It's bad enough the Patriot-News hasn't bothered to send a reporter to a trial that culminates a story it broke with its own reporting.
But if today's "commentary" by Laura Vecsey is any indication, no one at that Patriot-News is bothering to read anyone else's coverage of the trial.
First of all, Vecsey (and anyone proofing the copy over there), the name of Mike Veon's attorney is Joel Sansone, not Santone.
And the name of the lead prosecutor is E. Marc Costanzo, not Constanza. (Perhaps Vecsey and the Patriot-News staff are spending their time watching Seinfeld reruns instead of paying attention to the trial!)
After a six-week trial that raised significant questions of prosecutorial intimidation, the credibility of witnesses, the accuracy of exhibits, the thoroughness of the investigation, the motivation of both investigators and witnesses and the very foundation of Pennsylvania's legal, governmental and political institutions, Vecsey is concerned with just one point: Why were the the closing arguments so loooooooooong?
We're sorry you were bored, Laura. Those who've actually followed the trial, both in the courtroom and on Twitter, know that attorneys for each of the four defendants were limited to just two hours. Those who've covered the courts for more than part of one day know it's unusual for an attorney to be held to such a limit. Anyone who'd given a single moment's thought to the entirety of the trial could probably figure out that two hours is a pretty short time to sum up six weeks of testimony.
We wonder if Vecsey is even aware that the trial has been going on for six weeks. The column reads like she just accidentally stumbled into a random courtroom and based her assumptions on nothing more than what she heard in the few hours she was there.
It's a shame that the Patriot News couldn't be bothered to spend more than a few hours on a six-week trial - especially since it wants to portray the story it broke as enormously significant.
Brace yourself, Patriot-News: the prosecution today will be allowed to drone on for four hours! Better bring a comic book to keep yourself entertained.
Blessington: "Every tax dollar is paid for with the sweat of taxpayers. ... This is all about taxpayer resources."
ReplyDeleteThe biggest lie, if it was about this, the OAG would never had wasted such resources, permit HDC Employees to keep their jobs as they testified after breaking work rules and state rules, and not one Bonus was ever ever returned.
It is is about Corbett Campaign for Governor, and what is so frustrating, Corbett would have won without this travesty of a trial, just like President Nixon in 1972 over Watergate.
Gypsys, tramps, and thieves,
ReplyDeleteWe would hear it from the people of the commonwealth,
They would call us Gypsys, tramps, and thieves,
But every night Corbett would come around,
And ask others to lay their money down.
Or be charged!
At the same time, once betrayed by those that once asked for help or a job from you, and then went on to play you, and trying to make you responsible for their sins, as they betrayed your trust, life is unfair and hurtful.
It is tough when you place your Trust in someone only to be betrayed later.
You are taught to be with your friends, stand by them, help them, and love them.
Such development of good friends is one of the greatest experiences of this short life.
When something happens that makes friends turn on friends, to save themselves, it is even more tragic.
So, one might conclude the wise thing to always do is not to trust anyone.
Be it not so, while some risk is inherent in any act of trust, without it there would be no friendship, therefore those risks are worth taking.
What I found in watching what happen to friends, former friends, and now State Witnesses against State Lawmakers and Staffers, is the love and character I have seen from many friends among them.
Attorneys coming from far away to help, Lawmakers testifying for the truth at a critical time for re-election, and about standing up when accused of crimes in the face of political injustice for one man's gain.
No life Is Not Just About State Created Gypsys, Tramps, And Thieves, But About Family, Friends, And Faith In Trusting Each Other In Good and Bad Times!
Blessington: Manzo & Foreman also were at the top, equal to the 4 defendants. Both pleaded guilty.
ReplyDeleteOh, really, Manzo and Foreman were paid almost twice as much as any lawmaker.
Manzo and Foreman were paid to take care of the details of Lawmakers Offices to serve the Constituents not themselves.
Foreman in one year was paid close to $400,000 to be a Professional to oversee the activities of the HDC Offices.
Manzo was paid $150,000 far more than any Lawmaker pay and entrusted to serve the Lawmakers and their constituents not themselves.
Yet, both ran the show, and and did personal things to benefit them on state time, from private law practicing to sex to giving out bonuses after telling their lawmakers they were earned from hard work, not campaigning on state time.
If this is, what the OAG Prosecutors call equal then they are purposely misusing fundamental facts not proven in their case, and outright lying to the jury.
GIVE ME AN F...KING BREAK, USING IN THE WORDS OFTEN USED BY THE PROSECUTORS DURING THIS WHOLE DISGRACEFUL EPISODE OF TURNING LAWMAKERS INTO LAWBREAKERS.
Hope the Jury sees right through it!
Blessington says this is like an organized crime case.
ReplyDeleteGood people that worked over 20 years for Lawmakers and Constant Service are now compared to Al Capone, Lucky Lucian do, Bugsy Siegel, John Gotti, and Gambino’s?
Yeah right, while the AG office uses Guilty Pleas and Immunity Witnesses that admitted to breaking the Law under Oath, but are now telling the truth, keeping their jobs, pensions, and bonuses, the very same bonuses the Ag office said is illegal?
Meanwhile, AG Corbett takes $55,000 from Organized Crime Boss, DeNaples?
Now tell me, who are cops and who are the criminals when that happens and nothing happens to them, but they indict others to take honest lawmakers out of power?
As they keep a Casino license within the DeNaples Family, and Corbett become Governor?
Holy Scotty, Beam Me Up!
PPG TWITTER:
ReplyDeleteBlessington is standing at a lectern centered about 8 feet from the jury, his delivery is calm, the light in the room is low.
Almighty God no doubt removed the sunlight since Blessington is working with the Prince of Darkness Ethics.
