Well, now. Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Corbett's star witness against Sean Ramaley (and presumably against the rest of Veon and Co.) is an admitted liar and perjurer.
Mr. Webb testified yesterday in the first day of Mr. Ramaley's trial on six counts of conspiracy and theft and admitted he had told some lies while under oath before a state investigative grand jury in September 2007.
"I was untruthful," he said. "I made the biggest mistake of my life."
He didn't return to the grand jury to change his story until April 2008. What happened after September 2007 that might have influenced Webb's recollection of events?
Corbett granted someone secret immunity in October 2007.
Then-leader H. William DeWeese turned over to Corbett a cache of carefully-selected documents implicating several hand-picked scapegoats.
Most of those hand-picked scapegoats were fired with great fanfare in November 2007.
Furthermore, Webb, like most of Corbett's witnesses, is represented by a lawyer who was paid with caucus funds at DeWeese's direction.
Pre-secret immunity deal: Webb has nothing to say. Post-secret immunity deal: Webb, armed with a DeWeese-selected lawyer and the spectacle of his former colleagues' public humiliation, becomes a veritable font of information against DeWeese's chosen scapegoats.
We're sure it's coincidental.
70 comments:
Still, Webb seemed to be doing the bidding of Veon, Ramaley, and Cott as he was hand picked to handle the Campaigns.
If Webb was part of their team, were they not part of his duty to listen to their commands?
I do not see how this helps Ramaley in the least, does anyone else fell that way?
If Webb committed crimes as Ramaley's Lawyers said, they all committed crimes since Webb was working for them, funded by their authority, and told what to do.
To Anonymous 9:32
You need to pay attention to the testimony. Webb was the one with the authority by his own admission!
Anonymous said... To Anonymous 9:32
You need to pay attention to the testimony. Webb was the one with the authority by his own admission!
December 5, 2009 9:38 PM"
SO, LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT, WEBB WAS RUNNING EVERYTHING AT THE HDCC AND ONLY HE BROKE THE LAWS, THAT TEAM CASA SAID WAS NEVER BROKEN ARE PREVIOUS BLOGS HERE?
I AM CONFUSED, IS THIS "1984" AND ARE YOU REVISING WORDS SO DOUBLE SPEAK CAN MAKE YOU INNOCENT?
Citizen of Confusion
It's Saturday night, so after choir practice, Aunt Penny wants you to read your Sunday School lesson and then drink some milk and go to bed. On the way to sunday school don't be stopping at the cigar store to spend your tithe money on candy. Remember, the lesson text is found in Anonymous 9:34-36 and there will be recitations from the book of Judges. Night y'all. Remember, only read Gideon approved Bibles.
P.S. Let's all pray for Team Casa. They're up for the championship and the locker room's crowded. Right Frankie?
Still don't get this part: if DeWeese wanted to "reform: things why didn't he get rid of staffers who clearly in the July, 2008 grand jury presentment committed crimes - like Steve Webb? He is still there in an excellent job.
DeWeese never cleaned up or reformed.
So yes, Team Casa thinks that only Webb committed crimes (not that they were crimes), and that DeWeese and co handpicked people to go down for those crimes (not that they were crimes), and cover their own asses from their non-crime activity.
Also, lying under oath makes you the most evil person in the world, but claiming you lied under oath when you admitted guilt makes you a martyr.
And we should feel sorry for them because the prosecutor is a big meanie.
I was doing my two favorite sunday activities, watching football and catching up on casablancapa posts, and I read the comments by ANONYMOUS at 10:11 pm and 11:23 pm.
Those amounts seemed high for any candidate, let alone a first time candidate. Also curious was that these posts indicate that Mike Gerber and Josh Shapiro and Sean Ramaley were donating/receiving money to/from each other. That would be very weird since they were all first time candidates in 2004, and highly unlikely they would have money to give to each other.
So, I decided to check the State Department's website and look up the campaign finance reports. I would highly recommend casablancapa REMOVE the previously mentioned posts because the information listed in those is FALSE. There were 1 or 2contributions that may be accurate (looking at the amounts and approximate dates), and the rest are LIES, LIES, LIES.
It is fitting that in an attempt to rehabilitate a lying liar like steve webb, Mr/Ms Anonymous LIES about sean ramaley's contributions.
Dear "Citizen of Confusion",
No one said Steve Webb ran everything and was the only one breaking laws. The second comment appears to be responding to the first comment, in which the anonymous poster says that Webb was "doing the bidding of" Ramaley, among others. What the second poster was trying to say, and the point you obviously missed, was that anyone who heard the testimony knows that was not true.
Steve Webb has testified, apparently more than once, that he was bossing Ramaley around, and it came out in open court that Ramaley was performing the duties of his job, and Webb did everything in his power to try to break him of that course of conduct.
Of course, that significant detail raises one question that puts us all in a state of confusion...how is Webb not the culpable one here?
Anonymous 4.50pm -- We checked out the campaign contributions that were left here by earlier commenters. Those contributions are not correct. Good catch. Whoever commented with that information is either a really huge liar or has a very poor understanding of how to use the DOS search functions. Due to the massive amount of verifiably inaccurate campaign finance information in those comments, we have removed them. Those comments were from 12/5/2009 at 10:11pm and 10:23pm.
So, any bets on who becomes the new leader once Eachus is gone?
Even if he escapes indictment, which is unlikely, the HDC needs to remove him as leader in January. It's either that or defend to the media and their constituents back home why they didn't. That is, if they hope to retain their seats.
It will be interesting to see who emerges, and who is kept on payroll when it happens.
I doubt anyone will want her, but Laura Kuller was only brought on to save Eachus' butt, so I see no reason to keep her around - especially at her salary.
No one will miss her, I can assure you of that.
If she hangs around in the aftermath, the press needs to follow her closely with one question "exactly what are you doing here to earn your high six figure salary, now that your cover is blown and your client is going to jail?"
