eve of his gubernatorial campaign and in response to claims that he was unfairly pursuing only Democrats, that Attorney General Corbett has decided to bring charges against 10Republicans, including me.
It smacks of political opportunism at the expense of my reputation, and I am going to fight very aggressively to prove my innocence."
Asked about Mr. Perzel's statement accusing him of using the prosecution to boost his gubernatorial bid, Mr. Corbett flatly refused to respond.
"Why should I?" he declared.
The grand jury found that the scheme apparently began after Mr. Perzel narrowly won re-election in 2000.
After that, prosecutors said, he vowed to keep a campaign office in operation year-round.
That was when he hired his brother-in-law, Samuel "Buzz" Stokes, to be in charge of the year-round campaign position. Another defendant, Don McClintock, of Voorhees, N.J., was placed in charge of the office.
Damn, it is going to be a smaller PerP Walk and very unfair, only 10 Republicans compare to 13 Democrats!
VIVA VEON!
Posted 09:31 AM, 11/12/2009
John Law
Corbett has knowingly and repeatedly betrayed sacred public trust by repeatedly refusing to investigate "The Rendell Murders" (Rendell's releasing stone thugs back into our neighborHOODs for years, to save state budget funds for "No Bid" Contracts and $60 MILLION in other contracts Rendell's own Auditor General repeatedly and publicly denounces him on).
Corbett was told in writing, with evidence for well over 18 months now...murder victim after murder victim...destroyed family after destroyed family and he's repeatedly betrayed us.
Please remember his betrayal each time the next "Newsworthy Parolee Murder Victim(s)" is announced...like the PIAZZA MURDERS or Joe Frazier's Kin or that mother of 4 children or that poor 11 year old rape victim or Burgess, the Serial Killer and Rapist, and this is just within the last year! For every State Parolee crime that makes the papers, 100 don't.
Parole Board Chairman McVey has even repeatedly refused to provide documentation to State Auditors on the overwhelming Caseload Numbers to hide her and Rendell's crimes. Killadelphia has 1/6th the population, but 6 times the crime of New York.
We have 49,000 Probationers and over 9,000 convicted Murders, Armed Robbers, Drug Dealers, Rapists = State Parolees! and over 500 Escapees! Rendell is releasing 2,000 Prison Inmates per MONTH! Corbett was told, in writting, with evidence and he's done nothing. He won’t even investigate crimes within the Parole Board!
He's riding the flow of blood into the Governor's Mansion! He's repeatedly betrayed his position as Attorney General and has helped Rendell turn Philadelphia into Kiladelphia...the largest Open Air Prison in America and 1st in the Nation in COP KILLINGS...
Corbett is not worthy to run for Governor. The next Newsworthy State Parolee Murder is certain and soon. Give these numbers a call...U.S. Attorney's Office = 215-861-8200, the President's Comment Line = 202-456-1111. The life and family you save, may well be your own.
Posted 11:36 AM, 11/12/2009
John Law
Why is this person being allowed to use the job he's repeatedly failed at to get the job he's not qualified for? It looks like this "Bonus Gate" affair and the pace of it's prosecution are being timed to help get Corbett free press for his election bid for Governor. We're paying for him and his staff to run for Governor...and then if he fails, he's still drawing a pay check, etc as a lame State's Attorney General! Why are we and our legislature letting him to get away with that? What about the Parole Board Corruption he's been told about, with evidence, for years now? What about the "Rendell Murders"? What about his repeated betrayal of public trust?
Who investigates the Attorney General? Who does he answer to... by his own repeated lack of action... it's not the good, decent families of Pennsylvania! Why isn't the U.S. Attorney General (Eric Holder) investigating Tom Corbett!?
http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20091112_Corbett_guv_run_tainted_by_conflict_of_interest_charges_.html
The Republicans make Mike Veon charges look like kids play in range, scope, and misuse of public funds. Mike Veon should walk compared to these charges!
WHY WE NOW KNOW THAT DEWEESE DID THE RIGHT THING UNLIKE THE REPUBLICANS.....
