Speaker Keith McCall's retirement is the hot news of the day. As things like this go, there is always the propensity to look back on a retiree's career with rose-colored glasses. We'd like to inject some reality into this process before the chapter for McCall in the Book of Saints gets written.It is a fact that McCall was a good legislator. Not just good, but above average. He was a concientious and committed representative for Carbon County. And, when it came to transportation issues, McCall was a diligent and hard worker.
However, this morning we saw the first hints of revisionist history when it comes to McCall and bonusgate.
Before this gets out of hand, it is important that a few facts are pointed out about McCall and his involvement in the culture that has permeated Harrisburg since Ben Franklin's time in the Speaker's chair. A culture he actively participated in until the paradigm shift occured when gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett began his investigation of the House Democratic Caucus.
First, McCall filled his staff with former Veon staff. Notably, the Veon staff that has since been shown to be among the most political. Take a look at Corbett's witness list for the upcoming Veon trial and you'll recognize the names of current and former McCall staff.
Make no mistake. McCall swooped up these Veon workers because he knew what they could do politically for his nascent leadership position. There is no doubt that PJ Lavelle was hired to do the exact same job for McCall as Lavelle did for Veon. You can see it all in Exhibit E-18 of the Veon pre-trial motion from July of 2009. His plans for his Veon inheritance only came to an end when the bonusgate investigation made it no longer tenable.
McCall's use of his staff for political activity didn't just start with his ascendancy to the Whip position in 2007. Exhibit E-18 shows his staff using their taxpayer emails during normal work hours to coordinate campaign work for both McCall and other members of the caucus.
Finally, we encourage everyone to take a peek at the Transportation Committee and Whip contingency accounts McCall maintained. Match it to the per diems he collected. Veon was charged by Corbett for five felonies for the exact same use of his Whip contingency account.
McCall is a good man and will be remembered as a good legislator. But, before anyone writes a hagiography, keep in mind that when it came to the culture of politics and perks in Harrisburg, he was just a typical legislator.
74 comments:
As usual, you guys show nothing but class.
How can a lawmaker who violates the law, or is silent in face of lawbreaking, be considered to be a good legislator?
Was Speaker McCall as unaware of Bonusgate violations as was Bill DeWeese claims he was? The Slots bill trampled Article III of the Constitution as did Pay Raise vote.
The 2001 Pension Vote which benefited directly Keith McCall is now set to blow in 2012. How is Carbon County better off as a result of Keith McCall's representation.
Keith McCall is a professional politician who seems to have inherited his dad's seat and has had no experience in world of productive business and job creation.
Would we be surprised if he becomes a lobbyist?
"McCall is a good man and will be remembered as a good legislator. But, before anyone writes a hagiography, keep in mind that when it came to the culture of politics and perks in Harrisburg, he was just a typical legislator."
I see McCall no different than Veon, DeWeese or Perzel, and ALL other Legislators that showed up and did the jobs.
Corbett has decided to prosecute them in claims they ordered Staffs to do campaign work on state, when that line is very blurred in all reality.
Corbett is trying to turn them and all Staffers into Criminals but I sincerely believe the Juror will see through this charade of Runaway Grand Juries led by Corbett's SS.
Veon will not be convicted! Then we make Corbett answerable for his misdeeds!
Very smart move by Veon if denied he will win on Appeal:
Veon challenging use of e-mails in trial:
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
By Tracie Mauriello, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
HARRISBURG -- Defense attorneys are trying to sink the state's case against former state Rep. Mike Veon before it even begins.
The trial scheduled to begin Tuesday centers around some 60,000 e-mail messages purporting to show that political work was done on state time and that more than $1 million in tax dollars were distributed as bonuses to compensate staffers for campaign work.
"Defendant Veon objects to the blanket introduction of potentially tens of thousands of e-mail documents which have not been properly authenticated," defense attorneys Joel Sansone and Daniel Raynak wrote in a brief filed yesterday in Dauphin County Common Pleas Court.
They argue that there is no way to document the authenticity of the e-mail messages and have concerns that the evidence was supplied by state Rep. Bill DeWeese, who they call a co-conspirator in the bonus scheme.
Mr. DeWeese, D-Waynesburg, was not implicated in the bonus scheme but was charged more recently in connection with the hiring of two aides who allegedly worked on campaigns rather than legitimate legislative work.
"There can be no question that he was aware that millions of dollars of bonuses had been paid out.
There is also no dispute that Mr. DeWeese hired several lawyers to comb through the requested documents and decided what he did and did not want to provide, citing legislative privilege for many documents," wrote Mr. Sansone of Pittsburgh and Mr. Raynak of Phoenix.
"All of this evidence is tainted because it was produced by an individual who had and has a strong motive to distort or withhold the truth contained in these and other documents."
It will be up to Dauphin County Common Pleas Judge Richard Lewis to decide whether the e-mail messages are admissible.
Prosecutors argue that excluding them could jeopardize their whole case against Mr. Veon and former legislative aides Brett Cott, Stephen Keefer and Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink.
Exclusion would "terminate or substantially handicap the prosecution," Chief Deputy Attorney General Frank Fina wrote in a court filing Dec. 29.
Mr. Veon represented Beaver County in the Legislature for 22 years. He is among 25 people charged so far in the ongoing Bonusgate investigation, which so far has resulted in seven guilty pleas and one acquittal.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10013/1027967-100.stm#ixzz0cWEkLp5U
GENTLEMEN WE ARE AT DEFCON 3!
One reason why Corbett and his OAG wanted those "Guilty Pleas" so fast is because his Grand Jury Presentments full of errors and refusal of exculpatory evidence will not hold up before a fair and impartial Jury.
So, Corbett frighten them to plea or face financial ruin and can claim victory to win the Governorship.
It is working now, but it will not be working in November, more is coming at the OAG this time.
Wait and See?
yES, i AGREE, tEAM cASABLANCA HAS NOT STOOPED TO THE LEVEL OF HYPOCRISY TYPICAL OF IT'S ACCUSERS AND PERSECUTOR, TOM CORBETT. IT IS JUST A SHAME THAT YOU HAVE HAd to defend yourself against the same institution that has perpetuated through the ages. oh, that we could return to the day when charlatans masked in righteousness would not be able to use their title, their office, the media to perpetuate a witch hunt.
What is this persecution a smoke screen for? What is going on whilst the voters minds are told to focus on this scandal that has been poorly dubbed as bonusgate''Can't they even come up with original names? What is Corbett covering up?
To quote George Clooney in UP IN THE AIR: There's nothing cheap about LOYALTY'
Anonymous said...Prosecutors argue that excluding them could jeopardize their whole case against Mr. Veon and former legislative aides Brett Cott, Stephen Keefer and Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink.
January 13, 2010 1:39 PM
This alone shows Corbett was not even qualified to know how to gather evidence in the Constitutional right way.
No Judge in there right mind would approve of these methods to seize the Emails in that manner and methods.
Bill DeWeese and his Lawyers may actually have set a trap for Corbett on gathering the Emails that make prosecutions impossible.
