Breaking his nearly three year silence, Mike Veon sat down with KDKA's Jon Delano for an interview earlier this week. You can watch the uncut, in-depth discussion here.Veon may be speaking out, but gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett has been mum on why he pulled his "ace" prosecutor, Tony Krastek, from the bonusgate trials.
Of course, it isn't surprising, given Krastek's recent record. His flubbing the first preliminary hearing in the related Beaver Initiative for Growth case and then taking the lead in the trial that resulted in Sean Ramaley being acquitted of all charges wasn't part of Corbett's gubernatorial campaign plan.
However, beyond the obvious political problems the courtroom set-backs have created for Corbett, word in Harrisburg's legal circles has been that there's more than a little disarray and dissension at the Office of the Attorney General.
One indication of this is the abrupt yanking of Krastek in favor of what appears to be a platooning method of trying the Veon case. All the news outlets now quote multiple Deputy Attorney Generals in regard to the Veon trial.
Another sign of chaos has been how the Harrisburg legal communitiy has been abuzz over a veritable civil war that erupted within the Office of Attorney General over whether or not to bring charges against the OAG's investigators' favorite singing canary, Bill DeWeese. Corbett's political expediency won over his investigators' assurances to DeWeese and his lawyers.
Apparently, the chaos and dissension has become so intense that Frank Fina, the Deputy Attorney General in charge of all things bonusgate, has thrown his hat into the ring for the vacant Snyder County District Attorney position to be filled at the end of this month. (Sunbury Daily Item, 1/19/10)
Come to think of it, maybe Krastek wasn't yanked by Corbett for ineptitude. Perhaps it was Krastek who decided he didn't want any further part of what has become a quagmire of internal backbiting over trial strategy and an OAG culture based on political calculation for Corbett's run for Governor.
Any more word on whether or not Senator Ward (R-Westmoreland) and Senator Orie (R-Allegheny) are seeing any action, and I don't mean ...?
ReplyDeleteWard has become the Westmoreland Head Cheerleader for the Republican Party and most certainly has conducted political activity out of her senatoral office (just ask Reps Harhai and Casorio - both D's), not to mention her County Commissioner's Office (she got sworn in and a few months later began her run for the senate from there) and her Hempfield Township Commissioner's ffice.
Maybe it is because Krastek was calling some of the defendants names while speaking with witnesses that he wanted to be 'on his side.'
ReplyDeleteMaybe he was sick of hearing the stories from the witnesses about how AG agents threatened witnesses and their families.
Tom Corbett not only made huge mistakes within his own investigation, but also made even bigger mistakes in deciding whom to prosecute for his political campaign instead of in pursuit of true Justice.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, son as more revelations come out the US Department of Justice will pursue their investigation of the Attorney General and his Staff.
In the meantime, the time has come to ensure Prosecutorial Accountability in Pennsylvania.
The NAACP and ACLU and other Community Organizations should lead this fight under Civil Rights and should start to pursue Corbett wherever he goes during his campaigning.
Pennsylvania should require that prosecutors’ offices adopt and enforce clearly defined official policies and procedures.
Pennsylvania should require open-file discovery in criminal cases.
Pennsylvania should require that prosecutors document all agreements with witnesses and jailhouse informants concerning conferment of benefits of any kind.
Pennsylvania should require trial and appellate judges to report all cases of prosecutorial misconduct, including cases where the misconduct is ruled to be harmless error.
Pennsylvania should establish a prosecutor review board with the power to investigate allegations of misconduct and impose sanctions.
Pennsylvania should require that prosecutors participate in training and continuing education programs.
I WOULD CALL THEM THE VEON REFORMS!
Snyder County is a little place so small 37,000 people, it is a shame to be put out to Pasteur into the retirement of broken careers.
ReplyDeleteNo one should have to cover or fall on his swords for Tom Corbett's personal political campaign intentional errors in handling Bonusgate.
The reckoning has arrived and it is just starting, and normally I would feel sorry for any prosecutor caught up with Corbett's and Tony Krastek Blind Ambitions of Prowling for more Power!
But very good Political Leaders and great honest Staffers have been ruined by this Witch-Hunt and it needs to be atoned, so help us God!
The US Department of justice must start to come in and investigate these Political Investigations.
ReplyDeleteRepublicans have used such political prosecutions for political gain and it is time the people found out how, why, and for what purpose.
Elections are coming up in 2010; Democrats had better make sure they have every office with a candidate on local, state, and federal levels.
It is fair to investigate the Political Prosecutions of others for another Personal Political gain.
Corbett's entire Office needs a Federal Grand Jury Investigation. There are good people there too, that will not lie or cover for Corbett and his Campaigning Staff misusing Investigators and Assistant Attorney Generals for his personal practices.
They were smarter than Corbett was, but Corbett was just too dimwitted and plain out dumb to take their advice. Instead, he chose his own path of to his ruination of their reputations as well.
Someone will stand up and admit it at the right time, wait, and see!
When John Dean would not go along with all the other Nixon's Top Staffers and Attorneys, John Dean alone brought down a President and his minions of misguided managers of machinations, misdeeds, and mud throwers against political opposition.
ReplyDeleteThe Pennsylvania Attorney General and Corbett's Office of the Attorney General Staffers are small potatoes compared to Nixon's Operation.
Now we know why many at the Pennsylvania society and other Pennsylvania Power elites backed off from giving Corbett money. Corbett is not just going to end up being a loser; he is going to be convicted on his own standards of injustice he applied to others.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteAny more word on whether or not Senator Ward (R-Westmoreland) and Senator Orie (R-Allegheny) are seeing any action, and I don't mean ...?
January 21, 2010 8:03 AM
Not a word so far, but District Attorney Zappala did his investigation correctly unlike Tom Corbett.
Zappala recorded all Grand Jury testimony so nothing can be taken back later and this the proper way for Prosecutors to conduct Grand Jury Procedures and Hearings.