AG Prosecutors preferred working in the dark anyway, as you can see from the Grand Jury to their State Paid Witnesses on Cross.
PPG TWITTER:
ReplyDeleteBlessington: Political challengers have no chance of winning against Team Veon & its taxpayer-funded political operation.
Well, how did Veon lose if this is true, while you are at it, throw in Jubelrier, Brightbill, and LaGrotta?
This in itself is untruth based on verifiable facts, of elections lost, if we are to believe the OAG?
ROXBURY TWITTER:
ReplyDeleteBlessington- did things get a little heated during the interviews? Yes they did...
YEAH, AFTER THE OAG PROSECUTORS AND AGENTS USED SWEAR WORDS FIRST AT ANYONE IN THE INTERVIEWS LIKE NAZI'S, CAUSING ALL INTERVIEW TO MAKE A "SOPHIA CHOICE" DECISION, "TESTIFY FOR US AGAINST YOUR BOSSES AND FRIENDS AND LIE UNDER OATH OR BE CHARGED AND LOSE YOUR PENSION....AND WE WILL LET YOU KEEP YOU ILLEGAL STATE BONUS AND JOB."
FOOTNOTE:
Sophie's Choice is a 1982 American drama romance film that tells the story of a Polish immigrant, Sophie.
Sophie was arrested and sent to Auschwitz with her children. Upon arrival, Jan, Sophie's son, was sent to the children's camp, and her daughter, Eva, was sent to her death in Crematorium Two.
Sophie was asked to choose which of her children would live and which would die.
When she was unable to choose, a Nazi officer said both would be sent to die, so she chose Jan to survive.
Sophie, tormented by her memory, returns commitS suicide by taking cyanide.
PPD TWITTER:
ReplyDeleteBlessington talks about testimony from House Comptroller Brown who said it is OK to claim per diems & charge dinners on same day.
Blessington: That demonstrated "the arrogance & mentality that we (lawmakers) can make up the rules"
Excuse me, those are the Rules, the only arrogant mentality is the OAG Tyrants bringing charges that are not crimes?
Just like the Geheime Staatspolizei, better known as "Secret State Police" or contraction of Gestapo in Nazi Germany.
This represented a radical departure from German tradition, which held that law enforcement was mostly local matter but once it went to the State it was very effective in turning political parties leadership into criminals claiming they broke laws that did not exists and in turn quashed their opposition against the Nazi Party.
The Nazi Party replaced all judges and all of sudden any political leadership opposing the Nazi became criminals so Hitler could rise even higher to power.
Laws were ignored that showed there was no wrong doing, but the Nazi ignores such rules, laws, and put the political opposition in jail, and placed fear on anyone that challenged them.
Sounds familiar, well, check out Corbett ignoring the wrong doings of the Republican Senators but persecuting the Democratic House Leadership?
How can Corbett ignore the complaint that Senate Republicans were working on State Time for Republican Judges while the crimes were were going on, as he defined such crimes?
This is how the Republicans will control the Governorship, Senate, house and Supreme Court by 2011, who will be their next political victims?
Now tell me, are we to believe only Democrats and one Republican lawmaker in Perzel, were in violation of such laws that are not crimes today?
Unless this Jury stops it here just like in the Ramaley case!
Blessington: The prosecution witnesses had no axe to grind against the defendants, no reason to falsly implicate.
ReplyDeleteI guess not??? Manzo under oath on Cross-said he was doing it to reduce his wife's sentence?
Foreman wants a lower charge and wants to practice law someday again; he needs the support of the OAG to do it in the future.
Corbett may well have promised Pardons later when he is Governor for all we know.
Every State Witnesses with Immunity is still paid on a state job they testified to never did legislative work, and everyone has kept their bonus too, a bonus the OAG says is illegal, if it is illegal, why allow them to keep it.
Corbett is the highest Law Enforcement Officer in the Commonwealth after all?
Hell, those are not axes; those are outright “State Paid For Bribes For Testimony”, are they not?
Blessington: There is a direct correlation between amount of time staffers volunteered & amount of bonuses they got...
ReplyDeleteWell, that is not true, since it was proven many staffers and volunteers still worked campaigns without taking any bonuses, what about that correlation?
Oh right, AG Office spin rules, or we will charge you!
Herr Tom Himmler Corbett! “Don’t Cross My Governor Campaign!”
PGG TWITTER:
ReplyDeleteBlessington: "People who do things legit hire people to do this work." They do not use state employees.
What about Mike Long getting the biggest bonus from Robert Jubelrier and never investigated and now working for Tom Corbett Campaign at the OAG?
What about Republican Party Asher that was convicted of crimes of selling state jobs, and now is the biggest fundraiser for Tom Corbett??
How can Tom Corbett have these two people working on his campaign and not be questioned about why they have not been investigated???
Oh forgive me, I forgot, the Judge quashed all subpoena to bring Republicans to testify????
"This is the most ridiculous prosecution that's ever been brought in this state and he ought to apologize after he withdraws these charges."
ReplyDeleteHey Joel! If you just delivered closing arguments, that's a good sign that the charges aren't going to be withdrawn.
ROXBURY TWITTER:
ReplyDeleteBlessington- brought up the basketball dinners and the testimony of Reps Wansacz and Marc Gergely.
Items on the menu during basketball dinners, shark, oxtail, crawfish portabella, oysters imperial, filet mignon, lobster.
WOW, I WONDER WHAT MENU ITEMS ARE ON CORBETT'S CAMPAIGN DINNERS PLANNED BY BIGGEST BONUS TAKER FROM JUBELRIERS STAFF TO CORBETT'S CAMPAIGN STAFF.
Once again, the Defense proved that having such dinners were not against any laws.
But the OAG still stuffs their faces and suffer from TRUTH DECAY!