Stephen Webb is a big ass liar, I know this for a fact as a former staff member of the Legislative Research Office.
keysman, 09-27-09, 3:32 pm | Rate: 0 | Report
As I have said in the past........... .this Commonwealth's political game is controlled by those in the eastern part of PA. For someone elected to office in this legislature, it takes years and years to get yourself established enough to get heard. Marshall is just starting to get heard and the powers that be want to start all over again? Good God. Veon didn't get anything done for quite a while until he paid his dues. That's the way politics work in PA. Unless you are from the eastern past of PA, you haven't a chance to be heard until you are well established.
loyalty2 none, 09-30-09, 7:27 am | Rate: 0 | Report
Mike Veon has been convicted of nothing. Mike is the working man's choice for better pay, working conditions, vacation, and new High School football feilds. Mike has the full faith and backing of the Beaver zCounty Labor Council and has always been a loyal democrat thru & thru. Restore organized labor to it's rightful place in the political arena and vote straight ticket "D" to get the mills running again! Mike may have done some wheeling and dealing to bring home the bacon to Beaver County, but that's all part of the game. He would do a much better choice than the Paisley.
loyalty2 none, 10-03-09, 5:38 pm | Rate: 0 | Report
Veon played real American Football for Beaver Falls. Christiana played European Football (sissy soccer) for Beaver. That's all the voters need to know who will look at for the working man or just look out for the "MAN". Vote "Union Yes". Restore Mike Veon, the steelworker's champion, and the Beaver County Labor Council back to power. We need to get the mills re-opened, stop importing asian manufactured goods, and put people back to work!
loyalty2 none, 10-03-09, 10:56 pm | Rate: 0 | Report
Christiana is a stooge of the Oligarchs. Mike Veon (who has been found guilty of nothing) isa fighter for trhe working people of Beaver County. It's that simple. If you aree rich and don't have to work, vote for Christiana. If you have to work for a living and want a fair shake from the system with adequate break time, vote to restore Mike!
FROM BEAVER COUNTY TIMES, J. D. PROSE WITH RESPONSE FROM READERS!
Does Marshall finally have an opponent for 2010 election?TEXT SIZE Everywhere we go, we get asked the same question: Who’s going to challenge Republican state Rep. Jim Marshall in 2010? Well, we’re asked that right after “Can I have your autograph?”
Our stock answer is, “I dunno.” Surprisingly, we’ve heard very few Democratic names mentioned as possible 14th Legislative District candidates.
Actually, we haven’t heard any. None. Zip. Nada.
Until now.
Like manna from heaven, some rumors fall upon our ears and give us enough sustenance to face another day in this business, if for nothing more than the sheer pleasure we anticipate coming our way. This is one of those rumors.
Last weekend, we got a phone call from an Anonymous-to-You Source who said the rumor mill had (drum roll, please) Perpetual Candidate/Democrat-turned-independent Jay Paisley being recruited to challenge Marshall.
And people say there’s no proof God exists. Ha!
Not only would this pit a former supporter against Marshall, it would enrage Democrats who despise Paisley for his anti-Mike Veon work and feature two residents of Big Beaver, which would give us endless options for lewd double entendres.
What more could we want?
Being an intrepid reporter, we called Paisley, who said he has nothing planned.
But, as we all know, plans change. Right?
Coincidentally, we recently talked to a Big Time Democrat about Marshall’s intractable grip on the seat he wrested from Veon in 2006.
Even this BTD didn’t think his party’s prospects are good.
“I don’t know how you beat Marshall,” he said. “I mean, he slayed the dragon. That’s still fresh in people’s minds.”
Not exactly a “Win one for the Gipper” rallying cry, is it?
LINK:
http://www.timesonline.com/opinion/opinion_details/article/1421/2009/september/26/does-marshall-finally-have-an-opponent-for-2010-election.html
All I know is Sean Ramaley is not a criminal, did not intend to break any election codes or laws, and it it would be a tragedy if he is convicted.
I know others may feel differently and have an alternative opinion, but if you met him, you would understand his demeanor and character.
Believe it or not some very good people have been caught in a wide net, juts like Dolphins when Fisherman catch Tuna.
Good Luck Sean!
Anonymous said...Stephen Webb is a big ass liar, I know this for a fact as a former staff member of the Legislative Research Office. December 6, 2009 8:31 PM
Who hired Webb, once you know this info, you can gage the rest on Webb.
I mean Team Casa knows so much about everyone else and that is fine with me, but nothing on Webb?
WHO HIRED WEBB?
Is he related to Jack Webb, of Dragnet? Dum Dee Dum Dum!
SEEN & HEARD
l If you’re a Web surfer and reading this, pull up former state Sen. Gerald LaValle’s editable (yes, editable) Wikipedia page, which we found curious for three reasons.
One, there’s no mention of the Beaver Initiative for Greed, the so-called economic development agency founded by Gerry and former state Rep./perpetual defendant Mike Veon that’s brought Veon a second wave of criminal charges.
Two, Darla LaValle’s legal troubles from her time at the Voluntary Action Center of Beaver County are highlighted.
And, three, Darla’s identified as “Donna.”
Political Prose Geek Squad members activate!
I find no joy as to this terrible tragedy for our legislature.
Perhaps it was necessary in the scheme of things, for the public clamor that rose after the After Midnight Pay Raise.
In the end, new elections resulted in better citizens elected to the higher offices for the citizens everywhere, and very soon, the inadvertent corruption or misuse of state resources came to its end.
However, keeping staffers on that were parts of this tragedy and selecting only a few to be prosecuted is not right either.
A total House Cleaning is in order, but current leadership is to frighten to act for fear of implications.
Will No Man Or Woman Stand Up And do That Which Is Demanded By Citizens And Do Right For Good Government Sake!
Damn The Weak And Punish The Few, what a legacy of nothingness!
Anonymous said...So, any bets on who becomes the new leader once Eachus is gone?
I doubt he will be replaced, he allegedly changed the CIT CITIZEN DATA BASE for election purposes and only gave access to those that supported his move to Majority Leader,
New members owe him for that service, but the OAG may seize him for that same reason.
I think it was actually Eachus that betrayed Veon and it will come out in the long run.
A Courthouse Spy says the state attorney general’s office paid former Democratic chairman/county employee Vince LaValle a visit Wednesday in preparation for Ramaley’s upcoming trial as part of the so-called Bonusgate scandal. LaValle went all CIA on us and said he could neither confirm nor deny the visit. Hmmm ...
We heard last week’s Beaver County Democratic banquet at the Monaca Turner’s Club in Center Township was pretty quiet, but you know darn well there’s always something to spur whispers among the Chattering Class. And God bless’em for it.