Zappala used proper constitutional procedures in regards to surveillance and video tape of the Republicans working on State Time for Judges Campaigns.
Zappala used the proper constitutional procedures to search and seize Jane Orie's Computers and recovered the deleted emails off the hard drives.
Zappala also has the original hard drives to authenticate all emails as well as the tracing of phone calls made on state time for the Judges Campaigns.
Zappala legally obtained the campaigning on state time previous Republican Officeholders Senators and Lelislators Campaigns on state time.
Best of all, much of this evidence goes back to Corbett's OAG Staffers, which will cop a plea in a Pennsylvania Society Waldorf Hotel New York Minute along with Immunity. If Ward is part of the political promotion of Republican Candidates it is in those evidence and would do well to retain a Lawyers to prepare for becoming an Immunity Witness rather obstruct justice.
Corbett, Mike Long, Jane Orie, and some Republican Judges are in the toaster, not just getting crusty but also burning until blacken and removed for proper Garbage Disposal by Waste Management!
DeWeese just announce he is running for Re-Election, he looks like he is not backing down from Tom Corbett either.
ReplyDeleteIf everything Team Casa has posted here is true and accurate, it is DeWeese that take Tom Corbett down even better than Team Casa.
Boy, wait until Perzel weighs in with his own evidence against Tom Corbett.
Looks like instead of Corbett's Hat in the Ring, it going to be a Hat Trick against Corbett's and his OAG.
A Political Decapitation at the neck or self-hanging by, of, and for Corbett's wrong, unfair, and outright political decisions instead of true prosecutorial decisions.
Corbett has made a disaster of his office.
All I know about Senator Ward is that I would not destroy any evidence if I am her, Obstruction of Justice is hard to beat, and often catches you over the charges that may or may not be proven.
ReplyDeleteThis goes for all Republican Senators and the Republican
Judges that Campaigned with them.
Just heard but could not see (Video Error) the Mike Veon KDKA Interview.
ReplyDeleteMike Veon sounded confident, innocence, and mighty self-righteous and explained what happen to him.
On the other hand, Tom Corbett has hid behind his OAG Staffers and avoided the Media spotlight, as a coward and one can see the difference.
Mike Veon will be acquitted, and that is good thing, the better thing is that Corbett not be put in higher office.
In jurisprudence, prosecutorial misconduct is a procedural defense; via which, a defendant may argue that they should not be held criminally liable for actions which may have broken the law, because the prosecution acted in an "inappropriate" or "unfair" manner.
ReplyDeleteSuch arguments may involve allegations that the prosecution withheld evidence or knowingly permitted false testimony.
This is similar to selective prosecution.
Prosecutors are protected from civil liability even when they knowingly and maliciously break the law in order to secure convictions, and the doctrine of harmless error is used by appellate courts to uphold convictions despite such illegal tactics, thus giving prosecutors few incentives to comply with the law.
"There is no crueler tyranny than that which is exercised under cover of law, and with the colors of justice ..."
- U.S. v. Jannotti, 673 F.2d 578, 614 (3d Cir. 1982)
If OAG email evidence not legit, you must acquit!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLets see did Attorney General’s Corbett and his Prosecutors and his Investigators doing of the following:
ReplyDeleteDid Attorney General Corbett and his Prosecutors capture of the grand jury, misusing it as a tool for inquisitorial abuse, or excluding citizen complaints from being heard?
Did Attorney General Corbett and his Prosecutors conduct Plea Bargaining abuses, such as seeking testimony in exchange for leniency? This may solicit perjury or falsified evidence??
Did Attorney General Corbett conduct and his Prosecutors, “Horsetrading”, the practice of colluding with defense attorneys to agree to get some of their clients to plead guilty in exchange for letting others off???
Did Attorney General Corbett and his Prosecutors threaten public officials, especially judges, with prosecution if they do not unduly support their cases????
Did Attorney General Corbett and his Prosecutors tainting of jury pools with public statements by prosecutors that are inaccurate, exaggerated, unsupported by evidence or that could be inadmissible at trial, and such statements become widely promulgated by the media?????
Did Attorney General Corbett and his Prosecutors ignore and misuse exculpatory evidence and refuse to show exculpatory evidence to Grand Jurors for political purposes??????
Did Attorney General Corbett and his Prosecutors name a host of “unindicted co-conspirators” in conspiracy cases to intimidate potential defense witnesses with threats of retaliatory prosecution???????
Did Attorney General Corbett and his Prosecutors use their Peremptory Challenges to remove from the jury anyone with relevant experience in the complex subjects of a trial????????
Did Attorney General Corbett and his Prosecutors when pursuing criminal penalties for selected industry practices against Waste Management Competitors in Corporate America when regulatory intervention would be more appropriate. For example, prosecuting Waste Management Competitors for minor violations of the Clean Water Act rather than affording the opportunity for the Waste Management Competitors to correct his error and pay the appropriate fines?????????
Did Attorney General Corbett and his Prosecutors using multidefendant trials to get defendants to turn on one another in the courtroom, as judges may be reluctant to allow separate trials in multi-defendant cases??????????
Newspapers and the Media will be at the Veon Trial, anything coming out will be covered bigger than anything published to date.
Corbett may try and blame his Staff, but the blame is right where it will be, on Tom Corbett.
After the Acquittal, Republican Campaign Managers and Fundrasiers will be subject to the proper investigation of Zappala Grand Jury.
That's ok, Corbett gave the Senate R's the green light. IMO
ReplyDeleteMaybe it is because Krastek was calling some of the defendants names while speaking with witnesses that he wanted to be 'on his side.'
ReplyDeleteMaybe he was sick of hearing the stories from the witnesses about how AG agents threatened witnesses and their families.
January 21, 2010 9:53 AM
Actually, Krastek was the one doing the threatening!!!
Jury selection wrapped up today, opening the doors for testimony to begin Feb. 1 in the government corruption case known as Bonusgate.