If Corbett and the OAG has such a strong case why are hey now crying they cannot win without these Emails?
The fact is this whole investigation was conducted in a political purpose planned manner to oust Democratic Leadership and now Corbett and his Vampire Boys are setting the media up for excuses when they lose the case.
Corbett has built his entire Governorship Campaign on false charges and it will catch up with him.
"Anonymous said..."All of this evidence is tainted because it was produced by an individual who had and has a strong motive to distort or withhold the truth contained in these and other documents." January 13, 2010 1:39 PM
This shows the Office of the Attorney General was Incompetent in how they began these cases.
In addition, the Runaway Grand Juries and Presentments conducted by the Deputy AG's were criminally and ethically executed in a manner that did provide the Defendants with their proof they were innocence.
Furthermore, District Attorney Steven Zappala little offices and staff in Allegheny did the just the opposite of AG Corbett & his OAG, by gathering their evidence in a proper method against Senator Jane Orie.
Finally, DA Zappala recorded his Grand Jury unlike Corbett's OAG, and can prove they did it by the Constitutional Book, not politically like Frank Fina, Tony Krastek, and Reeder.
Once the Press finds out how bad Corbett and the OAG conducted their investigations and how good DA Zappala did, Corbett will not be Governor.
Corbett, Krastek, Orie & Orie are Toast!
What will matter
Politics makes strange bed partners. Could you imagine a WECHT/Buchanan ticket versus CORBETT/Specter? Either way it would be business as usual? Main issues could be stretch marks and earmarks! Feast Eddie could replace Arlen in the U>S>Senate by acclamation of both parties. Obama still detests him, but he can learn to move on.
Anonymous said...This alone shows Corbett was not even qualified to know how to gather evidence in the Constitutional right way.
January 13, 2010 1:39 PM
This is what happens when you got a right to remain silent as long as you can stand the pain!
What Corbett and his Wayward OAG Boys do not understand, the court doesn't exist to give the OAG justice. The court exists to give the Defendants a chance at justice.
Corbett couldn't hack it as lawyer. Corbett was nothing but a bag man for the Waste Management Boys to become Governor and he still is, soon good people of substance will stand up and tell the entire Commonwealth what others know about him.
Veon's Lawyers are doing the right thing, they should object and challenge to the admission of all Xerox photocopies.
In the interest of justice Veon and his Lawyers cannot accept a copy in preference to the original.
With all due respect, if the Judge is fair he will remove the Emails from evidence.
If not, Dauphin County Common Pleas Judge Richard Lewis will end up being judged going to try Veon's case for the OAG.
If Judge Lewis does permit the Emails Veon's Lawyers are going to say, if you want to try our case, please we wish you wouldn't lose it.
something has been bothering me? If politics is a "dirty business" according to Prosecutor Krastek, then why is he in it if he is so clean? What kind of pension is he getting? Where did he come from? Who are his neighbors? How did he get mixed up with Tom Corbett? Follow the money. Follow the strings.
Isn't wWASTE MANAGEMENT a "dirty business"? Maybe, Persecutor Krastek erred when he said "politics is a dirty business". My pastor, who is now a bishop, once showed me in the Book of Romans, that: Public officials are ministers of the Gospel. Am I confused or is Herr Krastek confused. Life is not simple in Casablanca anymore.
The real sad thing is Tom Corbett's father was everything a Public Servant used to be.
Old Man Corbett was part of a tradition that had been built by our people to establish honesty and provide for the people.
A tradition that justified the use of those words, the finest Lawmakers in the land.
Yet, on his road to utter destruction and eternal damnation through this sham investigation to become Governor.
Corbett no longer holds on to those values and the people who reflect them.
Corbett has exchanged those values for money from the Power Elites that will end up shaming his entire Father stood for, why sons such as Tom Corbett are put on this earth to trouble their father’s legacies.
This is the life Tom Corbett chose, the life he led carrying water for Garbage Executives, and there is only one guarantee, none of those people that do such things will ever see heaven.
A man of honor always pays his debt and keeps his word, and he is not run by opening bell on Wall Street.
Corbett has one chance to save himself and that is by saying, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, and I'm sorry to the people's lives he knows he has ruin on his Road to the Governor's Mansion.
Someday when Corbett's own son is asked by people if Tom Corbett was a good man.
Tom Corbett's son will always give them the same answer, He was my father?
My father thought the Jesuits were too left-wing.
He always told me, "I don't care if a man is black, white, red, yellow or polka-dot, or if his family threw him in the garbage at birth or if he started wearing women's clothes at fourteen. If he breaks the law and it crosses my desk, he pays for it. Do you understand?"
Yet, at the very same time, my Father said, always do what you know is right, never think up inventive way of dispensing justice. It can never be the integral part of the job."
So, we someone ask Tom Corbett, if he goes where the case takes his OAG, then why has he passed on Joan Orie Melvin's and her sister Senator Jane Orie?
I can hear Tom Corbett now, "Now, Krastek and Fina listen up, we don't have organized crime in Waste Management And, frankly, we don't want organized crime in Waste Management, we just want to organize it ourselves.
Some lawmakers are indicted before their time so that others can move up that work with us. It's a cornerstone of civilization."
Then Frank Fina charms in, "I thought we go where the case takes us."
Corbett interrupts Fina and says, "Not if it takes you here, you don't."
Krastek nods in approval and says, "This isn't America, Fina. This is Pennsylvania, as Jane Orie listens in by Telephone Speaker.
Jane Orie adds, "Remember Fina, the only guys me and my sister know are Judges and bad guys, we are the Judges, Fina, and we appoint them and elect them.
Get it!
I wonder if Frank Fina will do the right thing once he finds out how he has been used and compromised?
Someday when this is all over someone will ask Tom Corbett, when you mishandled the Attorney General' Office was you doing it as your hobby or your profession to become Governor for Waste Management?
I think I can hear Corbett's answer right now, "To get paid to do what you love to do to ruin people, ain't that the dream of all garbage in the end?
Here is what I hate, all those 4,000 pages of Grand Jury Documents sent to many newspapers.
All those 67,000 pages of documents sent to Veon's Lawyers will be hauled away by Waste Management yet another way, Corbett works for Waste Management while collecting a State Payback Paycheck?
Has Corbett ever investigated Waste Management as if he has investigated Waste Management competitors?
Waste Management used to be given big fines for putting garbage from New York into mines, until Corbett became Attorney General.
Coincidence or political plan to create more pollution for Pennsylvania?
Frank Fina has just one last chance to do something right, the weak have got to have something to fight for, if Frank Fina wants to be a failure, then Frank should do it someplace else.
The OAG will not be able to hide the truths from the Jury, Veon's Lawyers will say,
"Today you are the law. You are the law. Not some book. Not the Attorney General. Not a marble statue or the trappings of the court. See, those are just symbols of our desire to be just. They are, They are, in fact, a prayer.
A fervent and a frightened prayer for you do make up your own minds and see my clients are not to lose their freedoms for cannon fodder for an ambitious political candidate for governor!