Unfortunately, there weren’t any drunken outbursts, at least none that we’re aware of, and the candidates kept their speechifying to a minimum. No, it was who was in the audience that got some folks’ undivided attention.
Former state Rep. Vince Biancucci and former county Controller Rick Towcimak, a state committeeman, showed after keeping low profiles, and so did a Shooting Star that brilliantly flamed out last year and then disappeared ... former state Senate candidate Jason Petrella.
Banquet Birdies said a slimmed-down Petrella is “putting out feelers” for a potential run against GOP state Rep. Jim Christiana in the 15th Legislative District.
If Petrella does run, it could double the Democratic field, because we were also told that Beaver Area School Board member Frank Bovalino is definitely entering the race.
JUST SO YOU KNOW IT DOES NOT ALL HAPPEN IN HARRISBURG:::::
Blagojevich evidence stolen from his lawyers' offices:
Chicago police were investigating a burglary at the offices of attorneys for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich in which at least one computer containing undercover recordings from the sweeping corruption case was stolen, sources said.
The break-in took place about 4 a.m. at the law offices of Sam Adam and his son, Sam Adam Jr., in the 6100 block of South Ellis Avenue, police and Sam Adam Jr. said.
Contrary to early statements by a police News Affairs officer who referred calls regarding the burglary to the FBI, the FBI is not involved in the investigation, FBI Chicago office spokesman Ross Rice said in a statement.
The burglars set off an alarm but escaped the area. Investigative sources said there are no suspects.
Chicago police said eight computers and a safe were taken from the office, but they could not say what information the computers contained.
"It could be a happenstance burglary. All leads will be followed," said Chicago Police Deputy Supt. Steve Peterson.
The U.S. attorney's office in Chicago declined to comment on the incident or the theft of evidence in the case.
It is unclear if the burglary could delay Blagojevich's trial scheduled for June.
The younger Adam confirmed the burglary this afternoon but said everything that was taken is backed up on other computers in his offices.
"We did have some computers stolen, and we will not speculate on any motivation that might be behind it," Adam said. "We're trying to determine now what they did and did not take."
Adam said his team is hopeful that the burglary won't delay the case.
"We are already back to work," Adam said. "We're not going to let this slow us down and slow down the truth (from) coming out - that the governor did nothing wrong."
Adam said his office is not equipped with video surveillance. Investigators have said they had not yet determined whether the burglars knew what the computers contained or simply took them to make a quick buck.
ONE MUST WONDER IF THEIFS HANG TOGETHER, THEY MAY RETURN THE COMPUTERS TO BLAGO OUT OF PROFESSIONAL COURTESY.
Parallax Principle View Of BonusGate:
Relates to any alteration in the relative apparent positions of witnesses produced by a shift in the position of the observer or investigator.
Prosecutors derive distances to the nearest witness of a crime by a method called eyewitness parallax.
A method that relies on no assumptions other than the exact observations, conversations, and acts turned into crimes by close associates.
The apparent witness has his own angular view that is usually a displacement especially of the defendant own views due the distance in relative to their emotions around each other.
Thus, the Parallax is an apparent difference between the interpretations of each other’s views of what the other is accusing the other of and causes disorientation and conflicting views along two different lines of sight, testimony, and direct actions but can only be measured by special jurors with the semi-angle of the inclination of choosing between truth and innocence versus lies of guilt.
Once between those two lines jurors will determine such veracity only if the Defendant testifies, if not the defendants are usually found guilty, thus proving the Parallax View and Principle are flawless in the reality of any Trial.
This is what the Prosecutors rely upon and often the Defense Lawyers actually never sees it coming until it is too late, then he retires to become a Judge, and all he can think about is how he never was taught the Parallax Principle and Views unless in a very secret brotherhood that are invited by invitation only, in the case of BonusGate, few really see what is going to happen.
All will understand by Friday except those left in the darkness of confusion, by then it is far too late.
Laura Kuller is the bravest, kindest, warmest, most wonderful human being I have ever known in my life. Her brain has not only been sponge down, as they say, it has been dry-cleaned.
I tell you, there is something phony going on here. There is something phony about all of them, about Dilworth Paxson, about the legal lobbying business.
Sure Laura Kuller is the kindest, warmest, bravest, most wonderful human being we have ever known in our lives, and even now, we feel that way this minute.
Yet, somewhere in the back of our minds, something tells us it is not true. It is just not true. It is not as if Laura is hard to like.
She is impossible to like. In fact, she is probably one of the most repulsive human beings we have ever known in my whole, all of our lives.
On the other hand, Sean Ramaley, Mike Veon and Brett Cott are pretty solid types of men themselves, according to those in Washington, with whom their Friends of Labor had apparently checked.
So, we figured if they were willing to go to all the trouble to get a comment from others it would be like getting one out of George Washington.
Why, because they must be somebody very important indeed. In addition, I must say it was rather sweet of the Attorney General with them only being on the level of Captains, Colonels and Majors.
We did not even know others knew them that will testify. If they were the tiniest bit puzzled about these witnesses, they could have asked.
Oh yes, indeed, my darling Laura. They could have asked and we would have told them. Some people are loveable and some people are not loveable.
Laura has that attitude that when Todd Eachus goes to war, and someone were suddenly to become infatuated with the daughter of his opposition, wouldn't you expect her to come to you and object, and beg you to stop the entire thing before it was too late? This is what the Bonus Gate Staffers should have done but they refused to stop themselves.
Well in about one week, Todd Eachus will be at war to protect him. It will be a Taciturn War, but it will get worse and worse until every man and woman, in the HDC will have to stand up and be counted, to say whether they are on the side of right and freedom or on the side of the CasablancaPA.
Laura is the precise person to go with Todd Eachus and will show you documented evidence that this man stands for malevolence, that he is wicked, and that his whole life is devoted to undermining everything the HDCC and every freedom-minded American created to gain rightful power to stop men like Tom Corbett and his OAG Gang.
We keep telling them not to think. They are very, very good at a great many things, but thinking, just simply isn't one of them.
It is better they just yell objection just like they did on the House Floor shouting 'Point of Order,' 'Point of Order' towards the Jury and Judge.
Someone else will manage the leftovers.
Anonymous said...