ReplyDeleteEight women and four men, only three of them Democrats, will decide the case of former former state Rep. Mike Veon and three former legislative aides, all Democrats.
Six alternate jurors also were selected for the trial, which could last as long as a month.
"The defendants are anxious to have the jury seated and begin showing they are innocent of all charges," said Pittsburgh attorney Joel Sansone, who represents Mr. Veon.
His client also spoke briefly to reporters.
"Everybody has some adversity in life. For me, when I face adversity, I get up as high as I can on my two legs and get ready to fight, get ready for battle," said Mr. Veon, 53, who represented Beaver County for two decades. "I feel good. I'm rested, I'm ready, I'm confident and I feel strong. We're going to wage a fierce and aggressive defense starting Feb. 1."
Other defendants are Stephen Keefer, 39, Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink, 47, and Brett Cott, 37.
THIS IS A GOOD JURY, THEY WILL JUDGE THE EVIDENCE FAIRLY, AND THEY WILL ACQUIT.
GOOD LUCK MIKE, BRETT, ANNAMARIE, STEVE.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteMaybe it is because Krastek was calling some of the defendants names while speaking with witnesses that he wanted to be 'on his side.'
Maybe he was sick of hearing the stories from the witnesses about how AG agents threatened witnesses and their families.
January 21, 2010 9:53 AM
Actually, Krastek was the one doing the threatening!!!
January 21, 2010 3:20 PM
One-Way To Find Out The Truth Is For Tony Krastek Can Do The Right Thing And Tell The Truth About What Corbett Ordered, If Not Krastek Has To Be Held Accountable.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteThat's ok, Corbett gave the Senate R's the green light. IMO
January 21, 2010 2:55 PM
Oh, an ever growing web of wrong doing by the Corbett/Orie OAG Gang, and expect that a green light, is no excuse for ignorance of the law.
Despite such, the defense has been successful roughly 1 out of 6 times it has been used from 1970 to 2003.
ReplyDeleteDuring that period, judges have cited misconduct by prosecutors as a reason to dismiss charges, reverse convictions, or reduce sentences in 2,012 cases, according to a study by the Center for Public Integrity released in 2003; the researchers looked at 11,452 cases in which misconduct was alleged.
However, over 50% of States no longer use Grand Juries due to unfairness and propensity for abuse by Prosecutors.
There is a very popular movement to go after Prosecutors now that are found to abu8se the system of justice.
Let it begin in Pennsylvania and let it start exposing Corbett's abuses.
Tom Corbett is practicing Political Repression with the persecution of an individual or group for political reasons, particularly for the purpose of restricting or preventing their ability to take part in the political life of society.
ReplyDeletePolitical repression may be represented by discriminatory policies, surveillance abuse, grand jury involuntary settlement, stripping of citizen's rights.
Often forced extrajudicial punishment of political activists, political rivals, media muckrakers, dissidents, or general population.
Where political repression is sanctioned and organized by the state, it may constitute state politicide or crimes against humanity and rival political parties.
Systemic political repression is a typical feature of runaway grand juries, carried out by Attorney Generals for personal political gain in the name defending the state.
Relevant activities have also been found within democratic contexts of enforcing laws against others but ignoring them for friends.
Political repression legal policy of repression with respect to internal political opponents of the state happens often but can be reversed so long as their are Independent Judges that administer the law properly.
Corbett has to be worried now about the Subornation of Perjury.
ReplyDeleteIf one reads the Presentments investigated, manipulated, and written by the OAG, you can clearly see many opportunities for the crime of persuading another to commit perjury.
It may be applied to an attorney who presents testimony (or an affidavit) the attorney knows is materially false to a judge or jury as if it were factual.
Generally, the knowledge that the testimony is materially false must rise above mere suspicion to what a reasonable attorney would have believed in the circumstances.
For example, the attorney cannot be willfully blind to the fact that their witness is giving false testimony.
An attorney who actively encourages a witness to give false testimony is clearly guilty of suborning perjury.
It can occur in either a civil or a criminal case.
Subornation of perjury is a crime.
It is also an offense for which an attorney can be disciplined, disbarred, or jailed.
Subornation is the circumstance where an attorney gets, or allows, another party to lie.
If an attorney makes a false representation in court, that is also a crime and he could be subject to similar punishment as subornation.
Under American federal criminal law, "Whoever procures another to commit any perjury is guilty of subornation of perjury, and shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both".
Subornation of perjury occurs when anyone--not just a lawyer--encourages a witness to perjure her/himself.
Violators can face a maximum of five years in prison. That law has analogous provisions in every state of the union including Pennsylvania.
The line between subornation of perjury and simply helping witnesses recall what actually occurred is a fine one.
This demonstrates the ethical and legal problem doing such actions.
Prosecutors can be punished by being suspended or license removed from practicing law for such ethical violations.
This is the major reason why there is panic at Strawberry Square, what has yet to be determined is what Lawyer will come forth first, before others are implicated.
I fear Frank Fina will be made the scapegoat when this is all over, but Corbett is the person that needs to be investigated on this more than anyone.
Martha Coakely was the Attorney General of Massachusetts and based on her campaign behavior and demeanor.
ReplyDeleteShe has to be one of dumbest Attorney Generals in history.
Until, Tom Corbett will top her!
The Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General Prosecutors wields more power than any other actors in the Pennsylvania criminal justice system.
ReplyDeleteThe PA OAG have unreviewable power to go forward with a case or dismiss charges, to cut a deal with a defendant for a guilty plea or stand pat, and to recommend a severe sentence or plead for leniency.
Now everyone knows unchecked power is always subject of abuse, and prosecutors are not immune from engaging in misconduct, to win at all costs.
What is so hurtful and more corrupted is when Pennsylvania Prosecutorial misconduct weakens the public's perception of the integrity of the legal system and undermines the ability of the courts to achieve justice.
The political damage has been done, but freedoms being removed is not just a tragedy, but a sin.