It's only with the heart that one can see clearly. What's essential, is invisible to the eye. Every man every man has to go through hell to reach paradise. You can trust in me cause I'm the do right man.
I never started wearing dresses until I was 15. God knows they were never polka-dot, maybe a dotted Swiss once in a while, but those big dots, they just weren't me. But, by the time I was 17, I had been tutored by the Jesuits and I soon learned that THE END JUSTIFIETH THE MEANS. It was later on in life that I realized that I had been a man who was taught by the double standard.
I never started wearing dresses until I was 15. God knows they were never polka-dot, maybe a dotted Swiss once in a while, but those big dots, they just weren't me. But, by the time I was 17, I had been tutored by the Jesuits and I soon learned that THE END JUSTIFIETH THE MEANS. It was later on in life that I realized that I had been a man who was taught by the double standard.
MIKE VEON should run for GOVERNOR.
When he is acquitted by a jury of his peers, there will still be time for him to collect signatures and file petitions to be on the ballot. Wouldn't that derial the train as it pulls into Strawberry Square?
The People of Pennsylvania are not dumb and they will rally behind MIKE VEON because they who have been victimized will recognize a victim when they see one, just as they recognize an opportunist. The voters will take the opportunity to reject the opportunist.
Can I make the point please?...regardless of what anyone thinks of the Bonusgate investigation, Mike Veon was dumped on his ASS by his hometown, long before this investigation...the thought of him running for any other office is laughable at best.
Anonymous said...Can I make the point please?...regardless of what anyone thinks of the Bonusgate investigation, Mike Veon was dumped on his ASS by his hometown, long before this investigation...the thought of him running for any other office is laughable at best.
January 14, 2010 9:32 AM
Mike Veon was worshipped in his Hometown all of his life. He came from a fine family. He was quiet and just put his nose to his work.
Mike Veon worked very hard every day, often being in the Capitol at 2 AM and sleeping on a couch and back at work at 8 AM.
Now when Wall Street and Corporate CEO were making millions before the economic crash. Mike honestly felt he deserved more pay for his hard work.
Mike refused to compromise his stance, believed he could explain why to the electorate, and refused to vote no after all lawmakers saw how angry the public rejected the pay proposal passed at 3 AM.
Mike refused to be a hypocrite he actually believed he deserved that pay increase because he was working 18-hour days.
Mike now admits that was a personal and political mistake, he was not a Part-Time lawmaker like most, he cared but the people did not know how Mike worked so hard.
Tom Corbett saw the anger and in spite knowing the entire legislature, senate, and he did campaign work on state time and in case federal time, he only went after a few for his political gain.
Mike won the Primary but lost the General Election and truly felt betrayed by his District after working so hard for them.
Mike stood tall, admitted his mistakes, and took the election defeat like a man.
Yet, he now has to fight for his freedom based on Nazi Fear Tactics of Runaway Grand Juries. When it ends in a hung jury or acquittal Mike has every right to fight back for his reputation and life as a Public Servant.
Mike admits his political mistake, but Tom Corbett and the OAG have to be held accountable for his intentional criminal misdeeds of misusing his office, oath, attorney ethical code, and staffs for his own political gain and that is more criminal than anything Veon did and other lawmakers are accused of by Corbett.
Tom Corbett should have resign as the Attorney General the day he ran for Governor or not have run for Governor the day he stared these investigations 4 years ago. Corbett
Even some Tom Corbett's biggest backers are backing Democrats now in fear of the revelations that will come out on Corbett after he wins the Republican Nomination for Governor.
In the end, when Mike is set free he will come back and win back his Hometown support if he chooses because the entire story will be coming out.
All I say is true, and will come out soon.
I don't know who has the biggest delusion of self-granduer here - Veon, DeWeese, or LaGrotta (who seems to have gone batshit insane over on his blog)
Mike was so busy, I guess that's why he needed staff to fly all over the country and pick up his motorcycles...he couldn't win an election for dog catcher.
"Anonymous said...I don't know who has the biggest delusion of self-granduer here - Veon, DeWeese, or LaGrotta (who seems to have gone batshit insane over on his blog)
January 14, 2010 12:30 PM"
I know the real people never ever have delusions, they live to protect their wealth, they do not play the game, they change the rules for the games.
Corbett struggled at the Pennsylvania Society to raise money, he is struggling now, the power people know something Corbett does not know right now.
Let it unfold, watch and see, and it is all about timing, if Corbett was a shoe, the contributions would be rolling in, and they ain't, so what does that tell you.
laughable, my aas, what is inconceivable is that the public is not clamoring at the gates when Tom Corbett has the audacity to use the public and exploit the
justice system to get elected. I know Beaver County and I know that it is a microcosm of Pennsylvania.
Mike Veon will be acquitted. When he is, he shall run for GOVERNOR.
And yes, it will be a train wreck.
The derailment of Tom Corbett>s FREE RIDE on the Taxpayer>s dlme.
Anonymous knows that the
Anonymous is very perceptive to know that the POWERFUL PEOPLE know that there is something soon to be revealed about TOM CORBETT.
The people are not dumb, they too, realize that TOM CORBETT is promoting himself at the TAXPAYER<S EXPENSE.
Anonymous said "I know Beaver County and I know that it is a microcosm of Pennsylvania."
Right...Beaver County voted for McCain/Palin, PA overwhelmingly elected Obama...right, a microcosm.
Here's the sad truth: Mike Veon will be found guilty on all charges because he's GUILTY...so is his lackey Cott...stick a fork in 'em, they're done.
Maybe they can watch Corbett's inauguration on tv in the cell block rec room.
What is the worse part is that the Staffers were not paid Bonuses for Campaign Work, they were paid mostly because they wwere dedicated Employees, staying late, answering District Citizens needs.
As seen in the Emails, many of the employees did not expect or even know they were given Bonuses.
This all could been corrected if the AG was interested in doing the right thing, instead Corbett saw an opportunity for political gain on some at best can call mistaken judgment and instead of using the Ethic Act Corbett thought ruining the lives with no Criminal intent was a better way.
The Juror will see through it.
Onarato will kick Corbett's ass all over Beaver County. When the smoke clears you will see Beaver Falls will be behind him. And Hillary won the Primary. WHEN THE TRIALS ARE OVER AND THE BATTLE HAS BEEN WON.HE<LL UNDERSTAND AND SAY "WELL DONE."
Legislation Could Open Locked Doors of Grand Jury Process
Posted: Jun 12, 2007
Raleigh, N.C. — A grand jury thought Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong had enough evidence to indict three Duke Lacrosse players for rape, a conclusion that Nifong himself eventually abandoned.
There is no way, however, to go back and review how the grand jury got to its conclusion. There is no record of who said what.
A push at the General Assembly could change that in some cases, especially bribery, political corruption and murder.
It would bring a change in what is now a process wrapped in secrecy.
Even after grand jurors finish their six- or 12-month terms of service, they cannot legally talk about the evidence or information they reviewed in cases.
In April 2006, defense attorney Joe Cheshire used the indictments of the Duke lacrosse players, one of whom he represented, to bring attention to the grand jury process.