Aw, lets hang these defendants in effigy, get a rope boys, string them up, hell forget hanging them in effigy, let’s do it, in Strawberry Square.
And let their bodies stay there until after the election to put fear in anyone that orders any shark, oxtail, crawfish portabella, oysters imperial, filet mignon, lobster.
Damn now, you will go to prison based on what you eat?
In Iran, you can be arrested for eating pork, in Harrisburg, if it is Lobster, you go directly to Jail, is the OAG argument????
Blessington- on the Fez fundraiser, they raised a half million dollars in one night and took photos smoking cigars...
ReplyDeleteWAIT, CORBETT RAISES $55,000 FROM FEDERAL DOJ IDENTIFIED ORGANIZED CRIME DENAPLES, WHILE CASEY, SPECTER, AND RENDELL GAVE IT ALL BACK, BUT CORBETT KEPT ALL OF IT.
When did it become illegal to smoke cigars and raise campaign money?
OH, BY THE WAY, VEON GAVE ALL THAT MONEY TO OTHER HOUSE DEMOCRAT CANDIDATES AND WAS LEFT WITH OVER A $40,000 CAMPAIGN DEBT AFTER HE LOST THE ELECTION.
So much for being Selfish and Smoking Cigars!
Blessington: Message from Cott to Manzo suggests money for employee who works hard, "especially" on a campaign...
ReplyDeleteManzo never said they did it on state time, he said they work long hours and then campaign.
Quite a difference!
Blessington: Veon staff institutionalized the criminal use of state resources....
ReplyDeleteRepublican History Lesson Relevant To AG Corbett Campaign Today:
During the early 1980s, employees of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania overpaid millions of dollars in Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes. As a result, the state solicited bids from accounting firms to calculate the amount of the refund each employee was due.
One firm, the California-based Computer Technology Associates, was owned by a Harrisburg native named John Torquato, Jr., who used his area connections and a series of bribes to obtain the contract worth a reputed $4.6 million. Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh received a memo anonymously informing him of what had happened.
After an investigation by the United States Attorney, Dwyer was charged with and indicted for receiving a kickback of $300,000 in return for using his influence and office to steer the contract toward CTA. The US Attorney also indicted Torquato, Torquato's attorney William Smith, Smith's wife and former state Republican Party Chairman Robert Asher.
In return for lighter penalties, Torquato and the Smiths pleaded guilty and testified on behalf of the government against Dwyer and Asher.
While chairman of the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania Asher was convicted of perjury, racketeering, conspiracy and bribery in connection with a state contract award.
He resigned after the conviction and served one year in federal prison.
The case gained national attention in 1987 when his co-defendant in that case and political ally, Pennsylvania State Treasurer Budd Dwyer, committed suicide on national television just before sentencing.
Robert B. "Bob" Asher (born September 7, 1937) is an American political figure, businessman and convicted felon from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Asher serves as Pennsylvania's committeeman on the Republican National Committee.
He was appointed to that position in 1998 by Governor Tom Ridge.
By 2004, Asher, despite not being a candidate for office, was becoming an issue in GOP campaigns.
That year, a developing feud between him and then Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce L. Castor, Jr. spilled over into the campaign.
After initially recruiting Castor to run for the position of Pennsylvania Attorney General, Asher moved to support former United States Attorney Tom Corbett.
Castor claimed that this was retaliation for Asher's failed attempt to gain a seat on the board of SEPTA, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.
Castor worked to deny Asher the appointment due to a state law which has been used to deny political positions to individuals with felony convictions.
The resulting campaigned turned bitter with charges from Castor that Corbett's primary supporter was someone who had been convicted of bribery.
Blessington on Eric Buxton- this is a classic waste of money, hundreds of thousands of tax dollars...
ReplyDeleteYep, and don't forget, OAG Witness Mike Manzo, approved it, not Mike Veon!
Forgot to mention that to the Jurors????
Blessington: Email from Cott asks various offices for list of staff who volunteered cuz he needs the names for "a project....
ReplyDeleteSorry God Blessington, the key word in that Email, is VOLUNTEERED, is english all of a sudden a problem?
Blessington: Message from Cott to Lavelle, the fund-raising guy: Cott says he is available to help any time
ReplyDeleteBlessington: Not on weekends, not after work, but any time. Cott was the campaign guy....
I thought "ANYTIME" includes Weekends, After Work, and ANY TIME!
Am I am stupid or something, or do I have to believe God Blessington nonsense with the english vocabulary?
PPG TWITTER
ReplyDeleteBlessington: The efforts fed Veon's power, his ego and his arrogance. One message, Veon asks Cott, Foreman & APR if there are "any school board races we need to help with."
Blessington: "He is looking for races to be involved in."
Blessington: The efforts fed Veon's power, his ego and his arrogance.
WOW, guess when you are elected to public office according to AG Corbett's Prosecutors, you are not allow to help out other local candidates????
Holy Gladiolas, and there was Corbett campaigning for Tom Ridge all those years.
Holy Gladiolas, is not that part of Public service, helping other candidate become elected and serving the people.
AG Corbett is showing once again, the Nazi Tendency to criminalize campaigning if it is against the other party.
Briggs_abc27 Twitter:
ReplyDeleteBlessington apologizes to jury for taking so long but sez he wants to refute every misrepresentation defense made Thursday...
RESPONSE:
The only misrepresentations were created at the Runaway Grand Jury conducted by the Vulgar Prosecutors that ignored Exculpatory evidence, on orders from AG Corbett's Campaign Staff for Governor!
Briggs_abc27 Twitter:
Blessington wrapping up...asking jury not to forget the victims in this case...the taxpayers of the Commonwealth...