Obstruction of Justice: Perzel's Missing Boxes
As was previously stated, Corbett said that agents and prosecutors from the Attorney General's Office encountered numerous impediments and obstacles created by the defendants and others during the course of this investigation with respect to records and information. One such incident, which can be revealed at this time, occurred in late February 2008.
Corbett said that on Feb. 26, 2008, the grand jury served a series of subpoenas upon the House Republican Caucus seeking an array of information related to this investigation. The caucus was ordered to produce "any and all evidence of campaign work" and listed a number of employees who may have performed the campaign work.
Two days later, Corbett said, an employee of the Pennsylvania Legislature came to the Attorney General's Office and stated that boxes containing campaign materials were being removed from room B-02, a basement storage room assigned to Perzel in the Capitol Complex.
After further investigation, Corbett said a grand jury subpoena was issued the next day, February 29, ordering the immediate production of any and all documents or materials removed from the storage room on February 26 or during the prior 60 days. It also ordered the disclosure of the location of any and all materials removed from the room.
Corbett said on evening of February 29, an agent and a prosecutor from the Attorney General's Public Corruption Unit went to the Capitol Complex and inspected numerous boxes that reportedly had been removed from the storage room. They were escorted by Capitol security officers, attorneys for the Republican Caucus and Perzel's staff members John Zimmerman and Paul Towhey.
When questioned by the Attorney General's Office that evening, Zimmerman and Towhey, denied any knowledge of boxes containing campaign material being removed from the storage room.
Corbett said a subsequent investigation by agents found that the boxes containing evidence of campaign work performed by public employees had in fact been removed from the storage room on and before February 26.
CONTINUED BELOW......
Corbett said that testimony of caucus messengers, which is corroborated by Capitol security video footage, confirm that two cart loads of boxes were transferred from the storage room to Perzel's office suite located in the Main Capitol Building.
The grand jury found that prior to February 29, Perzel's secretary had twice gone to the storage room and examined the materials and told Towhey, who was then Perzel's chief of staff, of the existence of campaign materials. Towhey ordered her to have the materials transferred to Perzel's office suite and then to move the campaign materials and evidence of campaign work out of Perzel's suite to the House Republican Campaign Committee offices, which are located across the street from the Capitol Complex.
On February 27, the boxes were transferred by messenger to the HRCC office, which was confirmed by testimony of the messenger who delivered the boxes, messenger logs and testimony of the Executive Secretary of the HRCC, who received the boxes.
The HRCC Executive Secretary also testified that a few days after the boxes arrived, she received a call from Feese, who asked her if boxes from Perzel's office had been delivered a few days before.
The grand jury reviewed Towhey's phone records for the week of February 25 for the times pertinent to the hiding of campaign materials, including the time of the service of the subpoena and the inspection by the Attorney General's Office. Towhey's phone records indicate that during this time he was in frequent telephone contact with Perzel, Feese, Zimmerman and Perzel's secretary.
The grand jury found that Perzel, Feese, Towhey and Zimmerman engaged in obstructing the investigation and hindering prosecution by the removal of evidence, the hiding of evidence and/or the failure to disclose the existence and location of evidence.
DEWEESE DID THE RIGHT THING BY NOT TRYING A COVER UP, OAG WOULD HAVE TAKEN IT ANYWAY!
OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE SELDOM LOSES AT TRIAL!
Tom Corbett and his Staff came through as promised, it did take a long time, but the evidence against the Republicans cannot be ignored and will be hard to defend.
No matter how anyone spins it, the big problem was the HRCC and HDCC instead of doing campaigning with funds raised by Lobbyists which is legal, did it with commonwealth funds and employed people to do just that raise private campaign funds with public money.
Fumo down on 137 counts and out of the game except wearing another state issue, Ramely on deck waiting his turn to defend himself, Veon in warm up mode watching and waiting, and Perzel in the dug out choosing his own bat on how he plans to hit away and hit back.