What Is So Sad Is, If Corbett Would Do Just His Job As Attorney General, And Not Run For Governor He Would Be Above All Suspicion, Even If He Did Some Prosecutorial Misconduct.
ReplyDeleteAfter All, If Corbett Were Truly Interested In Doing His Job And Doing A Good Job, Why Would He Need To Run For Governor At All?
On The Other Hand, Why Does Corbett Persist To Run For Governor As He Prosecutes Other Politicians?
This Has Endangered Every Staffer And Deputy Attorney General For The Personal Pride And Arrogance Of Tom Corbett.
The Deputy Attorney Generals And Assistant Attorney Generals Could Have Done This Job Without Question Had Corbett Not Run On State Time For Governor.
It Is Unfair In Every Way To Put These Staffers In The Crosshairs Of Prosecuting Others For Campaigning On State Time, Then Watching Their Boss Corbett Do It For His Own Political Greed To Become Governor.
If Corbett Was An Honest Attorney General He, Would Resign And Then Run For Governor.
But Corbett Is Refusing To Do So, He Is Being Paid By The State To Be Attorney General, Yet He Is Prosecuting Others For Doing What He Is Doing NOW?
Now His Own Employees May Actually Be Held Accountable When Corbett Just Needed To Resign To Run Or Not
Run For Governor.
The OAG Deserves Better Accountability And It Is Hurting All Of Their Reputations To Conduct Justice In A Fair Above Reproach Manner In The Interests Of Justice.
Shame On Tom Corbett!
STRANGE BUT TRUE!
Politically motivated prosecutions are now common in political circles for private gain to seek higher public office.
ReplyDeleteGiven the breadth of criminal law, prosecutors can find reason to prosecute just about anybody if they have the time, the money, and the motive.
Critics of independent counsel Kenneth Starr's prosecution of President Clinton allege that Starr's primary motive for prosecution related to matters other than Clinton's alleged perjury.
Anthony Lewis, a columnist for the New York Times, calls Starr's prosecution of Clinton “politics dressed as law.”
Lewis claims no other prosecutor in the United States would have gone forward with a prosecution of a citizen for false testimony about sex in a civil case.
In Lewis's opinion, few citizens have led such unblemished lives as to prevent a determined prosecutor from finding some basis for an indictment or information.
Corbett should have known better too, but has choosen to select political leadership against him for prosecution, while ignoring his own friends doing the same thing.
What the Veon Jurors care going to have to decide is how the Attorney General's Office conducted its evidence gathering and Grand Juries.
ReplyDeleteIt looks to me, from reading the Presentments the prosecutors, in their zeal to obtain a conviction, fail to turn over other factual evidence that is favorable to the defendant when the evidence is material to guilt or punishment.
This will be shown by other witnesses that observed Veon Election Campaign just like in the Ramaley Acquittal.
What Pennsylvania citizens have to understand is one of the greatest threats to rational and fair fact-finding in criminal cases comes from OAG prosecutor's hiding evidence that might prove a defendant's innocence, which Veon claims he will show beyond a reasonable doubt.
When this is exposed at Trial, the consequences of such misconduct will be serious.
All Guilty Pleas and Convictions will be reversed, cases are retried, appeals are brought that cost taxpayers millions of dollars, and public confidence in Corbett prosecutors is undermined.
This is what is at stake, Corbett is claiming he is stopping the millions of state dollars wasted on campaigns, as he waste millions in prosecuting others for what he has been doing by running for Governor and remaining Attorney General going after his political enemies.
The Dauphin County will see this, so will the media, and Corbett Prosecutors will be at risk, and then Corbett.
A shining light is about to be lit and the coach roaches that used the awl to violate the law against others will be running to attorneys for protection.
While Corbett sleeps in the Governor Mansion for a while, until it catches up to him with handcuffs.
It is going to be up to an Independent Judiciary to stop Corbett's abuses.
ReplyDeleteThe Judges in Pennsylvania will have to apply sanctions for Corbett’s OAG prosecutorial misconduct.
This will include appellate reversal of guilty plea convictions, finding the OAG prosecutors in contempt of court, referring the prosecutors to the PA Bar Association Discipline Committee, and removing the Corbett from office.
The legislature and Senate of Pennsylvania will have to put in safeguards for future fairness by Attorney Generals running for other public Offices.
The big reason why prosecutorial misconduct persists in Pennsylvania is because of the unavailability or inadequacy of penalties visited upon the prosecutor personally in the event of unethical behavior.
Although Pennsylvania and Federal appellate court can punish prosecutors by telling him or her not to act in the same way again or by reversing a conviction, such sanctions don't hold the prosecutor personally accountable right now.
During the course of a trial, our state prosecutors are absolutely immune from any civil liability that might arise due to his or her official conduct.
Moreover, appellate courts can affirm a conviction despite the presence of serious prosecutorial misconduct by merely invoking the harmless error doctrine.
Under this doctrine, an appellate court determines that errors were of such a minor or trivial nature that they did not harm the defendant's rights.
This has to be changed where there is clear and convincing evidence that Pennsylvania Prosecutors have violated their oath and tactics in using runaway grand juries against political foes.
Along with another few Reforms that will make our Commonwealth Grand Jury System a model for America.
This will happen when the 9 Republican Judges just elected are brought forth by Grand Juries regarding their knowledge and participation with the alleged Jane Orie Campaign Violations. After all, Campaigning on State Time as defined by the AG Corbett PA OAG is their big problem now.
Once they see how unfair a system is used against them, they will lead the charge for reforms.
One big problem Zappala is doing it the right way and after all Joan Orie Melvin claims she will reform the Judiciary.
It is good it may begin with her and she can thank Tom Corbett for it!
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeletePolitically motivated prosecutions are now common in political circles for private gain to seek higher public office....
Lewis claims no other prosecutor in the United States would have gone forward with a prosecution of a citizen for false testimony about sex in a civil case...