RESPONSE:
The biggest waste of Taxpayers’ money was conducting this Trial for Governor on the Taxpayers dime with 800 OAG Employees unable to investigate any Republicans Senators and House Members except one in John Perzel that refused to endorse Corbett for Governor.
The other waste of Taxpayers’ money was paying State Immunity Witnesses to keep their jobs to testify against the Defendants after they admitted they broke work rules and state crime code rules and refused to pay back the Bonuses the OAG claim are Illegal.
If they are illegal, then why does the OAG permit them to be kept by admitted criminals that avoided prosecution by lying as instructed by the OAG Prosecutors as Cross-Examination proved at Trial.
The final misuse of State Money and Resources were how badly the OAG conducted the Grand Jury hearings, refusing to record them, forcing people to lie, and costing millions to make charges but refusing to show evidence that prove the Defendants are innocent.
Briggs_abc27 Twitter:
Blessington: This is the only way you can change things. What are you going to do about it?...
RESPONSE:
The HDCC passed ethical reforms within 10 months after 2006 elections.
The Republican never passed anything because they were never investigated as the Democrats were under Republican AG Corbett.
How can things change under Corbett when he allowed State Employees that admitted working on Campaigns on State Time for Bonuses and admitted they never did Legislative work under oath, but still are employ at the State, on State Payroll, and never gave back the Bonuses, ALL ALLOWED BY AG CORBETT???
Holy Gladiolas!
Did I miss something? Was Dame Edna on the stand? What's with the Holy Glads? I must have been in the loo.
ReplyDeleteROXBURY TWITTER;
ReplyDeleteThe jumbotron has gone dark, Blessington is wrapping things up- the victim is the taxpayer...
OH MY GOD, NOT THE JUMBOTRON, NOT TO THE DARK SIDE TOO!
I can hear it now,
AG Corbett: "Come To the Dark Side Jumbotron, You Cannot Hide Forever, Jumbotron.
AG Corbett: "If Only You Knew The Power Of The Dark Side."
AG Corbett: Give Yourself To The Dark Side. It Is The Only Way You Can Save Your Friends. Yes, Your Thoughts And Friends Betray You.
AG Corbett: Your Feelings For Them Are Strong.
AG Corbett: Especially For... Immunity Friends That Save Only Themselves, Their Jobs, Their Pensions, Their Bonuses, By Doing As I Say.
AG Corbett: If All Of You Will Not Turn To The Dark Side... Then Perhaps The Jumbotron Will Be Used Against You Again!
AG Corbett: My Campaign Was Built By Ruining You And Will Not Be Stopped, The Dark Side Has Protected Me, And DeNaples Is On My Side.
AG Corbett: Join Us On The Dark Side, There Are Other Democrats We Must Destroy!
AG Corbett: "Now You Know The Power Of The Dark Side."
AG Corbett: If I Can Do It To You, I Can Do It To Anybody!
AG Corbett: Good, Jumbotron, That Is Good, Now You Are On The Dark Side With me, No Way Will I Destroy Your Plasma TV Friends Now, So long As You Do My Bidding!
Paid for Corbett for Governor On Tax Dollars By Way of Trial:
Tom Corbett For Governor He Is Looking Out For You!
HITLER CAMPAIGN SLOGANS IN 1930's:
LINK:
http://www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/gpa/posters2.htm
"For The Betterment Of The German People"
"Change We Need"
Doesn't that sound familiar?
A FEW MORE:
"Let Hitler work!" Courtesy of the University of Minnesota Library.
"The Reich will never be destroyed if you are united and loyal." Courtesy of Dr. Robert D. Brooks.
IMMUNITY WITNESSES PAYMENTS:
"German people! That is fourteen years of serfdom. Never forget it! Now you must demand payment. You will receive that payment if you vote for Adolf Hitler." Courtesy of the University of Minnesota Library.
Each year there was a drive to solicit donations to help the needy. Contributions were not entirely "voluntary." The text translates as: "No one shall go hungry! No one shall be cold!" Photo courtesy of Dr. Robert D. Brooks.
Saar Plebiscite! We in the Saar are loyal — We stand for honor and the fatherland. Are you thinking of us?" Courtesy of Dr. Robert D. Brooks.
Hitler is quoted as saying: "I ask the German people to strengthen my faith and to lend me its strength so that I will always and everywhere have the strength to fight for its honor and freedom, to work for its economic prosperity, and particularly to strenthen me in my struggles for genuine peace." Karl Wahl says: "German women and men, it is in your own interest to fulfill the Führer's request and vote on 29 March 1936. Be loyal to him who is loyal!" Courtesy of Dr. Robert D. Brooks.
We stand with the Führer. The oath of the German people on 29.3!" Courtesy of the University of Minnesota Library.
"Victory is with our Flags."
Anonymous said...Did I miss something? Was Dame Edna on the stand? What's with the Holy Glads? I must have been in the loo. March 12, 2010 12:55 PM
ReplyDeleteYou did not miss a thing, the entire Courtroom felt they were in a loo.
The stench from from foul mouth Blessington, was full of Truth Decay, with a myopic view of what AG Corbett thinks is campaigning on state time, eating on state time, sleeping on state time, and working on state time.
The big smell is coming from AG Corbett hiring all those Republican Staffers from the Republican Senate doing all those things, but is given Immunity since he has Two Phones?
Is There a DeNaples-Corbett Connection?
ReplyDeleteHere are the facts:
1. Our Pennsylvania Gaming Law specifically provides that the Attorney General (AG) is the dude with PRIMARY responsibility for investigating and instituting criminal proceedings. It even goes so far as to authorize creation of a separate gaming unit under the AG. Although county DAs clearly have authority to look at what goes on under their noses, the legislature obviously wants its varsity squad to have first crack on these matters.