"A grand jury would indict a ham sandwich for the death of a pig," Cheshire told WRAL reporter Amanda Lamb then.
That's because a grand jury of 18 ordinary citizens hears only the prosecutor's side of the story.
They are sworn to secrecy and they meet behind closed doors.
"It's not a balanced perspective by any means," argues Raleigh defense attorney Robert Nunley. “There's no recording of what was said to that grand jury."
Consider the case of 18-year-old Peyton Strickland, who grew up in Durham.
He was gunned down while New Hanover County sheriff’s deputies were trying to serve him with a robbery warrant at his apartment in Wilmington, where he went to UNC.
The bullets went through a door. A grand jury returned a true bill of indictment against Deputy Christopher Long for second-degree murder, but after Long was arraigned and the case was on the news, the grand jury foreman contacted the courthouse to say the paperwork had been marked incorrectly.
The grand jury said it had not mean to indict the deputy.
Phone conversations with grand jurors, who spoke to WRAL off the record, indicate they were confused about their authority and whether they could indict on a lesser charge.
There’s no way, however, to review how a grand jury said it mistakenly indicted a deputy.
"I think it needs modernizing," Wake County District Attorney Colon Willoughby said of the process.
"I think it's a very tough assignment. We don't give them (grand jurors) any training or background, and it probably isn't fair to them," Willoughby added.
What is a plea bargain?
It is an agreement between the prosecutor and the accused in which the accused pleads guilty in exchange for a lesser sentence or a reduced charge. About 95 percent of all felony convictions in the United States are the result of plea bargains.
Almost everyone acknowledges that the system would collapse if every case that was filed were to be set for trial; there is not enough money to try every case.
Experts point out some other benefits of pleas. Law professor Bruce Green says, "It… is in some ways fairer to witnesses and prospective jurors.
Imagine if in all these cases, the victims and witnesses had to come to court to testify. And in all these cases, people had to leave their jobs in order to serve on juries.
That would be very onerous for the public." Other experts note that pleas can get the accused out from under some harsh mandatory minimum sentences and rigid federal sentencing guidelines. And law professor Jonathan Oberman points out, "… [a plea bargain] certainly is a good thing for someone who is guilty, someone who has factually done that which he or she is charged with doing, who is confronted with overwhelming evidence, and where the state is inclined to make some kind of offer because they would not want to put the victim, or families of the victim, or put the state, to the cost of proving the case at trial."
What is the downside of plea bargains?
The downside for the defense is that the accused is giving up the right to have 12 people hear all the evidence and test the prosecution's evidence against the defendant.
The downside for the community is that it doesn't get to have a process which attempts to get at the truth of what really happened in the case. And, the plea bargaining system can be abused: It can extract guilty pleas from absolutely innocent people who plead guilty to charges they did not commit because they can't afford the risk of going to trial.
Law professor Stephen Schulhofer offers this general critique of the system: "The major problem with plea bargaining is that it forces the party into a situation where they have to take a guess about what the evidence is, about how strong the case might be, and they have to make that guess against the background of enormously severe penalties if you guess wrong. So defendants, even if they have strong defenses, and even if they are innocent, in fact face enormous pressure to play the odds and to accept a plea. And the more likely they are to be innocent, and the more strong their defenses are, the bigger discount and the bigger benefits the prosecutor will offer them. Eventually at some point it becomes so tempting that it might be irresistible, especially when the consequences of guessing wrong are disastrous.
"So the result is that the system as a whole doesn't do what we count on it to do, which is to sort out the guilty people from the innocent people. It doesn't do that because the guilty people and the innocent people are all faced with the same pressure to plead guilty."
After a defendant takes a guilty plea, can it later be withdrawn?
The actions that an individual can take to withdraw a guilty plea depend on how much time has passed since the plea was made. There is likely to be a short period of time during which a defendant may move to withdraw his or her guilty plea.
After that, he or she may be able to appeal, or to seek state and federal post-conviction relief, or to seek executive clemency. The defendant should consult a lawyer about these possibilities if he or she can afford to do so.
If the accused cannot afford a lawyer, the first call should probably be to the local public defender agency. Even if this agency cannot help, it may be able to direct the defendant to other resources. A few states, like Indiana, provide lawyers in post-conviction proceedings who could file a habeas corpus attacking the plea.
A few others, like New York and Massachusetts, have prisoner legal services organizations that might be helpful. There are also law school programs here and there, and national and state "innocence projects" also may be able to help in exceptional cases. Here is a list of innocence projects in the U.S. which has been compiled by the Northwestern University School of Law.
After a defendant takes a guilty plea, can it later be withdrawn?
The actions that an individual can take to withdraw a guilty plea depend on how much time has passed since the plea was made. There is likely to be a short period of time during which a defendant may move to withdraw his or her guilty plea. After that, he or she may be able to appeal, or to seek state and federal post-conviction relief, or to seek executive clemency. The defendant should consult a lawyer about these possibilities if he or she can afford to do so.
If the accused cannot afford a lawyer, the first call should probably be to the local public defender agency. Even if this agency cannot help, it may be able to direct the defendant to other resources. A few states, like Indiana, provide lawyers in post-conviction proceedings who could file a habeas corpus attacking the plea. A few others, like New York and Massachusetts, have prisoner legal services organizations that might be helpful. There are also law school programs here and there, and national and state "innocence projects" also may be able to help in exceptional cases. Here is a list of innocence projects in the U.S. which has been compiled by the Northwestern University School of Law.
Also worth checking out is the National Legal Aid & Defender Association and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Corrupt Pennsylvania Judges Withdraw Guilty Pleas
Jacob Sullum | September 3, 2009
Last week Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan, the former Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, judges who admitted taking millions of dollars in kickbacks from the operator of two juvenile detention centers, withdrew their guilty pleas after a federal judge rejected their agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office. Under that deal, which called for sentences of about seven years each, Ciavarella and Conahan pleaded guilty to tax evasion and honest services fraud (which federal law defines as a "scheme or artifice to deprive another [in this case, taxpayers] of the intangible right of honest services"). But they never admitted the most outrageous aspects of their scheme, which seems to be why U.S. District Judge Edwin Kosik rejected the plea agreement.
As chief judge of Luzerne County, Conahan arranged for PA Child Care to be the county's exclusive supplier of juvenile detention services, while Ciavarella, as the county's juvenile court judge, kept the company's jails full. Meanwhile, according to their plea agreement, they received $2.6 million from the company and hid the money from the IRS. Yet they did not acknowledge the obvious quid pro quo. The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that Conahan refused to "discuss the motivation for his conduct with federal probation officials," who deemed his post-plea behavior "scandalous." Ciavarella, who had a reputation for dealing harshly and peremptorily with juvenile defendants and for denying them their right to counsel, nevertheless has insisted that the money from PA Child Care did not influence the sentences he imposed. (The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has expunged the records of some 6,500 defendants who appeared before Ciavarella between 2003 and 2008.) In rejecting their plea deal, Kosik cited Conahan and Ciavarella's failure to accept responsibility for their crimes.