Very good people and great Lawmakers, but the game is still in play for some, and I hope others can see how easy it is to be charged with crimes even if you worked after hours on your own time.
I hope the Appeal Process is fair in all cases.
Charges that House Republicans diverted $20 million of taxpayer money for computer programs designed to help them with campaigning and winning elections? Charges of obstruction of justice against House Republicans for trying to cover their tracks?
This should indeed "shock the conscience" of anyone. The attorney general has validated the statement he made months ago.
Unless Team Casa's conscience is not shocked,they should issue an apology to Corbett for repeatedly mocking his words.
I think that "Sanctimonious Sam" Smith, who had so much to say when House Democrats were charged, has some serious explaining to do on how his caucus spent $20 million on what the attorney general says were illegal computer contracts.
Wouldn't Smith's signature have had to be on those contracts when he was minority/majority leader of the House?
OK, I am shocked....
Shocked that Bill DeWeese wasn't charged when he so clearly knew about the bonuses; so now DeWeese brags to his colleagues he's "free and clear."
If DeWeese's escape was based on immunity, than I'm shocked that the investigation moved from the most responsible...Deweese, the Speaker and Leader...to get the staff.
And shocked that the campaign manager for Gerlach says he was just one of a hundred GOP staffers given immunity for doing campaign work on state time...for which apparently no one (at least not on the GOP side) was indicted.
"Anonymous said...Damn, it is going to be a smaller PerP Walk and very unfair, only 10 Republicans compare to 13 Democrats! VIVA VEON!November 12, 2009 2:11 PM"
The "PERP WALKS WITH HANDCUFFS" were justified by saying all people under the law are treated the same.
Sorry, but if you have one ounce of compassion to know how tough it is to be brought before any court accused of crimes and you are not a violent person that committed a violent crime, this embarrassment is and hurtful actions is no longer necessary especially for former and current Lawmakers.
It only makes a few Government Hater's feel good, causes even more public ridicule towards public service, and demoralizes the voter to vote, the exact opposite you think you are doing with such Perp Walks, and it damages others in ways that is no longer justified.
In the coming years, upon reflection, the OAG will privately admit that was wrong. The Lawmakers should change the Law so it is a discretionary things based upon the Arresting Officers District Magistrate for all citizens in the future.
The Democrats did not deserve it and neither do the Republicans or anyone else.
"Anonymous said...Charges that House Republicans diverted $20 million of taxpayer money for computer programs designed to help them with campaigning and winning elections? Charges of obstruction of justice against House Republicans for trying to cover their tracks?
This should indeed "shock the conscience" of anyone. The attorney general has validated the statement he made months ago.
Unless Team Casa's conscience is not shocked,they should issue an apology to Corbett for repeatedly mocking his words. November 13, 2009 8:46 AM"
Read below how you can see the problem, the Employees of the OAG and the Employees of HDCC, HRCC, SDCC, SRCC, all are in the same dilemma, in a strange way.
Let's see.....HYPOCRISY means, The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess.
An act or instance of such falseness the practice of professing standards, beliefs, contrary to one's real character or actual behaviour.
The pretence other condition of a person pretending to be something he is not, especially in the area of morals or religion.
A false presentation of belief or feelingg virtue and pietyan expression of agreement that is not supported by real conviction
Known by other descriptions as lip service, dissembling, feigning, pretense, pretending with intention to deceive,
crocodile tears, hypocritical display of sorrow, false or insincere weeping.
"Politicians shed crocodile tears over the plight of the unemployed"
Insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not really have
insincerity, falseness, hollowness.
The quality of not being open or truthful, deceitful or hypocritical
sanctimoniousness, sanctimony.
The quality of being hypocritically devout
smarminess, unctuousness, unction, fulsomeness, oiliness, oleaginousness, smug self-serving earnestness.
He Or She Without Sin Can Cast The First Stone.
AG Tom Corbett did not bring this investigation upon himself, it came from employees, staffers, and others upset with the unfairness going on in the HDCC, HRCC, SDCC, and SRCC towards favoring some and scolding others, and giving out Public Money based on whom were dating, married to, and living with and berating others that did not want to campaign on state time.