Stephen Webb is a big ass liar, I know this for a fact as a former staff member of the Legislative Research Office. December 6, 2009 8:31 PM
WHAT DID WEBB LIE TO YOU ABOUT IF WE MAY ASK, IT COULD BE USEFUL.
Have you noticed that the individuals are divided into two different, irreconcilable groups? Those who walk into rooms and robotically turn television sets on and those who walk into rooms and routinely turn them off.
We all know, what the problem is, they usually marry each other that naturally causes a great deal and while you are looking or listening. This is what happens in the HDC, Co-Workers dating, then engaging, then having Affairs and I am not just talking about Manzo there was many others. Some Men left young children and a great wife for another departed out of mutual disrespect and under investigations.
Do you know what they were telling them? Like short infatuated affairs, It Is Over.
The HDCC links have been connected by the OAG, the beautifully conditioned links so well set up by what we thought were the best of computer minds are smashed.
They are smashed as of now because we say so, because we say they ought to be smashed. We're now going to be busting' up the HDC, we're tearing' out all the wires, we're busting' it up so good all the King's horses and all the King’s men will never put old' Leadership back together again.
Many do not work at the HDC anymore, they just have not been told.
This is an order that has been well planned and the architect is none other than the person the ran the HDCC with visionary action and aggressive style the Democrats finally took control of the House.
Tom Corbett cannot touch them and knows better.
If anybody invites you to be part of this new game, you tell him or her, Regretfully, buster, the ball game is over!
If the star witness against Bin Laden was one of his chief generals, would that make Bin Laden innocent.
What crap this whole site is.
...what crap this whole "investigation" is...
A better analogy would be one of Bin Laden's generals, represented by a lawyer who was paid by Bin Laden, testifying in a case based on documentary evidence provided to the prosecution by Bin Laden, who isn't charged with anything
...And then perhaps the prosecution goes anc charges Bin Laden with crimes related to that very same documentary evidence, yet somehow expects to proceed with a case based on the evidence he claims was gathered illegally.
"Signor Ferrari said..A better analogy would be one of Bin Laden's generals, represented by a lawyer who was paid by Bin Laden, testifying in a case based on documentary evidence provided to the prosecution by Bin Laden, who isn't charged with anything December 7, 2009 10:31 AM"
I disagree with your analogy and I respect your views and wish you well in any outcome, I am on your side.
It is not Bin Laden at all or his Lawyer, it about someone being set up to take the blame for Bin Laden, as minions under Bin Laden blame that person.
Bin Laden was actually proud he did 911 and loved seeing the carnage and bragging about it.
But just look who was in charge of the HDCC after Veon and Stetler and who took credit and bragged about their actions, then assume power without others knowing what was going on for months.
The east wanted to topple the west for a long time, east of Harrisburg now has the power and that is where you start.
As you quarrel among yourselves to seal your fate, when you own innocence lies together.
Believe it or not, some Staffers did things behind your backs thinking it was helping you as they helped themselves to the people's money.
Any cover up of their actions will result in obstruction of justice and sure path to the gallows.
Smart Defense Lawyers know how to keep some evidence out because of the way it was given or taken, and all overturned on Appeal if allowed in by the Judge wrongly.
There is no Bin Laden here at all; there are just people with power behind those that want to remove it from others.
There is a quiet coup happening, and it does not matter how they remove you, just so you are removed even if you are found innocent later.
Remember, Bin Laden actually was a Blowback on the CIA and they set up the Taliban to fight the Russians, they are fighting the West now.
Look to whom assumed power not to those the lost it! There is your Quisling!
Jennifer Brubaker hired Stephen Webb in 2003 and was his supervisor in leg research office. They liked his campaign background.
Now who hired Jenny Brubaker and you have the dots to the links thyat can make someone sing or sink.
MANZO SUNSHINE AND CLOUDS AFTER THE LIGHTS WERE TURNED OFF CONTINUED FROM OTHER POSTS:
ROXBURY TWITTER REPORT ON RAMALEY TRIAL:
Manzo appears cool and collected. He is getting used to being questioned by prosecutors, it seems.
Manzo agrees with defense question that Ramaley had no part in discussions to send Webb to Beaver Co to help with campaign.
Ramaley worked 20 hours a week and was paid $1273 every two weeks. Half of a legislators salary as per Veon.
Attorney Jeff Foreman name is on alot of documents, he was a busy guy.
Ramaley' attorney is trying to prove Webb bonus of 2K was for work prior to Ramaley campaign.
Ignelzi questioning Manzo about the email thanking people working on UCC project, Ignelzi is calling UCC code for opp research.
Defense shows memo on Webb 2K bonus which thanks him for opposition research not for work on Ramaley campaign.
Short recess. Then Dan Wiedemer, former head of House Democratic Campaign Committee.
Manzo done. Left courthouse quickly with no comment!
Court is back in session. Bonusgate co-defendants Brett Cott and Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink are observing.
During break, deputy AG Tony Krastek told Press prosecution expects to rest tomorrow. ... Jury is returning now.
Jenny Brubaker did the right thing and upon reding her testimony on Twitter, I suspect she was very honest and forthright.
Good for her, and I am sad, she had to do this, all over some unethical deeds more than any crimes.
HMmmmnnn.It is clear Ramaley was paid for Legislative work and worked on his Campaign too, as instructed by Veon, Manzo, Foreman, and Webb.
Yet, the Public expect Elected officials to work their campaigns while on the job, after that is there job, to meet, greet, an listn to the public.
Here is a quetion, if Politicians and Political Staffers use Public Money and spend it into the Public, how is that Theft if they have given it back to the Public?
I fear we are on an abysss?
THE REPORTER TAKE ON THE RAMALEY TRIAL:
So far, there has not been much testimony about wrongdoing by Sean Ramaley.
I AGREE AND IN TIME WE ARE GOING TO SEE MANY OF THE BONUSGATE DEFENDANTS WILL WALK BECAUSE THEY WERE DOING THEIR JOBS WITH NO INTENT TO DEFRAUD OR ROB ANYONE OR THE STATE.
THIS IS MORE ABOUT CHANGING POLITICAL POWER FROM DEMOCRATS TO REPUBLICANS TO REMOVE LONG TERM INCUMBENTS, NOT SEEKING REDRESS FOR THE PEOPLE.