The good news, for those who thought the seven-year prison terms were too light, is that Conahan and Ciavarella could end up with longer sentences. Assuming they do not reach a new plea agreement that meets with Kosik's approval, federal prosecutors are sure to pile on the charges in any indictment they issue. The most obvious additional charge is bribery, but other possibilities include mail fraud, money laundering, and racketeering. The bad news is that proving these charges will be a complicated, time-consuming, and uncertain process, during which two judges who grossly perverted justice for profit presumably will remain free and continue to draw their pensions.
Previous Reason coverage of this case here. The Philadelphia-based Juvenile Law Center, which was instrumental in exposing Ciavarella's mistreatment of juvenile defendants, has more here. The U.S. Attorney's Office has a website devoted to "Luzerne County Corruption Prosecutions" here.
HOW TO WITHDRAW A GUILTY PLEA IN PENNSYLVANIA
http://www.co.beaver.pa.us/ElectedOfficals/ClerkOfCourts/Forms/Guilty_plea.pdf
Prosecutorial ethics: the duty to disclose exculpatory material.
Prosecutor, Journal of the National District Attorneys Association | January 1, 2008 | Sinha, Hans P. | COPYRIGHT 2008 National District Attorneys Association. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information) Copyright
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INTRODUCTION
THIS IS THE SECOND ARTICLE IN A SERIES that examines the ethical rules and professional standards applicable to prosecutors. The goal is to provide guidance and information as to the more common ethical and professional concerns a prosecutor is faced with in executing his duties. The first article discussed the ethical and professional duties surrounding a prosecutor's charging decision. It did so by examining section (a) of Rule 3.8 of the Model Rules of Professional Responsibility. This article addresses section (d), the duty to disclose exculpatory ...
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-186516776.html
Gentlemen WE ARE AT DEFCON 2!
Anonymous said...
laughable, my aas, what is inconceivable is that the public is not clamoring at the gates when Tom Corbett has the audacity to use the public and exploit the
justice system to get elected.
January 14, 2010 6:03 PM
Oh, that is coming, they are just waiting until he is the candidate, then they will pouce.
All planned out, I am told!
guzzardi knows what he's talking about. The voters are ready to pounce on CORBETT. I think that is why he is working so hard to eliminate his opposition because he knows that he cannot win if qualifications are compared. I also wonder how he will handle the fact thaT HE RANKS WAY UP HIGH ON THE LIST WHEN IT COMES TO DONATIONS FROM THE ORGANIZED GAMBLING INTERESTS. dOESN'T THAT SEEM A BIT of a conflict to you< mr> and mrs> pennsylvania taxp{ayer.???
egUZZARDI SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT. eSPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THEM GETTING READY TO POUNCE ON CORBETT ONCE HE IS THE CANDIDATE. eVERYTHING HE HAS SAID SEEMS TO BE ON TARGET. i CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW CORBETT CAN EXPECT TO GET ELECTED WHEN HE RANKS WAY UP THERE IN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE ORGANIZED GAMBLING INTERESTS. hOW CAN HE BE RUNNING ALL THESE TRIALS AND TAKING ALL THESE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THEM AT THE SAME TIME? tHAT SEEMS TO BE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST TO ME. sURELY MR & MRS PENNSYLVANIA TAXPAYER THINK IT IS A CONFLICT, TOO.
turn the beat around...What makes you so sure Corbett won,t be watchin the new governor bein sworn in from the rec room of a cell block? Assume nothing for it will only make an ass out of you.
woroms have ways of turning. If the just do the right thing...could be true...follow the money...86,000 is a lot...even for a statewide officer...IF a messenger got 86,000, imagine what the powerful get?
Thomas Nast got Boss Tweed
All because he had greed.
Pendergast he had his vice
But Tom never got the prize.
I know a thing or two about predatory behavior and what once was a legitimate Office of Attorney General is now being used on weaker people too poor to fight back.
Just because the road is rocky doesn't mean your spirits should get rocky, too. The fact is This ain't Dodge City. And Corbett ain't Bill Hickock!
It is going to be very unusual, ordering the termination of Pennsylvnia Public Servants clearly loyal to their Party and in the process of bringing a known crimnal to justice soon to be known to the Republican Party.
Something is always happing but when it happens, people don't always see it or understand it, or accept it. Ain't nobody can see anythin' clear anymore.
There are moments which mark your life. Moments when you realize nothing will ever be the same, and time is divided into two parts- before this, and after this.
Indictements must be answered by Indicetments!
Corbett most famous line is, "So this is what a courtroom looks like."
Yesterday he was swimming up to his waste with Waste Management and today he's leaping tall buildings in a single bound while campaigning on state time.
What was it exactly those Guilty Pleaders and Immunity Witneses ere going to tell on the stand?
I believe they were going to tell, under oath, that they have absolutely no recollection of anything whatsoever, some strong witnesses.
If not they will lie as they were trained to cover up their own mistakes abd blame us.
The very best Lawyers will always tell you that a jury trial is not just about the law. It's about assigning blame.
In the end, the real job is to make sure you do your job. The OAG will soon hear, "I'm special council for internall affairs, so my 'jurisdiction' is pretty much in your face!"
It doesn’t matter what people or jurors will believe it only matters what Lawyers can prove or not prove.
On Tuesday, as the Veon case goes to court, the Deputy Attorney Generals thinks Veon won't need a lawyer, he'll need a priest.
Yet, Veon will have the Lawyers he needs, but the Attorney General will find he has none.
Then the real fun will begin to find some for themselves.
Reminds me of our friends, the jesuits, in Candide when the priest heard the conession of the savages and then thesavage said to the priest "and now I shall hear your confession." Vive l'France---
long live voltaire---There is
hope in CASABLANCA, Herr Strasser.
The innuendo and old attacks
have once again come swiftly back.
Attacks on friends, colleagues of old
in hopes their stories won't be told
suggestions, threats of treachery,
in hopes that they withdraw their plea
it all begins in five days time
began when someone dropped a dime
he said, she said, they will avail
but they shouldn't have sent it through e-mail.
desperation in the final hours
fears of walls and guards in towers
posts and blogs and flat out lies
won't save you in the people eyes
those of you who had begun it
should have just said "yes, i done it"
"Anonymous said...those of you who had begun it should have just said "yes, i done it" January 15, 2010 11:57 AM"
Does that include Corbett, Corbett's Staffers, Jane and Joan Orie Melvin, Bob Jubelirer, Mike Long, Stan Smith too.....or ask why so long and no charges towards Corbett's Friends?
It should incude everybody that done it or the Jurors eyes will see the Corbett Justice Net full of Holes!
Judge hears arguments on Bonusgate e-mail admissibility
Friday, January 15, 2010
By Tracie Mauriello, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
HARRISBURG -- A judge heard arguments today about whether thousands of e-mails should be admitted as evidence in the legislative corruption trial scheduled next week.
The validity of some 60,000 e-mail messages is at the center of a pretrial fight in the case against former state Rep. Mike Veon.