If you respect, enjoy, and love Public Service and Elected Leaders you know this whole episode just sickens your heart, and that means caring about some mighty fine people that did not intend to break any laws.
"Remember This:
If You Work For A Man, In Heaven's Name, Work For Him. If He Pays You Wages Which Supply You Bread And Butter, Work For Him; Speak Well Of Him; Stand By The Institution He Represents.
If Put To A Pinch, An Ounce Of Loyalty Is Worth A Pound Of Cleverness.
If You Must Vilify, Condemn And Eternally Disparage - Resign Your Position, And When You Are On The Outside, Damn To Your Heart's Content, But As Long As You Are Part Of The Institution Do Not Condemn It."
- Elbert Hubbard
"Anonymous said...I think that "Sanctimonious Sam" Smith, who had so much to say when House Democrats were charged, has some serious explaining to do on how his caucus spent $20 million on what the attorney general says were illegal computer contracts.
Wouldn't Smith's signature have had to be on those contracts when he was minority/majority leader of the House? November 13, 2009 8:49 AM"
Shoe Meet Mouth, When the fox preaches, look to your geese.
When you say that you agree to a thing in principle, you mean that you have not the slightest intention of carrying it out.
There is luxury in self-reproach. When we blame ourselves we feel that no one else has the right to blame us.
Finally, I hope you have not been leading a double life, pretending to be wicked and being really good all the time. That would be hypocrisy.
"Anonymous said...OK, I am shocked....Shocked that Bill DeWeese wasn't charged when he so clearly knew about the bonuses; so now DeWeese brags to his colleagues he's "free and clear."
If DeWeese's escape was based on immunity, than I'm shocked that the investigation moved from the most responsible...Deweese, the Speaker and Leader...to get the staff. And shocked that the campaign manager for Gerlach says he was just one of a hundred GOP staffers given immunity for doing campaign work on state time...for which apparently no one (at least not on the GOP side) was indicted.
November 13, 2009 12:07 PM"
Quit shocking yourself and start to enlighten yourself on the Grand Juries Facts, Testimonies, and Presentments.
Quit looking to blame one man for actions done by over 20 people while keeping things rom others.
Quit mocking yourself, when you now can see both Political Parties had some people working on Campaigns on State Time.
I have never read or heard anywhere how anyone is happy what happen.
Everyone in Harrisburg from Tom Corbett, to Mike Veon, to John Perzel, to Brett Cott, to Jill Seaman, to Judges, to Employees, dislike what happen, is happening, and wishes it never happens again.
Bill DeWeese did the right thing in all fairness and no one brags about anything regarding this investigation.
No one, including DeWeese, the Governor, Staffs, or OAG’s employees.
All people in Harrisburg or Public Service are part of the whole called by us the political universe, a part limited in time and space to pass laws, protect the public, and promote prosperity.
They all have experiences within themselves, their thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of visual illusion of the consciousness.
This illusion is a kind of penitentiary for us, restricting us to our individual wishes and to friendliness for a few persons nearest to us.
Our undertaking must be to free ourselves from this penitentiary by widening our sphere of compassion to embrace all living things and the whole of nature in its beauty.
It is sort of like a spiritual person who holds God and People in one reflection at one time, at all times, who suffers harm done to others, whose greatest passion is compassion, whose greatest strength is love and defiance of despair.
Shocking yourself has made you deaf, blind, and dumb listening to rumors!
Have compassion for the situation and our government in this time of peril, wisked on no one by anyone!
All you need to know about Bill DeWeese's character is that he called the day his friends and colleagues' lives were destroyed "the greatest day of my life."
"Anonymous said...All you need to know about Bill DeWeese's character is that he called the day his friends and colleagues' lives were destroyed "the greatest day of my life." November 14, 2009 10:08 AM"
I never read anything like that being said anywhere at anytime, if you can post a Newspaper Article or something like that, I would appreciate it.