THERE WAS BETTER WAYS TO HAVE THE POLITICAL PARTY LEADERSHIP HAVE THEIR POLITICAL PARTIES TO REIMBURSE THE STATE FOR THE BONUSES, EXPENSES, AND USE OF COMMONWEALTH RESOURCES.
INSTEAD, THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD HANG OUT TO DRY A FATHER, HUSBAND, AND SON JUST FOR A RIDE TO THE GOVERNORS MANSION.
THIS IS NOT RIGHT AND THE JURY WILL SEE THROUGH IT!
STOP IT NOW, FIND A BETTER WAY!
From reading Twitter on Sean Ramaley Trial there are two views on the Jury being Antsy as Reporters describe it.
This means the Trial should never have been called or they are already in Conviction Mode.
Attorneys fought over whether Copy Paper has a Value as example of using State Resources at 5 or 10 cents.
On one hand, you would think the OAG Attorney would know that value before the Trial, but he did not put a price on it.
On the other hand, Ramaley Attorney used it as showing a person freedom is in the risk over 5 cent paper and used it as subject for appeal later since the Judge admitted it.
Therefore, the Jury is mad over such trifles or just tired and just wants to go home.
Hard call, right now. It is my feeling the jury thinks most Lawmakers are crooks and just want to convict and go home, but I hope I am wrong on my view.
If so, this goes to my theory that people are really upset with Government and Incumbents are in big trouble nationally, state, and locally.
I think the jury was out of the room when the fought over paper
I wonder what kind of sweet deal Buchanan Ingersol gave Laura Kuller to take the C.O.S. job?
They probably thought she'd make all kinds of friends inside, then come back as a partner and bring all that money with her.
Ooops. They must not have realized her boss was going be indicted and she's the most unlikable person you could ever meet. Sorry guys, better luck next time.
In the PPG today.....
"Bryan Walk, attorney for Mr. Cott said yesterday afternoon that his client has not taken a deal."
"A lot of people caught up in this shouldn't be caught up to this extent and people who are not caught up in this that probably should be," Mr. Walk said during a break in the proceedings."
This has been my point all along, and I feel it is hard to explain and complicated, but it shows a wide net to catch some fish but not all the fish are the same and it is unfair.
For example, many people were involved in another excerpt.
"Another legislative assistant, Janet MacNeil, testified that she began working on campaigns out of Mr. Veon's office in 2003. Then, she was employed by Lend-A-Hand Network, a nonprofit organization created by Mr. Veon, funded by the state. It operated out of the same large office as Mr. Veon's district office and another Veon-created nonprofit, Beaver Initiative for Growth."
"She described work for all three enterprises as being intertwined with each other and with campaign work."
Yet, in another excerpt, "In other testimony, Harrisburg-based staffer Richard Pronesti said that he often was dispatched to Western Pennsylvania to work on campaigns of Mr. Veon and others and that his election-related travel expenses were normally charged to the state.
Mr. Cott and Mrs. Perretta-Rosepink coordinated the campaign work, he said, and Jeff Foreman, another former staffer charged in the case, instructed him to charge the expenses to taxpayer-funded accounts"
MY CONCLUSION:
When you try to charge some people on B.I.G., Lend a Hand, etc then some with working on elections that had nothing to do with B.I.G., then throw in Nader, Ramaley, and issues and campaigns, YOU END UP WITH NOT ALL KNOWING WHAT WAS BEING CHARGED AND WHERE, WHETHER CAMPAIGN MONEY OR STATE MONEY, AND EVEN WORSE MANY OF THEE PEOPLE DID NOT ALL KNOW WHAT WAS BEING CHARGED AND WHERE.
THE OAG DID NOT BRING IN TOM FOREMAN AND SHOW HOW HE CHARGED THE FUNDING IN THE RAMALEY CAMPAIGN, EVEN WORSE HOW CAN BRETT COTT KNOW ANY AND ALL OF THIS AS WELL?????
YOU CANNOT JUST SHOW WITNESSES WE SAW PEOPLE WORKING ON CAMPAIGNS, YOU HAVE TO SHOW THE EXACT DETAILS WHERE AND WHEN THOSE WORKING WERE BEING CHARGED WITH USING STATE MONEY.
THIS IS HARD TO DO WITH JUST ANY TESTIMONY, YOU NEED A DIRECT LINK, AND THIS INVESTIGATION IN REALITY NEVER SHOWS THOSE DIRECT LINKS, BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE INVOLVED KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT EVERYONE WAS DOING AT THE SAME TIME.
THE NET IS TOO WIDE, AND EVIDENCE TOO NARROW, AND TESTIMONY IS NOT ALWAYS RELIABLE SINCE IT CANNOT BE ALWAYS ACCURATE ALL THE TIME.
FISHES THAT DO NOT OPEN THEIR MOUTHS NEVER GET CAUGHT, BUT IN THIS CASE, EVERYONE THAT TESTIFIED FOR THE STATE, DID SO OUT OF FEAR, JUST BECAUSE THEY SAW SOME WORKING ON CAMPAIGNS AND IT WAS HARD TO SEPARATE SOME WORKING ON CAMPAIGNS AND DOING CITIZENS SERVICE.
SORRY, BUT YOU NEED DIRECT CONNECTIONS SHOWING THIS WAS CRIMINAL INTENTIONAL FROM THE START, BUT IN MOST CASES IT WAS SLOPPY AND CONSIDER NORMAL PART OF THE JOB.
What really happen is these jobs mingled and evolved between Citizen Service and Campaigns assignments, and no one ever thought they would have to remain separate all the time, and no politician or staffers can always keep them straight, even Tom Corbett & the OAG, and when you add in a dozen more people giving and taking assignments, you end up with a Steve Webb confused, lost, and just not knowing what to do or say, as he talks to the last person instructing him, including the OAG.
These charges have some merit but it was a culture of confusion not culture of corruption with intent, and if you were employed at the HDC you either told the OAG what you saw without knowing all details, or you told the OAG the truth that it is tough to separate the two, and no matter how you cut it, it was the OAG that decided those they want and those they will allow to escape, based on what they promise to say.
This has turned into a Witch Hunt!
GIVE ME A BREAK!