Defense attorneys for the former Beaver County legislator say at least some of the e-mails should be excluded because they were obtained from state Rep. Bill DeWeese. Mr. Veon's attorneys claim that Mr. DeWeese was a co-conspirator and had an opportunity to exclude some messages and therefore they shouldn't be admitted as evidence.
Expert computer witness Gregory Kelley testified today about computer forensics, saying that without a hard drive it's difficult to authenticate the veracity of e-mail messages.
Prosecutors argued that excluding the messages could jeopardize their whole case against Mr. Veon and former legislative aides Brett Cott, Stephen Keefer and Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink. Their trial is set to begin on Tuesday. The defendants are accused of illegally diverting state workers and legislative resources for campaigning and other purposes.
Mr. Veon represented Beaver County in the Legislature for 22 years. He is among 25 people charged so far in the ongoing Bonusgate investigation, which has resulted in 25 arrests, seven guilty pleas and one acquittal.
Dauphin County Common Pleas Judge Richard Lewis said he will not rule until next week on whether the e-mail messages are admissible.
He also did not rule on a motion by Michael Palermo, defense attorney for Ms. Perretta-Rosepink, to ban social media from the courtroom. His motion used Post-Gazette tweets to illustrate what he said was the risk that sequestered witnesses could learn what was occurring in the courtroom. Lawyers for the Post-Gazette will argue against such a ban.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10015/1028558-100.stm#ixzz0ciRznbN7
Tirade concludes Bonusgate hearing
Saturday, January 16, 2010
By Tracie Mauriello, Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau
HARRISBURG -- An explosive, profanity-laced outburst capped off a daylong hearing on pretrial motions in the government corruption case known as Bonusgate.
Bryan Walk, attorney for defendant Brett Cott, lashed into Senior Deputy Attorney General Patrick Blessington during a dispute over alleged inappropriate contact of his client. A courtroom officer from the Dauphin County sheriff's office stood between the two to keep them apart as Mr. Walk screamed at Mr. Blessington, "Get out of my face! Who do you think you are?"
Mr. Blessington had no audible response, but gave an exaggerated yawn and walked away.
The confrontation followed a sidebar before Dauphin County Judge Richard A. Lewis at the end of six-hour motion hearing yesterday.
In an interview moments later, Mr. Walk accused Mr. Blessington of contacting one of his clients who could be called as a witness in the case. According to Mr. Walk, Mr. Blessington suggested the woman get another attorney because it would be a conflict of interest for Mr. Walk to represent both her and Mr. Cott.
"I don't know why he did that. I don't know what his problem is," Mr. Walk said.
Mr. Blessington declined to comment, but Senior Deputy Attorney General Marc Costanzo later called Mr. Walk's allegations false and improper.
"If a witness was represented by him in the past and is confident in going into trial against him ... that's her business," Mr. Costanzo said.
Neither Mr. Walk nor Mr. Costanzo would identify the client.
Also yesterday, Mr. Lewis heard arguments about whether some 60,000 e-mail messages should be entered into evidence.
The messages are considered crucial in prosecutors' case against Mr. Cott, former state Rep. Mike Veon and former aides Stephen Keefer and Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink.
Pittsburgh defense attorney Joel Sansone argued to exclude the messages because they were obtained from state Rep. Bill DeWeese, who they claim was a co-conspirator and had the opportunity to exclude messages that might implicate himself or clear others. He also would have had the opportunity to alter messages.
Chief Deputy Attorney General Christopher Carusone countered that there is "not a shred of proof ... that Rep. DeWeese altered any of these e-mails."
CONTINUED FROM ABOVE.....
Mr. Sansone said defendants have had no opportunity to determine whether messages had been altered because they don't have access to hard drives from which they were culled.
Expert witness Gregory Kelley testified about computer forensics, saying that without a hard drive it's difficult to authenticate where e-mail messages originated and whether anyone edited them.
Judge Lewis expects to rule on the motion Tuesday, first day of jury selection.
He also delayed ruling on a motion to ban real-time posting of courtroom testimony on social networking sites such as Twitter.
Michael Palermo, attorney for Ms. Perretta-Rosepink filed the motion saying exposure to such postings could influence prospective witnesses and help them align their testimony during the trial.
"It defeats the entire purpose of sequestration," argued Mr. Palermo.
During arguments yesterday he went a step further, suggesting that the court should preventing media outlets from posting information about testimony to any Internet sites between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on trial days.
His motion was prompted by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Twitter posts during a preliminary hearing last year on a related corruption case also involving Mr. Veon. Sequestered witnesses had been following the courtroom tweets as they waited to testify.
Not all defense attorneys agree with Mr. Palermo's motion.
William Fetterhoff, attorney for Mr. Keefer, said it would be more appropriate for the "court to simply order the witnesses scheduled to appear not to read [accounts of] this trial regardless of where they appear or what format."
Lawyers for the Post-Gazette will argue against the proposed ban. Other media outlets are expected to join in opposition.
Tracie Mauriello can be reached at tmauriello@post-gazette.com or 717-787-2141. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pgpolitweets.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10016/1028770-454.stm#ixzz0cn1ZluCT
There Is No Way Those Emails Should Be Admitted, They Are Tainted, Unreliable, And Cannot Be Proven They Are The Originals.
This Is The Entire Problem With The Attorney Generals Investigation And The Grand Jury.
The Attorney General Did Not Record The Grand Jury Unlike District Attorney Zappala Did Knowing It Is Important To Get To The Full Truth Before You Write The Presentments.
These Unauthenticated Emails Were Actually Used As To Blackmail Hdcc Employees Into Guilty Plea, Immunity Witnesses To Grab Other Selected Targets Of The Investigations While Others Go Free Based On Attorney General Corbett's Political Winds And Whims.
Those Emails Must Be Held Inadmissible As Poisonous Fruits From The Poisonous Tree Of Illegally Gathered Evidence.
Worse, It Reveals The Incompetence Of The Attorney General And His Staff Of Not Even Knowing How To Gather Evidence Properly And Legally.
Free Veon, Cott, Rosepink-Peretta, And Keefer Ad Begin The Process Of Having All Guilty Pleaders Withdraw Their Pleas.
If Judge Lewis rejects the Defense Motion to remove the Unauthenticated Emails, it should be Appeal to Superior and Supreme Courts that will take 7 to 9 months, and in my opinion will be overruled.
Furthermore, Justice delayed is justice denied, and this should benefit Veon and Cott and all Defendants and those charged.
If the Emails are gone as they should be from the cases, the Guilty Pleaders, should withdraw their pleas, and Corbett's OAG will
have bigger trouble prosecuting them too.
All can file lawsuits and get their Pensions or jobs back or compensation if a settlement is worked out not to rehire them, plus Attorney Fees Paid by the State.
Corbett himself will be happy if such delays occur, because he can still run saying the Judges are deciding and by that, time the election is nearly or is over.
I love Mike Veon and his charge for justice and the American Way, and his band of loyal immortals like Cott, Keefer, and Rosepink-Peretta.