2. Attorney General Tom Corbett is nevertheless letting the second string handle the prosecution of Poconos casino owner Louis A. DeNaples. You see, some people think that the mafia has ties to the gambling industry. I'd never have guessed that. Screwy Louey - who's also in solid waste management just like the Sopranos - is charged with lying about his ties to Scranton crime bosses Russel Buffalino, Christopher Moltisanti and Corrado "Junior" Soprano. I guess the grand jury never believed that nun, Sister Mary Petunia, who claimed Louey has "great respect for the elderly and the poor."
If Louey can fool a nun, he's good.
3. So now we've got Dauphin County JVs doing the heavy lifting in a major prosecution. When the second team's authority was questioned before the state supremes, guess who rushed to their defense? That's right. AG Corbett actually filed a brief that amazingly supports Dauphin DA Marsico. The court relied heavily on the AG's abdication of his own authority.
4. Apparently, the state police brought the case to the DA instead of the AG. Why did the staties go to Dauphin County instead of directly to the AG? Why was the AG in such a hurry to dump this case?
5. That's elementary, my dear bippy. The answer is money, lots and lots. The garbage business is very profitable. Ask Tony Soprano. According to Dave Ralis, De Naples has contributed a whopping $1 million to prosecutors, judges and political parties. All perfectly legit, too. Legal bribery. Ralis claims at least $35 thousand of that sugar went to AG Corbett. According to the Inky, it's actually $55,000. Oh yeah, Ed Rendell picked up a cool $140 grand from Louey, too, and calls him "salt of the earth" right before he kisses his ring.
6. As you can see for yourself on Ralis' Daily Rant, Corbett was taking DeNaples' money just 2 months before the slots law was passed. Once DeNaples applied for a casino license, DeNaples was barred by law from making campaign contributions.
7. State police were reluctant to share information with the AG and instead went to a local prosecutor.
Here are some questions:
1. Why did Corbett take a pass on NOT PROSECUTING DeNaples? Money? Friendship? Some other reason?
2. If DeNaples is really connected to the mob, as one grand jury seems to think, then what the hell was Corbett thinking when he took $55,000 from him? For that matter, what the hell was Rendell thinking? Corbett should return this money now that DeNaples has been indicted for a gaming law- related crime, one that Corbett should have been prosecuting in the first place.
3. State police went to the JVs instead of the AG, even though he has the muscle for this kind of an investigation. We have AGs for precisely this reason - the prosecution of major organized crime. Why did staties go local? Were they following the money, too?
I smell a new HBO series.
LINK:
http://lehighvalleyramblings.blogspot.com/2008/02/is-there-denaples-corbett-connection.html
DeNaples has a felony criminal record from the late '70s.
ReplyDeleteCorbett was also attacked by his primary opponent for taking even more money from another convicted felon, Bob Asher, who was then a paid lobbyist for the gambing industry.
Gambling is huge money and much was riding on who the state's top cop would be. The same issues still are there, only sharpened now.
Republican Attorney General Tom Corbett, who received a $55,000 donation from DeNaples in 2004, does not plan to return the money, spokesman Kevin Harley said.
"When he received that contribution, that was before Mr. DeNaples had even applied for a license," Harley said. "When he accepted that campaign contribution from Mr. DeNaples, Mr. DeNaples was not under investigation, was not applying for a gaming license and was just a businessman in Northeastern Pennsylvania."
Corbett also wouldn't recuse himself from any investigations involving DeNaples.
"If an issue came up ... we would investigate it," Harley said.
District Attorney Castor called into question Corbett's taking money from DeNaples and Asher saying they were both convicted criminals tied to gambling.
Nevertheless, DeNaples got the license and after violating the Gaming Board Rules, transfer his ownership of Mount Airy to a trust run by his daughter for the benefit of his children.
Now what has happened? Maybe DeNaples shouldn't have gotten the license and what has Corbett done about it? Zip.
In fact, DeNaples tried to get this case transferred to Corbett where he thought he would get more favorable treatment.
Seems Castor was right to call all this into question.
Castor said theDeNaples/Gambling/Criminal past and Corbett would prove to be a problem.
Mr. DeNaples ran his Keystone Sanitary Landfill in a way that state officials concluded was environmentally unsound.
ReplyDeleteDid Waste Management buy DeNaples Garbage Dump?
And was Tom Corbett involved way back when??
When Sansone talked about this case being garbage in and garbage out, was he talking about Corbett-DeNaples Connections???
Anonymous March 12, 2010 1:03 PM...you missed few other Hitler Slogans:
ReplyDeleteAdolf Hitler quote:
The efficiency of the truly national leader consists primarily in preventing the division of the attention of a people, and always in concentrating it on a single enemy.
"Führer, we will follow you." Courtesy of Dr. Robert D. Brooks.
Adolf Hitler quotes:
Without law and order our nation cannot survive.
Adolf Hitler quotes:
The great masses of the people ... will more easily fall victims to a big lie than to a small one.
"Freedom and Bread," was the slogan used by Hitler with great effect during the Nazi campaign against tired old President Hindenburg.
I CAN SEE CORBETT NEW SLOGAN AFTER BLESSINGTON CLOSING.....FREEDOM BUT NO LOBSTER, OXTAIL, OR SHARK FOR YOU!
In October 1931, the former Austrian Corporal was presented to the former Field Marshal. Hitler was a bit unnerved by the old gentleman and rambled on at length trying to impress him.
ReplyDeleteHindenburg was not impressed and later said Hitler might be suited for Postmaster, but never for a high position such as the Chancellorship of Germany.
October of 1931 marked the beginning of the political intrigue that would destroy the young republic and ultimately make Hitler Führer of Germany.