Anonymous said...I wonder what kind of sweet deal Buchanan Ingersol gave Laura Kuller to take the C.O.S. job? They probably thought she'd make all kinds of friends inside, then come back as a partner and bring all that money with her. Ooops. They must not have realized her boss was going be indicted and she's the most unlikable person you could ever meet. Sorry guys, better luck next time. December 8, 2009 9:10 PM:
Nothing happen to Dilworth Paxon not even an investigation by the OAG or DOJ after FUMO convicted.
All Legal Lobbyists just change Partners as those they help elect and direct go down one by one; they just find and elect new Partners.
It is how politics work, they do what they want, they gave the big bucks, even the DOJ and OAG Attorneys give and raise money for candidates and Corbett, Meehan, Specter, and Casey have taken it.
They will protect those that give, some may get a reprimand, if done the wrong way, and gets into the press, but most to none are never formally investigated.
I cannot believe how weak Ramaley's defense is based on what I am reading. Crying mothers and priests may tug at the heartstrings, but if he really did the work he was paid to do, there should be a giant paper trail, but the best they can do is bring someone to say "I saw him do actual constitutent work at least twice".
Why did Representative Matzie of Ambridge testify in the Ramaley Case?
I mean this is the guy that was Chief of Staff for Senator Gerald LaValle and all his questionable dealings with BIG.
LaValle son allegedly made a ton of money from BIG Real Estate transactions, but LaValle blamed Mike Veon and Rosepink-Perretta for the alleged crimes of BIG.
Darla, the senators' wife has been charged with alleged cheating the United Way for a alleged $122,000 salary of supervising two employees with some of that salary from State Grant Money.
Matzie was LaValle Chief of Staff, and we are expected to believe he knew nothing, but he testified for Ramaley????
Something fishy here and why the OAG never investigated is beyond belief.
Anonymous 5:02, How would Ramaley access this paper trail, given that DeWeese controlled what evidence was turned over to Corbett?
Signor - How do you get access to a paper trail? Wow, if you don't know the answer to that question, yours is going to be one short trial.
But go ahead and try the "DeWeese is framing me" angle. I'm sure it will work better than the "disappearing boxes" defense that Frankie tried.
If it's such a simple question, it should be easy for you to answer. Obviously DeWeese did not turn over documents that disproved Corbett's case, so how would Ramaley acquire them? If you think the answer is obvious, you don't know as much as you think you know.
Matzie was terrible Mayor of Ambridge and horrible Chief of Staff. If he was running Lavalle office he had to know what was going in BIG.
If he testified for Ramaley that is one BIG mistake for Ramaley.
This guy is not to be trusted, Lavalle put all BIG deals on Mike Veon to take all the blame.
Matzie needs to be investigated on what he knew about BIG and and how senator Lavalee son made most of tehe real estate deals for BIG.
Signor Ferrari said...
Anonymous 5:02, How would Ramaley access this paper trail, given that DeWeese controlled what evidence was turned over to Corbett?
December 9, 2009 5:44 PM
I agree, the better defense would have been, he was just doing what he was told, with no intent to break the law, not knowing if he was being paid from campaign or state funds, since they were deposited by bank transfer, and how would he know what was being charged to the state or campaign, if someone else was entrusted with the duty.
Sean problem now is he has Franky LaGotta problem, my sister and niece did the work, but we destroyed it, so he has no work to be shown for when he needs to show it to the jury.
Some of those union members that are so intense on praising the actions of Veon should be checking the real estate transfers in Rochester Township on there way back from Local 833 in stead of singing the praises of Veon and LaValle. You know the old axiom. . . follow the money. Show me the money.
Signor Ferrari said...
Anonymous 5:02, How would Ramaley access this paper trail, given that DeWeese controlled what evidence was turned over to Corbett?
December 9, 2009 5:44 PM
Defendants are entitled to all evidence against them, and you keep blaming Deweese for everything, but you blamed Webb not Manzo, but when Deweese delegated the re-election to Veon and Eachus, somehow Deweese did it all.
This is the one thing I never agreed with CasablancaPA on, and it is wrong for such accusations just because Deweese did the right thing and cooperated when no other lawmaker would.
Cooperation is not obstruction of justice, and Deweese never set anyone up, but it does look like others were setting him up. If you read all the presentments.
How will the investigation of the Dilworth Paxson law firm effect the Lieutenant Governor's race. Should be pretty interesting if things go in that direction.
Funny,when you worked on the Veon Campaign they kept track of everyone working on the Campaign.
Brett Cott made everyone sign in that came into the Campaign Office and sign out too.
Ramaley should have the same paper work on what he was working on at Veon's Office, but it never showed up, but you expect us to believe, DeWeese took them, hid them, and it was Veon's Office?
I do not believe in the Boogie Man but when I was small I was afraid of him, if Ramalaey did work, produce it, if not, so be it, let the jury decide.
Do not blame others.
I hope Mike Veon is acquitted and returns back to Beaver County to run for his old job. We need a legislator like him. You can't even imagine the ineptness of the one we have in there now. His office does not even answer the phone half the time and they never know how to get anything done. I miss the service that Mike's office provided. He also was able to get a lopt of grants fvor the area and jobs. We need him back. God Bless you, Mike Veon.
Ugarte said...
Anonymous 4.50pm -- We checked out the campaign contributions that were left here by earlier commenters. Those contributions are not correct. Good catch. Whoever commented with that information is either a really huge liar or has a very poor understanding of how to use the DOS search functions. Due to the massive amount of verifiably inaccurate campaign finance information in those comments, we have removed them. Those comments were from 12/5/2009 at 10:11pm and 10:23pm.
December 6, 2009 5:09 PM
Thank you for being honest, considerate and accurate, and taking down wrong information.
Now do us all a favor, put up all of Veon, DeWeese, Eachus, Ramaley, Frankle, Shapiro, McCall, Stetler, George, Evans, Santoni, Fumo, and Lavalle Campaign Contributions from 2002, through 2008. Corbett's too.
This way we can see them all, after all, CasablancaPA is all about exposing hypocrisy, and you did malign all these people at one time or another.
Now you decide to protect them?
Oh, woe is the spin masters until the worms spin silk they do not want to sell.