In Lewis's opinion, few citizens have led such unblemished lives as to prevent a determined prosecutor from finding some basis for an indictment or information.
January 21, 2010 5:43 PM
I GUESS LEWIS NEVER MET TOM CORBETT?
I feel for Frank Fina having to grovel for a little District Attorney Job in Snyder County after being at the highest Federal Department of Justice and State Office of Attorney general levels of Justice.
ReplyDeleteClearly, he is being ousted and the person made to bear the blame for others at the Attorney General Office to suffer in their place.
Since Fina is made to carry the misconduct and broken means to gather proper evidence and reneged on prosecution agreements made by Corbett's for Corbett’s political ambitions.
It is a shame the sins of the other prosecutors and his Boss Tom Corbett is branded on Frank as he is sent away to perish in Snyder County oblivion, if he can even be appointed?
Frank Fina is starting to look like the innocent competent honest prosecutor but politically naïve.
Who is being blamed and punished for the misdeeds of Krastek at the Grand Jury, crimes of Republican Senators not investigated or indicted in 4 years, generally as a way of distracting attention from the real causes of these prosecutions being Tom Corbett political campaign plans, designs, and violations.
Corbett better hope Frank Fina does not have a Saint Paul revealation wherby Jesus blinded Paul as he persecuted innoncent Christians, but his eyesight returned, to confront evil doings.
ReplyDeleteFrank Fina seems like a guy that would do the right thing and not a Goat to bear all the OAG iniquities and then sent unto a land not inhabited, by many people.
"Another sign of chaos has been how the Harrisburg legal communitiy has been abuzz over a veritable civil war that erupted within the Office of Attorney General over whether or not to bring charges against the OAG's investigators' favorite singing canary, Bill DeWeese. Corbett's political expediency won over his investigators' assurances to DeWeese and his lawyers."
ReplyDeleteIs CasablancaPA saying, DeWeese was innocent and the OAG Prosecutors knew it, but Corbett indicted DeWeese for political gain for his campaign???
Does anybody else have an opinion of what this means?
If the OAG is divided by the behavior of Tom Corbett to refuse their recommendations on who is to be indicted based on the evidence, seldom to never does the top honcho like Corbett ever escape the wrath of disgruntled employees.
ReplyDeleteSomeone is talking to the Media or other outside agencies.
Let us see.......Corbett told the public he will follow his Professional Staff conclusions of the evidence to indict someone, yet it seems the investigators and some prosecutors were upset when Corbett ignored their findings and indicted on his political whims for his Governorship winds?
ReplyDeleteMen of goodwill have conscious thoughts they are improving society, when they find out they have been duped into hurting others for the sake of one’s political ambitions, now I know how 4,000 Pages of the Grand Jury got into Newspapers.
There is a silent saint in the OAG, maybe 2 or 3, and they know Corbett did what and when, and if asked on the Testifying Stand under oath, it is Alexander Butterfield all over again?????
I guess, Tom Corbett is preparing for Mike Veon's Acquittal.
ReplyDeleteCorbett is starting to choose among his staff and employees scapegoats to be selected to bear blame for the calamity of his unproven charges against political foes.
Mike Veon looked great. He sounded like the Mike Veon we know who always fought for the average working people who don't have two nickles to rub together but still deserve to be heard and helped. Good luck to him and his former staff people.
ReplyDeleteIf Team Casa blog is true, Corbett is practicing the act of holding a person, or a group of his investigators and attorneys responsible for his political, ethical, and criminal multitude of problems Corbett is now facing.
ReplyDeleteGet ready folks, Corbett is planning the public flogging of several staffers and unlike President G. W. Bush, he is practicing the correct speech labels to include frame-up artists, patsy, whipping boy and fall guy.
But it is Corbett that ignored his Professional Prosecutors Staffers advice and conclusions for Corbett’s Political OAG Campaign Staffer’s collusion to win votes to make Corbett become Governor on the backs of innocent political antagonists.
Wow is all I have to say, if Veon, DeWeese and Perzel never had anything in common over these investigations, they sure do now.
ReplyDeleteProfessional Prosecutors disagreeing with Attorney General Corbett Political Indictments based on Corbett's Campaign Staff recommendations over justice.
It looks like Veon can help prove DeWeese innocent, and DeWeese can help prove Veon innocent and Perzel can end being the only one guilty because Corbett has different evidence on him.
In turn, Perzel Staffers reveal prior Campaign Evidence of Corbett’s OAG Campaign Staffers on State Time.
It ain't pretty but it is justice with a reckoning!
No matter how carefully a project is planned, something may still go wrong with it.
ReplyDelete“The Best Laid Schemes Of Mice And Men." Robert Burns
“The Man Who Can Smile When Things Go Wrong Has Thought Of Someone Else He Can Blame It On.” Robert Bloch
Poor Tony Krastek he just had too much hypocrisy in Corbett.
There is no way Tony Krastek will take any blame on these investigations being placed on his head.
ReplyDeleteNor should he, Corbett's Mike Long and Asher are to be blamed!
Now I know why DeWeese is running again, hope Ramaley and Veon follow his lead.
ReplyDeleteCorbett staff looks like they are leaking information to save those charged for doing what Corbett is doing, and they know it is wrong.
Special Handcuffs coming for Corbett for the hit parade of the District Justice walking plank, oh how sweet it is going tom be to watch, I'm selling refreshments, Corbett's Kool-Aide Redux!
ReplyDeleteI love CasablancaPA!
ReplyDeleteThe Corbett Two Step,
ReplyDeleteSTEP ONE:
I cannot believe my staff did the things I learned about later on what happen in the Grand Juries.
STEP TWO:
When I am Governor, I will correct these problems by issuing Pardons to my Staffers held accountable.
Say what you will about Mike Veon, but he's maintained that unblinking in-your-face quiet aggression. He may not go down. If he does, it won't be without a fight.