Constant political squabbling among the numerous political parties in the Reichstag resulted in ineffective government.
Adding to the problem, there were now over a hundred elected Nazis in the Reichstag. Under the leadership of Hermann Göring, they regularly disrupted proceedings with "Vulgar", rowdy behavior to help undermine democracy in Germany.
The German people were desperate for relief from the tremendous personal suffering brought on by the Great Depression, now two years old.
Millions were unemployed, thousands of small businesses had failed, and homelessness and starvation were real possibilities for everyone.
But from their elected leaders, the people got nothing but indecision.
In ever-growing numbers they turned to the decisive man, Adolf Hitler, and his promises for a better future.
"Freedom and Bread," was the slogan used by Hitler with great effect during the Nazi campaign against tired old President Hindenburg.
Once the Nazi Party had taken power, or rather gained control of the Reichstag, Hitler made moves to gain control of the institutions that ran Germany on a day to Day basis.
This was achieved in a number of ways.
Opposition ranged from non-compliance with Nazi regulations.
Among the earliest resistance to the regime was the political opposition organized by other political parties.
However, opposition within Germany proved ineffectual, as the Security Police (Sipo) crushed political organizations by force, trials, or sent to jail.
They purposely misinterpreted laws to provide a new and potent tool for suppressing political opposition and independent criticism of government policy.
It turn political speech and political practices and peaceful protest into terrorist acts.
Nazi won and ruled for about 12 years only after millions died to stop them.
Stop Corbett’s Misinterpretations Of Legal Laws Now, Acquit Mike Veon!
Bring back Justice. Acquit Veon!! go team Casa!! Surcharge Corbett!!
ReplyDeleteObviously all charged, convicted or not, hav suffered incredible and irreperable damage. We'll see in time about verdicts, but in the meantime, a set of other winners and losers:
ReplyDeleteWINNERS:
* Judge Lewis, looked good and came over well; he gains no matter what.
* Tracie Mariello, most follwed tweeter and becoming well oved jornalist.
* Mike Palermo. Who knew this guy would be distinguished as the most effective lawyer.
* Dwight Evans, just because he was nver implicated.
LOSERS:
* DeWeese, Eachus and McCall, all of whom were drawn in one way or another.
* Rynak. Probably makes no final difference, but he turned out to be verbose, bad questioner a rankly unlikeable.
* Reeder. Given all he attacks the defense launched on the AG office, Reeder really emerged as a bad guy.
* House Democrats. How does this not hurt bunch of them? i.e., thse implicated like Buxton, and those who employ those besmirched like Dermody, Mann, etc.
* Never Senator Wancasz. Only downsid.
Did the jury hear the remarks about Raynak worked for free/said he didn't work for free in PPG article? That seems very prejdicial. If jury heard it, is that basis for an appeal?
ReplyDeleteRESPONSE IN CAPS:
ReplyDeleteWINNERS:
* Judge Lewis, looked good and came over well; he gains no matter what.
NOPE, MADE MANY MISTAKES, WILL BE OVERTURN IF THERE IS AN APPEAL.
* Tracie Mariello, most follwed tweeter and becoming well oved jornalist.
NEUTRAL, TERRIBLE AT FIRST, BUT GOT BETTER AFTER SHE FOCUSED ON BEING A BETTER JOURNALIST GIVING US WHAT WAS SAID, NOT OPINIONS ON COFFEE.
* Mike Palermo. Who knew this guy would be distinguished as the most effective lawyer.
BIG WINNER, I THINK IF APR IS ACQUITTED, THEY ALL HAVE TO BE ACQUITTED, AND DUE TO HIM.
* Dwight Evans, just because he was nver implicated.
OH, HE HAS BEEN IMPLICATED, IF ANY DEFENDANTS ARE FOUND GUILTY, SOME MAY TURN ON OTHER LAWMAKERS TO GET A LESSER SENTENCE, EVANS IS NOT OUT THE WOODS. ALTHOUGH I HOPE NO OTHER LAWMAKERS ARE CHARGED NOW.
LOSERS:
* DeWeese, Eachus and McCall, all of whom were drawn in one way or another.
ALL LEAVING LEADERSHIP EXCEPT EACHUS AND HE STILL HAS BIG PROBLEM WITH KIDS FOR CASH CONNECTIONS.
* Rynak. Probably makes no final difference, but he turned out to be verbose, bad questioner a rankly unlikeable.
HE HAS PASSION, HE FOUGHT HARD, HE WAS UNDER GREAT PRESSURE BY THE JUDGE.
* Reeder. Given all he attacks the defense launched on the AG office, Reeder really emerged as a bad guy.
REEDER NEEDS TO GO BEFORE PA BAR FOR DISCIPLINE ACTION ON HIS VULGARITY.
* House Democrats. How does this not hurt bunch of them? i.e., thse implicated like Buxton, and those who employ those besmirched like Dermody, Mann, etc.
EVEN WITHOUT BONUSGATE, DEMOCRATS IN BIG TROPUBLE IN 2010 ELECTIONS, OVER PRESIDENT OBAMA HEALTH CARE AND TEH WAY THEY SOLD IT, BOUGHT IT, AND HANDLE THEMSELVES.
AMERICANS ARE AGAINST IT, BUT THEY THINK AMERICANS ARE FOR IT. BIG BIG MISTAKE, AND BIG, BIG LOSSES IN 2010.
* Never Senator Wancasz. Only downsid.
STAY TRUE TO HIS FRIENDS, DID PROFILE IN COURAGE, HE STOOD TALL, FOR ALL.
HOPE PEOPLE SEE IT!
REAL LOSERS:
PA Taxpayers, Bonuses Paid Not return, Employees Keep Job and Pensions No legislative work, expenses for OAG trails, and no investigation of senate bonuses before the election.