Isn't it odd that Rob Matzie was so close to Sean Ramaley. Surely, they had to know what was going on while they were allegedly planning for Rob to run for Sean's seat while Sean was planning to run for Rob's bosses's seat.
His boss was none other than the "silent" State Senator Gerry Lavelle. Did Rob Matzie ever campaign on state time?
surely, in his life-long career with Senator Lavelle he did something on the public's dime. Maybe that makes him an expert witness. He knows the difference.
Bloggers are right here, CasablancaPA need to do an article on Dilworth Paxson and where they refused to answer for Fumo and others benefits and how much they contributed to Corbett since 2000 to now.
Where is the sunshine on the big lobbying firms, oh that is right, some hired Manzo, some hired Veon, some hired Cott, Eachus hired Cott's in-law relatives, and we do not want that to be known, do we?
What no one ever planned on was the investigation after the presentments, and that investigation is just getting started at the Grand Jury.
When it comes out whom was helping whom on what, oh my a mother’s womb’s will shake in fright.
Here is how it will happen, after this all over, those same lobbyists will tell them all, sorry, we cannot have anything to do with you now that you are a convicted felon, then they will know how used they were on being silent.
Some key words on some bloggers and characters at Team Casa.
Veon = Venom
Cott = Caught
Brubakers = Breakers
Manzo = Manson
Foreman = somebody, especially a man, chosen by the other members of a jury to be their leader
Webb = arachnid to catch prey
Ramaley = Ramble
Rosepink = Blushing
Dilworth Paxson = Dilworth Samson
You guys got it wrong on Laura Jan Goldberg, she has ties to her father is a senior partner in Schwab, Goldberg, Price & Dannay, a New York law firm, and is a former chairman of the American Bar Association's section on intellectual property law.
So cut the crap on her, she is just fine and daddy with a great future.
How is Madooff's New York effecting Pennsylvania these days. We understand Laura Kuller hails from the Big Apple and has entre to a megafirm related to Goldman Sachs? It's nice to vacation in the Catskills.
Heere is a hope and pry Ramaley has an enlighten Jury capable of seeing the difference between Criminal Intent to break laws, and the intent to run for office as in the normal process without ever thinking he waqs breaking any laws.
If not lets hope some enlighten Judges on Appeal see the errors in the Ramaley trial.
Good Luck Sean!
If you were in the courtroom, you'd know that Matzie testified about a tour, of the district, that he took with Ramaley and Dan Woodske...give up the conspiracy theories, please.
I have come to one sad conclusion what this is all about and how Mike Veon.
I recall Mike Veon and Gerry LaValle both calling for an investigation of the Gaming Board practices, lack of background checks, and poor choices on giving out Gaming Licenses.
They went public with their complaints.
Mike Veon also stood by his fellow Union Workers when they had a strike against the Pittsburgh Press and Beaver County Times and the Media never forgave him for that type of character.
The Gaming Board has been proven a bastion of incompetence, favoritism, and out right shame.
Even today, the legislators are holding up the New Table Games out of fear they will be sandbagged again since Governor Rendell never fulfilled all the promises of Gaming.
In fact, Governor Rendell actually gave to his friend from Chicago the Gaming Licenses for Pittsburgh and Philadelphia as we all found out later.
Both Race Track proposals in Lawrence and Beaver County are now after thoughts with dried up financing.
Lawrence was home to Frank LaGrotta and in Gerald LaValle, district and Big Beaver proposal for a Race Track was in Mike Veon's District.
Sean Ramaley was heir apparent for Gerald LaValle for State Senator.
Throw in Vince Fumo who was the architect of the Gaming law and his conviction and you got a perfect process of political suicide, not about the gaming money but due to past transgressions almost all politicians do in a normal day especially those in power.
But it is about the money, it is always about the money.
Now all of sudden all have been charged or under investigation and some pleaded guilty already and Fumo convicted.
These men did many more good things than anything bad and the even the money spent on campaign expenses or bonuses is trifle and easily reimbursed compared to what a CaSINo Race Track makes in a week.
If Sean Ramaley is convicted, it will be a shame.
It will be evidence of CaSINo Wars among Political Powers and their backers not about justice for the Taxpayers.
Gaming was never about the Taxpayers and when Veon and LaValle stood up for it...they were taken out as well as Ramaley and all capable Staffers over Gaming Wars among the powerful all in New York today, many not even living in Pennsylvania.
Hope Veon and Casa Compatriots turns on the lights of this charade and parade for dollars from gaming for Private gain, not Taxpayers relief. Hope none of those charged are found guilty because of others agendas to change power in Pennsylvania.
Wwillknow in a little while over Ramaley's Verdict. Guilty the Gaming Gang wins, Not Guilty, Casa just warming up for a fight for freedom!
I have come to one sad conclusion what this is all about and how Mike Veon.
I recall Mike Veon and Gerry LaValle both calling for an investigation of the Gaming Board practices, lack of background checks, and poor choices on giving out Gaming Licenses.
They went public with their complaints.
Mike Veon also stood by his fellow Union Workers when they had a strike against the Pittsburgh Press and Beaver County Times and the Media never forgave him for that type of character.
The Gaming Board has been proven a bastion of incompetence, favoritism, and out right shame.
Even today, the legislators are holding up the New Table Games out of fear they will be sandbagged again since Governor Rendell never fulfilled all the promises of Gaming.
In fact, Governor Rendell actually gave to his friend from Chicago the Gaming Licenses for Pittsburgh and Philadelphia as we all found out later.
Both Race Track proposals in Lawrence and Beaver County are now after thoughts with dried up financing.
Lawrence was home to Frank LaGrotta and in Gerald LaValle, district and Big Beaver proposal for a Race Track was in Mike Veon's District.
Sean Ramaley was heir apparent for Gerald LaValle for State Senator.
Throw in Vince Fumo who was the architect of the Gaming law and his conviction and you got a perfect process of political suicide, not about the gaming money but due to past transgressions almost all politicians do in a normal day especially those in power.
But it is about the money, it is always about the money.
Now all of sudden all have been charged or under investigation and some pleaded guilty already and Fumo convicted.
These men did many more good things than anything bad and the even the money spent on campaign expenses or bonuses is trifle and easily reimbursed compared to what a CaSINo Race Track makes in a week.
If Sean Ramaley is convicted, it will be a shame.