In time, Corbett will have to explain the waste of millions based on his faulty and unfair investigation, and even his own friends not indicted will secretly be pleased Corbett's work was full of mistakes and outright falsehoods.
Only the Perzel gang will be held on different charges, and of course, Jane Orie and the Jane Orie Melvin Judge gang caught too.
In fact, if Zappala Grand Jury implicates Jane Orie and Republican Judges, they may not be able to rule on the Emails as Superior and Supreme Court Judges.
The longer the delays and faster it all goes away, the better for everyone, but Corbett still ruined many lives, reputations, and careers when there was a better way to resolve these ethical matters at best, never criminal intent to defraud the commonwealth.
Fairness must prevail and it will not winds of ambitions on the backs of good people that did their jobs for the people.
I agree with the above analysis about the emails, it is clear Tom Corbett dropped the ball and did use these emails against people of goodwill that could not muster the money to fight back.
Corbett and his staff knew this is about politics not crimes, hope Zappala holds them accountable as the Jane Orie political operation falls back on the Republicans.
HARRISBURG -- An attorney for former Democratic Whip Mike Veon said Friday he intends to call former House Speaker Bill DeWeese as a witness at Veon's trial and suggested DeWeese was a leading co-conspirator in the legislative bonus scandal.
"If crimes were committed, not only is Mr. DeWeese a co-conspirator, he's the king," said Dan Raynak, Veon's lawyer. Raynak said he didn't know whether DeWeese, D-Waynesburg, would invoke his Fifth Amendment right not to testify.
Walter Cohen, an attorney for DeWeese, said he did not know of a possible subpoena to compel his client to testify. DeWeese, who faces criminal charges in a separate case, could not be reached.
Veon faces felony charges for allegedly using state tax dollars for campaigns, including paying bonuses to legislative staffers for political work. Jury selection begins Tuesday, but Dauphin County Judge Richard Lewis delayed testimony until Feb. 1 to give the defense time to prepare.
Raynak suggested DeWeese, who once presided over the Democratic caucus in tandem with Veon, will be a defense target. DeWeese is not charged in the bonus case.
Raynak mentioned an e-mail from House Democratic staffer Karen Steiner to DeWeese, thanking him for providing a bonus for campaign work. "U R welcome," DeWeese replied.
A former minority and majority leader, DeWeese was the top elected official in the Democratic Caucus while Veon was No. 2. DeWeese, still a legislator, repeatedly has denied knowledge of the $1 million-plus bonus program. Voters ousted Veon in 2006.
Last month, the attorney general's office charged DeWeese with six felony counts for allegedly running his political campaigns out of his Harrisburg and district offices. He and three others charged in that case maintain their innocence.
On trial with Veon are Annamarie Peretta-Rosepink, who ran his district office in Beaver Falls; Harrisburg aide Brett Cott; and Stephen Keefer, who ran the information technology department for Democrats.
Defense lawyers asked Lewis to throw out e-mail evidence because prosecutors gave them only selected messages. Veon's lawyers say they need to review an entire e-mail string, not portions. Prosecutors argue the e-mails speak for themselves and witnesses corroborate them. Lewis said he would rule on the e-mails Tuesday.
Michael Palermo, a Carlisle attorney representing Peretta-Rosepink, asked the court to prevent the use of Twitter in the courtroom. Palermo argued that news snippets filed on Twitter updated sequestered witnesses during a preliminary hearing. Lewis is considering that request.
Veon was one of 12 defendants charged in July 2008 with theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest. Seven defendants pleaded guilty last week. A jury acquitted former Rep. Sean Ramaley of Baden of charges he held a "ghost job" in Veon's office.
Ten Republicans face criminal charges for allegedly diverting $10million in tax money for sophisticated computer systems to give the GOP an edge in elections.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/state/s_662532.html
Anonymous said "I love Mike Veon and his charge for justice and the American Way, and his band of loyal immortals like Cott, Keefer, and Rosepink-Peretta."
Bwahahahahahahahahahahah!!!!!!!
"Charge for justice"?...that's what handing out $4 million in taxpayer dillars to your "loyal immortals" is called these days?
Anonymous said....Bwahahahahahahahahahahah!!!!!!! "Charge for justice"?...that's what handing out $4 million in taxpayer dillars to your "loyal immortals" is called these days?
January 17, 2010 9:52 AM"
Bonuses were given for many reasons, and until AG Corbett investigates everyone asking, taking and being given Bonuses, he cannot say he is investigating such things.
Corbett has not look into his Republican Senate Friends taking such bonuses and actually hired some for his campaign and this is over 4 years now.
When announces not just the start of the senate investigation but the results especially before the Primary Election, we may learn the truth?
Until then, Corbett's is not practicing an equality of justice but a blind justice that avoids his staffers and friends.
"Defense lawyers asked Lewis to throw out e-mail evidence because prosecutors gave them only selected messages. Veon's lawyers say they need to review an entire e-mail string, not portions. Prosecutors argue the e-mails speak for themselves and witnesses corroborate them. Lewis said he would rule on the e-mails Tuesday."
Having witnesses already on the record for lying and hiding evidence and directing the breaking of laws to corroborate emails that cannot be checked as originals is having a thousand Steve Webb's telling the jury he lies most of the time.
The same for Immunity Witnesses that will tell lies about others to avoid admitting they directed the illegal acts themselves is laughable under oath.
Even worse, the Prosecution of Incompetence will only want a few Emails selected and admitted, but ignore the fact these have been authenticated.
It is not just unfair it is unconstitutional!
"HARRISBURG -- An attorney for former Democratic Whip Mike Veon said Friday he intends to call former House Speaker Bill DeWeese as a witness at Veon's trial and suggested DeWeese was a leading co-conspirator in the legislative bonus scandal. "If crimes were committed, not only is Mr. DeWeese a co-conspirator, he's the king," said Dan Raynak, Veon's lawyer. Raynak said he didn't know whether DeWeese, D-Waynesburg, would invoke his Fifth Amendment right not to testify. January 17, 2010 8:48 AM"
This is just plain out stupidity.
Mike Manzo lies to Bill DeWeese on what he was doing, is investigated by HDC Special Counsel, Manzo admits he lied on his own, and then is fired, then pleas guilty admitting he broke the law, and then testify against Ramaley and now Veon, and Veon Defense Lawyers blame DeWeese and expect to exonerate Veon?
The Defense Lawyers have a wonderful opportunity to establish how these Emails were gathered with DeWeese and the HDC Lawyers, and instead of working on how they should not be admitted, they are working on how they will be verified to the detriment of their clients.
When it is the Office of the Attorney General that did not acquire all the emails under proper color of law, and DeWeese and Chadwick were under no obligation to tell the OAG how to do it right.
Veon Lawyers should be suing DeWeese to bolster their case not try to say he is part of the OAG Case. This almost is Legal Malpractice.
All and any agreements DeWeese HDC had with the OAG in cooperating are gone now that DeWeese has been indicted too.
It was up to the OAG to gather the evidence properly with constitutional procedures, and it was not the obligation of DeWeese's Lawyers to pint it out if they did it wrong.