All I know is what I read here and elsewhere, and many that have been caught in lies, have been blaming everything on only one person, and I know from what I read that cannot be true!
The ones that decided to tell the truth and pleaded guilty have admitted their participation and are now set up to testify under oath against the rests?
Some are very distressed, that DeWeese did the right thing. When DeWeese told all his employees in the HDC to cooperate and tell the truth, I can see why some might be unhappy, as others tried to hide things as seen in the Grand Jury Findings
The many half-lies I read here never sustain themselves over time and the post are there to re-read.
Anonymous 10:31 -- Here is the story where DeWeese calls the downfall of his friends the greatest day of his life. You are defending a horrible human being. A horrible, cowardly, worthless human. I can't believe he was ever a Marine...he's a disgrace to the uniform.
7/18/08 Capitolwire
OFF THE FLOOR: Grand jury report 'one of the best days of my life!' DeWeese said.
OFF THE FLOOR
A Capitolwire Column
By Peter L. DeCoursey
Bureau Chief
Capitolwire
HARRISBURG (July 18) – “One of the best days of my life!”?
That wasn’t the way any Democrat in Harrisburg thought of July 10. That is the day when Attorney General Tom Corbett said former House Minority Whip Mike Veon, D-Beaver, faced more than 50 felony charges for creating a culture that a grand jury said misused millions of taxpayer dollars for campaign work and personal gain.
That was the day Rep. Sean Ramaley, D-Beaver, the heavy favorite to win a state Senate seat this fall, was also charged with using his staff job in 2004 for Veon to campaign for office on a taxpayer salary. And that was the day 10 top former or suspended House staffers, from former caucus chief of staff Mike Manzo on down, were charged with felony after felony after felony.
So when it came time that day for a conference call among the House Democratic leaders, what did House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Greene, say?
Two of his fellow caucus leaders recall him exulting that the release of the grand jury report was "One of the best days of my life! One of the best days of my [expletive-deleted] life!"
Others say he said on that conference call that it was “One of the greatest days of my life! One of the best days of my [expletive-deleted] life!”
Either way, they agree they were stunned and appalled. Two used the word "disgusted."
But it wasn’t the profanity - all agree he used the gerund form of the word that refers to the initial procreative act - that stunned several of DeWeese’s fellow House Democratic leaders. It was his obvious, buoyant joy and ebullience.
One leader said: “He was like a kid on Christmas who got the toy he has been wishing and waiting for feeling."
Another leader still sounded appalled and stunned talking about it days later: “He was so happy, and we are sitting with a caucus where a bomb just went off, and our public perception is awful, and he says, ‘It’s one of the greatest days of his life'?”
...others tried to hide things as seen in the Grand Jury Findings..."
Well, then, Anonymous 10:08 - now that your request for corroboration has been granted, how about you follow suit?
Please post for us the passage in the presentment which shows anyone tried to hide anything from Mr. "U R Welcome" DeWeese.
No such evidence exists.
"Signor Ferrari said...
...others tried to hide things as seen in the Grand Jury Findings... "Well, then, Anonymous 10:08 - now that your request for corroboration has been granted, how about you follow suit? Please post for us the passage in the presentment which shows anyone tried to hide anything from Mr. "U R Welcome" DeWeese. No such evidence exists. November 14, 2009 2:07 PM
Sure, I will go through the Presentments, cite word by word, and page numbers.
They will prove you wrong, and I understand you will not be able to respond in kind, upon advice from counsel in fear you will implicate yourself.
You will just run away like before when caught lying about others, as you demand the truth from others, and you will not give it yourself.
It will not be pretty either and one reason you are under charges.
I had a friend once that demanded I prove there is global warming, and then I ask him his own question, for him to prove there is no Global Warming.
He could not respond, and neither will you on the things hidden from others as noted in the Presentments and Veon Papers.
Such evidence does exist and why you are under charges?
Yet, I still feel you have been treated unfairly too, and why I defend DeWeese and other Lawmakers or Staffers when it happens to them!
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