It will be evidence of CaSINo Wars among Political Powers and their backers not about justice for the Taxpayers.
Gaming was never about the Taxpayers and when Veon and LaValle stood up for it...they were taken out as well as Ramaley and all capable Staffers over Gaming Wars among the powerful all in New York today, many not even living in Pennsylvania.
Hope Veon and Casa Compatriots turns on the lights of this charade and parade for dollars from gaming for Private gain, not Taxpayers relief. Hope none of those charged are found guilty because of others agendas to change power in Pennsylvania.
At least we have a Compassionate Judge seeing through some of these Prosecutions:
Piroli, Sutter escape jail time:
By: Bill Vidonic
Beaver County Times
Wednesday December 9, 2009 10:06 PM
BEAVER — Beaver County Judge Harry Knafelc said Wednesday that neither former Rochester Manager Ed Piroli nor former borough secretary Lois Sutter were like the usual criminal defendants he has encountered.
They weren’t bad people or evil people, Knafelc said. Instead, “They were two local officials who probably got caught up in something they shouldn’t have,” he said.
Knafelc quoted President Grover Cleveland, saying, “Public office is a public trust,” and added that he couldn’t ignore a jury’s decision to convict Piroli and Sutter of criminal conspiracy and conflict of interest in September. Piroli was also convicted of misappropriation of entrusted property.
“Sanctions have to be imposed,” Knafelc said, just before placing Piroli and Sutter in the county’s intermediate punishment program for two years.
Piroli, 58, of Daugherty Township, and Sutter, 55, of Rochester, both escaped any jail time or house arrest. Knafelc ordered that both are to spend 45 days, beginning Jan. 6, on electronic monitoring. The next 45 days, they will have to report in with the county’s adult probation office on a daily basis. For the remainder of the two years, Piroli and Sutter will, in effect, be on probation.
“Honest to God, I can’t believe this. I just can’t believe this,” Sutter told family members as she cried and hugged them at the end of her hearing.
Family members made obscene gestures to a Times photographer as they led Sutter out of the courtroom, with one of the entourage shouting, “And that’s for (Attorney General) Tom Corbett, too!” The state attorney general’s office prosecuted Piroli and Sutter.
Piroli said after his sentencing, “I can still hold my head up high because I know I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Prosecutors said Piroli and Sutter worked together to give themselves raises or longevity pay without the knowledge of council members.
Deputy Attorney General Laurel Brandstetter said that since the amount of money involved in those accusations was ambiguous during the trial, she gave Piroli and Sutter “the benefit of the doubt,” and set the numbers at the low end, with $1,886 for Piroli and $2,247 for Sutter.
Knafelc set those amounts as civil penalties to be repaid under the state’s Public Officials Ethics Act.
Defense attorneys Steve Colafella and Steve Townsend had argued during Sutter and Piroli’s trial that the two didn’t receive anything that other borough employees did not receive as well, and that past and present council members knew of the payments.
During the trial, there was talk of poor oversight of borough finances. Even Knafelc acknowledged that trial testimony showed that “the situation in Rochester was, to say the least, chaotic.”
Piroli was also convicted of putting a state grant that was to pay for a security system for the borough police department into the borough’s general fund, instead using it to pay borough bills.
The grant money was eventually paid back, and Piroli was never accused of pocketing that money for personal gain.
Speaking before Knafelc pronounced his sentence, Piroli spoke of how his family name has been respected in Beaver County for more than 100 years, with many of his relatives involved in public service.
He spoke of many service organizations he himself served.
“I’ve never taken a penny in my life, and that’s what makes this so hard,” Piroli said.
Piroli said that in more than two decades as a borough employee, he declined health and other benefits for himself and his family, probably saving the borough $300,000.
“If I was out after money, I could have gotten it legitimately,” Piroli said.
Piroli said he currently has a part-time job with the nonprofit TRAILS Ministry in Beaver Falls, which helps reintroduce former jail inmates in the community.
Piroli added that he was grateful for the employment at his age and in tough economic times.
“I feel very fortunate,” Piroli said.
LINK:
http://www.timesonline.com/bct_news/news_details/article/1504/2009/december/09/piroli-sutter-escape-jail-time.html
Ramaley acquitted of all charges.
God Bless America!
I can see this Ramaley Verdict causing great confusion, accusations, and in fighting among the Republicans from Orie to Turzai to the Judges.
Krazek saying, "All Politics Are Dirty", was far off the mark.
It shows an inherent bias in the AG Office that they are going after anyone and everyone thinking all politicians are dirty.
And that is just not the case. Many of these people sacrifice their lives and long hours for very short pay often having trouble meeting monthly income budgets.
They do not live off the state but often live for the state and they are never thanked until you need one, or they do something for you.
The AG Office went after Sean Ramaley for political purposes and the Jury saw through it.
Now I hope Sean demands and is given Attorney Fees along with all Defendants.
All Politics Is Not Dirty, it is like making sausage, it does not look pretty, but the results can taste very good in the end.
I hope we all send money to Sean and he begins his candidacy for the Senate ASAP. Vogel is not worthy of that office.
Congratulations Sean and thank you CASABLANCAPA for a place to post what many need to know.
One Reporter said this takes the winds out of the Attorney General sails, heck that is an understatement, more like sets them on fire and they burning the ship not just the sails.
Now is the time for a settlement of all parties using the Pubic ethics Act, no more waste of taxpayers Money on trials that will not result in convictions.....why....because like Sean Ramley, no one intended to defraud, rob, or misuse Public Funds in the way the AG says is illegal.
Surely Common Sense now can really save Commonwealth Dollars, Dialing for dollars is noble than Diving Dollars to ruin lives of people that just did their jobs.
Sean Ramley is free, one down, a few more to go!
That slob, perjurer, crook, liar, thief, obstructionist, deluded Steve Webb should resign his job -- or get fired -- now. Why should he still have a job while the admitted perjurer lies in court to try to ruin the lives and jobs of others -- like Sean Ramaley.
He admitted to multiple crimes and now he is just Corbett's whore. He'll do and say anything Corbett wants. Thankfully this jury didn't believe a single word that criminal/liar said on the stand.
Webb admitted in open court that he perjured himself -- several times. Why is HE not charged with a crime?
Webb actually caught Attorney Corbett in his own web.
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