Veon Lawyers should be talking to DeWeese's Lawyers to augment their defense not undermine it.
They might think this is great Public Relations in trying the case in Newspapers, but t hold up in a Court Room and Rules of Evidence and gathering of Evidence.
It is DeWeese that can prove that the OAG Evidence gathering was flawed on what the OAG wanted, not that the OAG did it the right way.
Raynack has blown this opportunity in helping his clients, in my opinion.
What I Cannot Understand Is Why Judge Lewis Would Even Rule On This Motion To Remove The Emails So Late Before The Start Of The Trials On Tuesday.
In Most Courts, Judges Having To Weigh Pre-Trial Motions Before Trial Set Deadlines For All Motions.
Yet These Contentions Before So Short Of Jury Selection Is Very Questionable And Unusual.
Even If Ruled In Favor Of The Defendants Then The Oag Will Need Time To Adjust Their Case.
If Ruled Any Other Way In Whole Or Part Of The Emails Being Excluded, Then Veon Lawyers Should Appeal Such A Decision.
Very Strange, And In All Reality, This Means The Pennsylvania Judiciary Will Now Be Involved In The Ultimate Fate Of Veon's Freedom Or Corbett's Election.
Especially With Jane And Joan Orie Melvin Grand Jury Investigations Continuing To Evolve Or More Revelations Coming Out As We All Wait TO SEE WHERE IT LEADS BACK ON TO REPUBLICAN SENATORS, CORBETT HAS NOT INVESTIGATED?
Bwahahahahahahahahahahah!!!!!!!
"Charge for justice"?...that's what handing out $4 million in taxpayer dillars to your "loyal immortals" is called these days?
SORRY, I AM WITH VEON AND TEAM CASA AND HERE IS WHY.
IF THE OAG HAD INVESTIGATED EVERYBODY IN STATE GOVERNMENT ARE THE SAME CHARGES, THEN I WOULD BE FINE WITH EVERYTHING HE DID.
HOWEVER, CORBETT DID NOT AND WILL NOT HOLD ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS ON THE SAME BASIS OF THE EVIDENCE.
NOW SELECTIVE PROSECUTION IN NEVER A DEFENSE, BUT SELECTIVE PERSECUTION FOR PERSONAL POLITICAL GAIN USING STATE RESOURCES TO CLAIM THE OAG IS INVESTIGATING ANYONE THAT VIOLATES THE LAW IS JUST AN OUTRIGHT LIE.
THESE INVESTIGATIONS ARE THE POLITICAL SCANDAL IN THE WAY THEY WERE CONDUCTED, AND CONTINUE TO IGNORE OTHERS AND JUST WHEN CORBETT IS NEAR HIS ELECTION FOR GOVERNOR.
I DO NOT HAVE TO AGREE WITH EVERYTHING VEON DID AND SOME STAFFERS, BUT THEY DO DESERVE A FAIR TRIAL AND HAVE A RIGHT TO CHALLENGE THOSE THAT ARE PROSECUTING THEM FOR THINGS OTHER DID AND ARE NOT CHARGED..
"NOW SELECTIVE PROSECUTION IN NEVER A DEFENSE,"
There should be a period after this statement; No comma, no "buts", just a period. If five people rob a little old lady, and the the prosecution can only make a case against 3 of them. Say the little old lady can't identify 2 of them, what then? Should the prosecution let all of them walk?
This is not "persecution", just plain old prosecution for crimes committed, money stolen from every taxpayer in Pennsylvania.
Did the OAG get every crook that ever worked in the legislature? Hardly, the courts would grind to a halt, if that were to happen.
Life is not always fair, my friends. Your mother should have told you that the first time you came home crying from the playground.
Don't be a ridiculous. There's not a politician in Harrisburg, including Tom Corbett, against whom a "case" could not be made quite easily. It's a simple matter of choice. When the public raised charges of partisanship, Corbett set out to make a case against Republicans. When the public raised questions about Corbett's deal with DeWeese, Corbett set out to make a case against DeWeese.
"When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty"
-Thomas Jefferson
Anonymous said...Did the OAG get every crook that ever worked in the legislature? Hardly, the courts would grind to a halt, if that were to happen. Life is not always fair, my friends. Your mother should have told you that the first time you came home crying from the playground.
January 18, 2010 8:55 AM
I disagree, Corbett only after a few and ignored his friends to date, that is a Political Persecution using State Resources for Prosecutions for his Personal Gain!
Life is not fair, and when it comes back on Corbett's and his friends, you can post again.
Anonymous said...Don't be a ridiculous. There's not a politician in Harrisburg, including Tom Corbett, against whom a "case" could not be made quite easily. It's a simple matter of choice. When the public raised charges of partisanship, Corbett set out to make a case against Republicans. When the public raised questions about Corbett's deal with DeWeese, Corbett set out to make a case against DeWeese.
January 18, 2010 11:07 AM
Corbett is now in Political Land Mine sod, mostly self-created by his poor staffers and their definitions that will go on to catch his own friends.
Wait until Zappala Grand Jury comes out, and Republican Senators and Judges run for Lawyers and the Fifth, followed by OAG Staffers that worked on Elections as defined by Corbett.
Corbett is not the brightest bulb of legal talent and will be exposed by far smarter lawyers.
IRON MIKE!!!
WE ARE AT DEFCON 1, GOOD LUCK MIKE, AND TIME TO RESPOD TO THE LIES IN THE PRESENTMENTS.
Good luck in the trial!
A solid against the odds victory would have an enormous positive benefit for the Democratic Party and for public confidence in the legislature.
Among potential witnesses listed are House Speaker Keith McCall, D-Carbon County, Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-Hazleton, Minority Leader Sam Smith, R-Punxsutawney, and former Senate GOP leaders Robert Jubelirer and David Brightbill. None is accused of wrongdoing.
Western Pennsylvania Democrats on the list include former Majority Leader Bill DeWeese of Waynesburg, Reps. Joe Preston of East Liberty, Dan Frankel of Squirrel Hill, Tony DeLuca of Penn Hills, David Levdansky of Elizabeth, Jake Wheatley of the Hill District and Marc Gergeley of McKeesport.
NO FRANK DERMODY????
TSK, TSK, TSK!
HEY, JUST BECAUSE FRANK CONTRIBUTED TO RETIRE VEON'S DEBT, CLOSE FRIENDS WITH MR. MOON, FRANK'S NAME WAS STILL IN ALL EMAILS RELEASED IN THE PRE-TRIAL MOTIONS???
NOW WHO IS BEING SELECTIVE?????
In many ways the Veon Trial is a referendum not only on the poltical nature of reform but also on the openness and integrity of Pennsylvania government process.
It is vital that Veon's Trial will restore the respect of The Commonwealth people in our system of government and in our leaders.
To that end, it is certain that Veon's Lawyers believe it would only be fair and prudent that they call the necessary former and elected officials under oath to find out how they ran their campaigns since the OAG has ot had the time to investigate them after 4 years.
Way to go Mike, Godspeed!
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