March 12, 2010 3:23 PM
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteDid the jury hear the remarks about Raynak worked for free/said he didn't work for free in PPG article? That seems very prejdicial. If jury heard it, is that basis for an appeal?
March 12, 2010 3:25 PM
I don't know Tracie, but Blessington pointed it out, it will not be about you, even though you think so!
There are plenty of other more important Judge Errors that will put these cases on Appeal if found Guilty.
Saints Simon and Jude, you left home and traveled afar in order to bring the Good News of God's love to all the nations.
ReplyDeleteYou preached enthusiastically about what you learned personally from the words and works of our Lord, Jesus.
You courageously faced criticism, rejection and eventually martyrdom.
Ask the Lord to send us his Spirit so that we might be faithful messengers of God's love, forgiveness and justice to our selfish, violent and unjust world.
Help us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world by the loving and compassionate way we speak to and treat one another.
Amen.
Tanakh Jewish
ReplyDeleteHear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
From the end of the earth will I call unto Thee, when my heart fainteth; lead me to a rock that is too high for me.
For Thou hast been a refuge for me, a tower of strength in the face of the enemy.
I will dwell in Thy Tent for ever; I will take refuge in the covert of Thy wings. Selah
An Insight Into the Prayer of Jonah in the Qur'an
ReplyDeleteThen he cried out in the deep darkness:
"There is no deity save Thee!
Limitless are Thee in Thy glory!
Verily, I have done wrong."
And so We responded unto him and delivered him from my distress:
"For thus do We deliver all who have faith."
Qur'an 21: 87-88
In history no philosopher has ever affected more individual lives than Confucius did.
ReplyDeleteFor around 2000 years Confucianism was “…the most important single force in Chinese life…”.
His beliefs were formed when he was a young man.
Dismayed by the state China was in.
He wanted people with power to adopt better morals and compassion.
He thought that for peace to be reached, people needed to find li (courtesy) in there lives.
Meaning that society could only reach the “ideal” if everyone was moral and responsible.
Confucius never saw what his ideas did for China; dying many centuries before they were recognized.
Confucius’s life was to him unfulfilling but the influence he had on the world would rival most religious figures.
He became well respected for his fairness and his knowledge of Chinese traditions.
He was happy to teach any one who wanted to be taught and quickly people were lining up to see him.
Duke Chao admired him so much that he game him a job as an advisor to his domain.
When Chao was exiled from Lu Confucius followed him to Ch’i.
Eventually, his benefactor sends him into exile and is forced to wander for many years before he is allowed to return home where he assembles his book of wisdom.
In Ch’i he earned the same respect that he had in Lu but the Duke of the state wouldn’t put Confucius’s doctrines into practice even though he believed in them.
In 511 B.C. Chao died in exile and Confucius returned to Lu where he gave up on government and started a private school.
People came from far and wide to be taught by Confucius.
“Confucius was changing China one student at a time”.
So Blessington said Raynak either lied when he said he was being paid or he lied when he told Tracie M that he wasn't? Was TM's interview with Raynak recorded or witnessed by others or is the word of a newspaper reporter now gospel truth? I have nothing against TM.............I'll admit I think it's bizarre that she's getting pats on the back for sitting on her butt and typing what people say............big deal, I think an eighth grader could do that......but since when is the word of a reporter who's not under oath admissible in court as part of a closing argument?????
ReplyDeleteFolks, rhetoric aside, this whole case now boils down to a single question.
ReplyDeleteWill the jury accept as fact, the sworn testimony of those, that otherwise, would certainly be sporting an orange jump suit?
You said one uestion: will jors accept the word of liars who would be in an orange jumpsuit. But those who gave most direct testimony against Veon and Cott: Bliss, Caton, Eric Webb, Lewis, Steiner Blaner, McNeil, Martz, were never charged. And what about the dozens ofe mails that directly implicat Veon and Cott. And the Raynik thing, isnt that a lie too, or is Tracie Maurillo headed fo an rang jump suit too?
ReplyDeleteActually, 7 of those witnesses will be wearing tgose jumpsuits.
ReplyDeleteHere is the easier question? Which is more likely, that 40 people conspired to frame veon & co and all tell identical lies under oath? Or that mike and co knew and were complicit? No contest, really.
Bliss, Caton, Eric Webb, Lewis, Steiner Blaner, McNeil, Martz all were granted immunity in exchange for their testimony.
ReplyDeleteHope the jury delivers a resounding not guilty all around. The people persecuted throughout this have suffered enough, including Tracie and her sore behind. Hope she didn't get hemorrhoids from those hard benches.
ReplyDeletePost my comments you pussies. Or are you hoping the jury is reading this nonsense?
ReplyDeleteWhat I admired most how Mike Veon operated his office for all citizens, was when it was revealed how he DEMANDED that no phone go unanswered before 3 rings.
ReplyDeleteThis is clear evidence and shows caring for citizens, accountability of staffers when he was there, and most of all a Lawmaker that worked hard for the people.
Mike Veon worked long hours because he loved his job, sure, he admits he made mistakes, but never criminal intent to defraud or misuse the Taxpayers dollars, as alleged.
It is quite clear to me; the Republicans hated this kind of devotion of Public Service, and are happy Veon was not just removed from office but now being blamed for being effective as catalyst for the people.
God Bless Mike Veon!
Signor Ferrari said...
ReplyDeleteBliss, Caton, Eric Webb, Lewis, Steiner Blaner, McNeil, Martz all were granted immunity in exchange for their testimony. March 13, 2010 10:31 AM....
All took bonuses and never repaid them, all admitted they broke work rules under and never dismissed by still being paid, all kept jobs, salaries, and pensions, while testifying for the Office of the Attorney General and all were caught lying or made up testimony and forgot what they said to the Grand Jury, on Cross by Defense lawyers.