ReplyDelete-NGW
Mike Veon sure lo0ks good on TV. He knows how to dress for success. Sure, is a sharp contrast to TOM CORBETT. Wonder how Corbett will look in stripes. Will he be wearing orange come St.
ReplyDeletePaddy's Day? Change is on the way, the taxpayers will not stand for any more waste of time, money and politicking on their dime.
Mike Veon sure lo0ks good on TV. He knows how to dress for success. Sure, is a sharp contrast to TOM CORBETT. Wonder how Corbett will look in stripes. Will he be wearing orange come St.
ReplyDeletePaddy's Day? Change is on the way, the taxpayers will not stand for any more waste of time, money and politicking on their dime.
Is Sen. Kim Ward the same one that was out front for Rick Santorum in his unsuccessful run for re-election? Speak ing of U>S>Senate races, what was the connection between the Orie sisters and the ten-second
ReplyDeleteUSSenate race?? Maybe, we should all wear white ribbons and sign up for the race for the Door(EXIT)?
The People united will never be defeated. The people are behind you, GO MIKE VEON, GO.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think that Kim Ward is under investigation? This is the first that I have or anyone has heard of anything. Do you really think that Tom Corbett is going to go after his future Western Regional Campaign Direction?? She is not within the jurisdiction of Zappala. If you have proof of her doing this then submitt it to Peck's office, if not quit talking about it.
ReplyDelete46 comments? You've been busy today guys. You should try to get some sleep - it's going to be a long trial.
ReplyDeleteThis is the second time a blogger accused Kim Ward of wrong doing. What's the story behind it, the papers are not reporting it. Is this true?
ReplyDeleteI think I just saw Krastek on a Milk Carton Box of Missing People!
ReplyDeleteTONY KRASTEK DILEMMA BELOW TO CHOOSE OR NOT TO BE CHOSEN:
“When Things Go Wrong, You'll Find They Usually Go On Getting Worse For Some Time; But When Things Once Start Going Right They Often Go On Getting Better And Better.”
C.S. Lewis
OR
“The Major Difference Between A Thing That Might Go Wrong And A Thing That Cannot Possibly Go Wrong Is That When A Thing That Cannot Possibly Go Wrong Goes Wrong It Usually Turns Out To Be Impossible To Get At Or Repair”
Douglas Adams
Nothing on this blog is true. Just a few amateurs pretending to be an army of concerned citizens.
ReplyDelete"Anonymous said...Why do you think that Kim Ward is under investigation? This is the first that I have or anyone has heard of anything. Do you really think that Tom Corbett is going to go after his future Western Regional Campaign Direction?? She is not within the jurisdiction of Zappala. If you have proof of her doing this then submitt it to Peck's office, if not quit talking about it.
ReplyDeleteJanuary 21, 2010 10:08 PM"
If Jane Orie Computer Emails lead anywhere, Zappala Grand Jury has jurisdiction anywhere.
Remember, OAG Frank Fina famous quote, we go where the Grand Jury Evidence takes us, anyone breaking the law will get it.
Senator Ward knows exactly what she did and if recorded as alleged, she will be brought before the Grand Jury.
"Anonymous said...This is the second time a blogger accused Kim Ward of wrong doing. What's the story behind it, the papers are not reporting it. Is this true?
ReplyDeleteJanuary 21, 2010 11:14 PM"
Video is a funny thing, it shows what you cannot remember?
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteThis is the second time a blogger accused Kim Ward of wrong doing. What's the story behind it, the papers are not reporting it. Is this true?
January 21, 2010 11:14 PM
It is my understanding that Jane Orie alleged coordinated the Republican Judicial Candidates state wide along with all Republican Senators Offices and House Members.
This is not coming from the Grand Jury unlike the OAG. It is coming from employees and former employees, and campaign workers, and when confronted will make them shake right in their boots, high heels, and shoes. Even Santorum is on video making comments how campaigns worked in his day.
The evidence will lead to many resignations and plea bargains, and it is far encompassing than the OAG investigation, because of the evidence found so far.
Once confronted any lying will go directly to obstruction of justices’ charges.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteWow is all I have to say, if Veon, DeWeese and Perzel never had anything in common over these investigations, they sure do now.
Professional Prosecutors disagreeing with Attorney General Corbett Political Indictments based on Corbett's Campaign Staff recommendations over justice.
It looks like Veon can help prove DeWeese innocent, and DeWeese can help prove Veon innocent and Perzel can end being the only one guilty because Corbett has different evidence on him.
In turn, Perzel Staffers reveal prior Campaign Evidence of Corbett’s OAG Campaign Staffers on State Time.
It ain't pretty but it is justice with a reckoning!
January 21, 2010 7:35 PM
Someone some how needs to extend a helping hand of friendship to another old colleague in need of some answers before his Trial.
And vice averse!
Do not let prior misunderstandings and Republican political attacks through Grand Juries liars, continue to separate Democrats, this is what the OAG is counting on, so throw them a curve, forgive, unite, and fight!
The OAG is already divided, so time to make them split and save themselves.
In December, Kim Ward posted on her Facebook page that
ReplyDeleteshe will be sponsering a campaign breakfrast fundraiser for Tom Corbett. The day after the Jane Orie GJ investigation broke in the newspapers, Ward removed the post. A good source has told me that Ward does campaign on state time, including using Facebook to announce campaign events for Corbett...on a state computer.
I heard a buzz from OAG Strawberry Square in that the professional prosecutors did not want to indict Bill Deweese for no other reason than the evidence against him is very feeble and the alleged unlawful activity was nothing more than an ethics violation at best and now very tough to win. Yet, Tom Corbett’s Campaign Staff thought it was a good political move.
ReplyDelete"Anonymous said...Nothing on this blog is true. Just a few amateurs pretending to be an army of concerned citizens.
ReplyDeleteJanuary 22, 2010 12:16 AM"
May I Retort:
The Ramaley Jurors Thought Just The Opposite, And Found Corbett And The Oag Presentments And Charges Were Untrue!