Staffers come begging for a job, when they get it, they think they are smarter than the Lawmaker that was elected, that they only have jobs because of the Name on that door is the Lawmaker.
The Elected Lawmaker runs for election, has to raise money, has to attend community events, go door to door, use the phones, and attends campaign and political event.
This is often an 18-hour job, the staffer goes home at 5 PM, but the Elected Lawmaker has to see Lobbyists, has to meet with community activists, and has to talk to other Lawmakers.
Does it happen at fine Restaurants sure it does, does it happen at fancy country clubs, you bectha, and does it mean going to mansions to soup kitchens to labor rallies, you bet it does!
Does it mean they live a great life, NO!
The Lawmakers cannot go to church without being told a political opinion, or ask if they can help someone son or daughter get a job, their families suffer greatly from seldom seeing them.
The higher up the more time is needed to take care of the People's Business.
The longer they stay the more enemies they make, not because they go looking for them, but because they have to defend the policies of the government that go from popular to unpopular in months and days.
The higher and longer they stay, the more jealousy and envy they accrue from fellow colleagues looking to take their jobs.
Staffers never think how their behavior can hurt a Lawmaker, how they are paid sometimes more to take care of the details needed for the Elected Lawmaker to be more effective.
Staffers grow jealous, petty, and often just become upset because they do not have the attention of the Elected Lawmaker...yet they beg for more money, claim they work so hard, and will betray the Elected Lawmakers but talking behind his back.
Now this does not apply to ALL STAFFERS, like Rosepink, Keefer or Cott, but it does apply to most of them.
This should have been explained at trial, what the real business Elected Lawmakers do, and what the staff must do to support and help them.
Corbett's OAG views are myopic and they want lazy Elected Lawmakers’ doing nothing, as most republicans, that protect the 5% that control 99% of the wealth, and any Elected Lawmakers’ trying to do a better job is attacked for it, by working, dining, and eating foods often in the employ of the 5% Wealthy that do not want change at all and hire these lobbyists, lawyers, and campaign staffers to undercut any Elected leader anytime.
This is what this Trial is all about! Selfish Staffers that grew to hate their Bosses, and Vulgar Prosecutors working for Corbett's Governors Campaign to target any political leadership that will not support him.
Here is something I cannot measure to understand if the Jury understands this Trial.
ReplyDeleteI am told 2 to 3 Jurors took copious notes throughout the Trial, but that has been explained that the more educated Jurors will do just that to achieve a proper verdict.
However, on Closings, some Jurors were taking notes when all the Defense Lawyers were closing, but not as much when Attorney Raynack was Closing, and that may be due to him having to sum up the entire flaws in the OAG Case.
Nevertheless, when OAG Prosecutors Blessington was closing, none of the Jurors took any notes; they listened, but no notes.
I would like others to comment and explain what they feel this means, did the Jurors already make their minds after 6 long weeks, or are they going to take a long time to sort all of this out.
I think they know the truth now and it will be short time when all verdicts are in, maybe 1 to 2 days at most.
I feel Veon's Defense Team did an exceptional job in showing how failed this case was from the start, but you never know what a Jury is going to do.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteSo Blessington said Raynak either lied when he said he was being paid or he lied when he told Tracie M that he wasn't? Was TM's interview with Raynak recorded or witnessed by others or is the word of a newspaper reporter now gospel truth? I have nothing against TM.............I'll admit I think it's bizarre that she's getting pats on the back for sitting on her butt and typing what people say............big deal, I think an eighth grader could do that......but since when is the word of a reporter who's not under oath admissible in court as part of a closing argument????? March 12, 2010 11:43 PM
Blessington closing was full of errors and tried to place fear into the Jurors far more than anything Raynack did at closing.
Attorney Raynack Sansone, Walk, and Fetteroff are Private Attorneys that have to work hard for a living and paid by clients not Taxpayers.
Blessington, Reeder, Krastek, and Fina are paid by the Taxpayers with all the resources of the Commonwealth Office of AG have before them with 800 employees.
Did you notice Tom Corbett was nowhere to be found, he did not even come to the trial, he hired these Prosecutors using Taxpayers dollars, and let them do the investigation and trial, and he is an Elected Leader as Attorney General running for Governor while being paid on the Taxpayers Dime.
So, tell, Veon was supposed to know about every Email, Phone Call, Bonus, and Campaign detail?
Veon was suppose to make sure his Staffers did everything proper all of the time, even if those Staffers made mistakes, hid things from him, other staffers, and their wives and husbands, and broke the law without care or reason, just so that got higher pay, and were ready to lie anytime.
Corbett should be ashamed of himself; he is trying to make running for office crimes for Democrats while providing money for Republicans Campaigns.
Yet, they found no time to investigate the Republican Senate in the Majority using the same standards.
CORBETT IS AND ALWAYS BEEN A HYPOCRITE!
die hoch fahne!
ReplyDeleteI wonder was AG Corbett aware of the unethical behavior of his AG Deputy Prosecutors use of the F-Words, within a Grand Jury Hearing.
ReplyDeleteThis is an outright violation of Pennsylvania Disciplinary rules of Professional Conduct.
Some Witnesses and Lawyer need to file a Complaint and hold his Unprofessional and Unethical Accountable as well as Corbett himself since he supervised them!
Where are the Democratic Lawyers and ACLU on this behavior?
Out to Lunch?
The Disciplinary Board and the US Attornys office received complaints about Costanzo and Corbett months ago. It was sent to all 3 US attorneys in Pa and two office of the DB in Phila and Harrisburg. An investigation is under way with regard to their illegal and unethical conduct.
ReplyDelete