The Jurors Were Amateur Citizens Too, And No Army Or Runaway Grand Jurors Could Change Their Mind, In Less Than 3 Hours.
As Millions Of Tax Dollars Spent By The Oag With No Result For The Taxpayers Just For Corbett's Governorship Campaign.
Anonymous said...In December, Kim Ward posted on her Facebook page that she will be sponsering a campaign breakfrast fundraiser for Tom Corbett. The day after the Jane Orie GJ investigation broke in the newspapers, Ward removed the post. A good source has told me that Ward does campaign on state time, including using Facebook to announce campaign events for Corbett...on a state computer.
ReplyDeleteJanuary 22, 2010 4:32 AM
Computer Drives hold onto all deleted information. If Ward did these things, it is there and will be taken.
If it is destroyed it is Obstruction of Justice much easier case to make than initial charges.
Any Staffers lying to Investigators is also Obstruction of Justice.
Other Staffers and former Staffers once under oath before the Grand Jury will not lie and only one is needed to tell on the others.
Once Jane Orie's Emails are authenticated and traced to other Republican Senators and Judges and do not show up on say for example Joan Orie Melvin Computer or Senator Ward's well then they destroyed evidence and it is all over for them, especially when another turns State Witness on them.
In any event, it is safe to say the Republicans Judges and Senators and some Representative are in a bigger pickle than anything Corbett's OAG charged to date.
Let the Zappala Grand Jury play out, after Veon Lawyers set up the OAG Staffers on the record under oath, and cannot take back their words.
All Facebook postings are retrievable the new rule of law once it is put on the Internet it never comes down or goes away.
ReplyDeleteIf Ward did that on State Time using State Computers, they got her!
How could Deputy Attorney General Anthony Krastek turn your back on his Grand Jury abuses and from the prosecution when his close buddy Frank Dermody benefited from his passionate mission to get DeWeese?
ReplyDeleteBACK TO BASICS Miss Ward's English class
ReplyDeleteToday's Lesson: How to make a VERB into a NOUN.
Example: The Verb: Convict; to
or prove guilty.
The Noun: Convict: one who has been found guilty of a
crime.
Will Joan and Jane have pillow fights in the same cell at Muncey?
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteWill Joan and Jane have pillow fights in the same cell at Muncey?
January 22, 2010 5:12 PM
I don't know but Jane and Joan's State Cell Phones may put them in those Jail Cells, and they both share the same Cell DNA!
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteI heard a buzz from OAG Strawberry Square in that the professional prosecutors did not want to indict Bill Deweese for no other reason than the evidence against him is very feeble and the alleged unlawful activity was nothing more than an ethics violation at best and now very tough to win. Yet, Tom Corbett’s Campaign Staff thought it was a good political move.
January 22, 2010 12:33 PM
So in charging DeWeese, Corbett overrode the judgment of his professional prosecutors?
Opportunity is a haughty goddess who wastes no time with those who are unprepared. - George Clason
ReplyDeleteTeam Veon is ready, Team OAG is on its heels, high heels, in some cases!
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteThat's ok, Corbett gave the Senate R's the green light. IMO
January 21, 2010 2:55 PM
The Oreo Sisters, Corbett, Republican Senators, recent elected Republican Judges, and some OAG Staffers are going to go down from the Green Light!
Anonymous said...So in charging DeWeese, Corbett overrode the judgment of his professional prosecutors?
ReplyDeleteJanuary 23, 2010 5:07 PM
My response:
The way I read it, the OAG case against Ramaley was terrible based on the evidence gathered by Corbett's Investigators.
Veon has a better case because he has evidence on Corbett's Staffers and Corbett campaigning on state time.
Yet, Corbett went after them anyway.
Now DeWeese has even lesser OAG evidence and Corbett made the call to charge him for his political campaign not justice.
It is time for Veon and DeWeese to get together and fight the Republican Election Nazi Tactics again as Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside.
They are being political prosecuted because they made a dynamic political team together against the Republicans.
Anonymous said...BACK TO BASICS Miss Ward's English class
ReplyDeleteToday's Lesson: How to make a VERB into a NOUN.
Example: The Verb: Convict; to
or prove guilty.
The Noun: Convict: one who has been found guilty of a
crime.
January 22, 2010 5:12 PM
Is this going to make someone a WARD of the State Pen or SCI too?
So in charging DeWeese, Corbett overrode the judgment of his professional prosecutors?
ReplyDeleteJanuary 23, 2010 5:07 PM
If this true and comes out, Corbett will not be able to remain in politics or Harrisburg.
People like this have bad karma like Elliott Spitzer, Nifong, and Scooter Libby.
So how did you do this week? Looking forward to the trial. Can't wait to see justice served. Enjoy jail.
ReplyDeleteOPPOSITION RESEARCH CORBETT TACTICS:
ReplyDeleteCorbett not taking chances in GOP gubernatorial primary
Sunday, January 24, 2010
By Tom Barnes, Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau
HARRISBURG -- It's unusual for a political candidate who is far ahead in the polls, and almost certainly in campaign cash, to wage an aggressive attack on the challenger who's badly trailing.
But that looks like what Attorney General Tom Corbett is planning against state Rep. Sam Rohrer of Berks County, his only challenger in the May primary for the Republican nomination for governor.
Mr. Corbett has filed a Right-To-Know request with the state House clerk's office seeking all of its records on Mr. Rohrer's voting record, expenditures and expenses for travel, lodging and other things, during his years in the House, which began in 1993.
"We are looking into his record as a public official," said Corbett campaign Manager Brian Nutt. "In a primary, you try to find out as much as you can about your opponent's record."
One of Mr. Rohrer's main strengths in the primary will almost certainly come from rightward-leaning Republicans, because he is in the conservative wing of the party. Loud protests over "big government" and "high taxes," led by members of the so-called "Tea Party" movement, have also become a political fact of life, especially for Republicans.
The surprise victory last week in Massachusetts for Republican Sen. Scott Brown also showed the properly harnessed clout of conservative independent and Republican voters.
Mr. Corbett, of Shaler, generally is seen as more middle-of-the-road than Mr. Rohrer, although Mr. Nutt said Mr. Corbett will make a strong pitch for conservative votes also. One Corbett strategy will be to cast doubt on whether some of Mr. Rohrer's past votes were really of a "conservative" nature.
For example, Mr. Nutt said that Mr. Rohrer voted in 2001 for a significant increase in pensions for retired state workers, a move that Gov. Ed Rendell now says could cost the state at least an additional $2 billion starting in 2012. State officials haven't figured out how to pay for the hefty pension increase.
CORBETT OPPOSITION RESEARCH:
ReplyDeleteMr. Rohrer also voted for the controversial 16 to 34 percent legislative pay raise in July 2005, which later was repealed in the face of loud public opposition.
"Sam says he's a conservative, but a lot of people have told us to look at his record," Mr. Nutt said. "Pay raises and pension increases aren't exactly fiscally conservative moves."
Digging up information on Mr. Rohrer is a change of focus for the Corbett camp.
Several months ago, Mr. Rohrer wasn't even in the race, while Mr. Corbett faced challenges from Jim Gerlach, a GOP Congressman from suburban Philadelphia, and Pat Meehan, a former U.S. attorney in Philadelphia. But they both decided to run for Congress this year instead of governor. Polls showed Mr. Corbett considerably ahead of both of them, but they haven't really measured him in a one-on-one race against Mr. Rohrer.
The exact numbers for campaign funds won't be known until the candidates' reports are released Feb. 1. But Mr. Corbett, who has gotten the public support of many top GOP officials, is expected to have a healthy fundraising edge.
Another aspect of Mr. Rohrer's legislative career that may be examined is his longtime push for eliminating property taxes, which hasn't gone anywhere. One reason is that it would require sharp increases in state income taxes and/or sales taxes to make up for the $7 billion or more that would be lost by ending property taxes, and legislators are reluctant to vote for them.
Mr. Rohrer, who isn't seeking re-election to the House this year, maintained that talking about his vote for the pay raise is merely a way to avoid discussing real issues. The Corbett campaign, he said last week, is "trying to stay as far away from the issues as they can."
Asked if he thinks the pay raise vote will be a way for Mr. Corbett to damage him, Mr. Rohrer insisted, "It won't be."
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10024/1030755-454.stm#ixzz0dVovXMBE
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteSo how did you do this week? Looking forward to the trial. Can't wait to see justice served. Enjoy jail.
January 24, 2010 1:47 AM
I am sure Senator's Orie and Ward, will try and get out of being sent to Jail.
Mike Veon is not going to Jail, watch, see, and believe.
ReplyDeleteDeWeese is runningfor Re-election and will be Corbett's thorn in Corbett's campaign.
Stetler will ask for 180 day Trial before the Election, and when Acquitted before November will be another Corbett problem.
Corbett will be fighting on a dozen fronts, and his OAG will be overwhelmed.
As Perzel fights within the GOP and reveals Corbett's own problems.
As Zappala puts the Republican Judges and Senators front and center and asking why Corbett could not do it!
OAG Campaign Staffers will clash with OAG Profesional Prodecutors and leaks will make Corbett blink.
Mike Veon is not going to Jail, watch, see, and believe.
ReplyDeleteDeWeese is runningfor Re-election and will be Corbett's thorn in Corbett's campaign.
Stetler will ask for 180 day Trial before the Election, and when Acquitted before November will be another Corbett problem.
Corbett will be fighting on a dozen fronts, and his OAG will be overwhelmed.
As Perzel fights within the GOP and reveals Corbett's own problems.
As Zappala puts the Republican Judges and Senators front and center and asking why Corbett could not do it!
OAG Campaign Staffers will clash with OAG Profesional Prodecutors and leaks will make Corbett blink.
The above brought to you by the Dream Team of ROADKILL AND HARUSPICY.
Once working on Campaigns on State Time comes back on the OAG and Republican Senators and Judges, Roadkill will look like meal to them!
ReplyDeleteAs for Haruspicy, it is the best way to expose a Campaign on State Time by Law Enforcement that will admit it under oath!
The surprises are yet to come, and then we will see panic not snipes.
"The surprises are yet to come, and then we will see panic not snipes."
ReplyDeletePanic, hardly; disgust and dismay, maybe. The supposition here is that everyone who comments has a dog in this show. Some just don't agree with your solipsistic view of what it means to be a public servant.
Anonymous said..."The surprises are yet to come, and then we will see panic not snipes."
ReplyDeletePanic, hardly; disgust and dismay, maybe. The supposition here is that everyone who comments has a dog in this show. Some just don't agree with your solipsistic view of what it means to be a public servant.
January 25, 2010 7:41 PM
I agree with you, no one should agree with my views on respecting Public Servants, there are many alternative views that are noteworthy with merit.
Still, Mike Veon is a good Public Servant and does deserve our respect, he looks and acts in full confidence.
Corbett's views are not accurate either, and have been apllied in the most unfair manner.
All I know is none of the Defendants or Guilty Pleaders deserve Prison Time or loss of their Pensions.
ReplyDeleteFines, paybacking back Bonuses and State Expenditures sure, plus loss of jobs.
This is why Corbett's Prosecutions are wrong in a very unethical way.
Maybe we need to go back to a Part-Time Legislature too.
Whatever new reforms are put in please put one in, that an Attorney general cannot remain in office, when he is running for another office.
ReplyDeleteThe temptation is too great to overcome when going after your political enemies or opposition, and that is more unethical than anything we read in the charges.
Corbett is being paid by the Commonwealth to run for governor while using Government Resources to promote his own candidacy under the disguise of going after Government Corruption, where none existed before, Corbett's misinterpretations of the laws.
By the time, Juries correct his mistakes he will be Governor using such Nazi Political Tactics.