Not that anyone will bother to ask the Corbett campaign, but if Jane Orie is indicted this week, as KDKA reports tonight, how will Tom Corbett explain how his three-year investigation missed what District Attorney Stephen Zappala's found in just five months?
How will he explain why the prosecutorial arm of his campaign refused to investigate when an intern tried to report the questionable activity? ("Ex-Orie intern:'I knew I had to do something'" Post-Gazette 1/6/10)
How will he explain why Orie apparently felt free to engage in questionable campaign activities in 2009 despite a supposedly active and ongoing investigation of the Senate Republican Caucus?
Just what kind of investigation can he have been conducting when this sort of activity goes on right under his nose?
Despite the acquittal of Mike Veon and his co-defendants on a majority of the politically-motivated charges against them, the Veon prosecution has been paraded around Harrisburg as a sacred symbol that conduct like Orie's would Not Be Tolerated. Or, at least, that politicians would take more care in keeping up appearances.
But if intern Jennifer Knapp Rioja is telling the truth, Orie behaved as if she had nothing to fear. And Corbett's refusal to investigate her claims indicates Orie had good reason to believe it.
It's easy to understand why Orie mistakenly believed the Corbett campaign was the last word in law enforcement in Pennsylvania, since that's how the Capitol press corps has treated it.
But it appears that they - and she - were wrong. Wonder what else they've been wrong about?
32 comments:
Maybe to save face, the AG will investigate Southwestern Republican candidates for Representative in the PA General Assembly - G.Deluca, Kime, Massafra, Yeager, Evankovich, Dunbar & Ferguson.
Rumor is that they all signed the notarized affidavit as circulator on petitions that they did not actually circulate. Date & street location inconsistencies strongly suggest that someone else circulated the petition and the candidate signed as circulator in violation of the law.
The AG should investigate them for these blatant, illegal violations and prosecute them or does he fear that other Republican party operatives and leaders (ie: Sen. Ward, Rep. Reed, Com. Irey) will get drawn in too?
OH WHAT CORBETT HAS BROUGHT FORTH AND WILL COME TO BITE HIM BACK IN HIS OWN BUTT OF A CAMPAIGN WITH A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR....NO GOVERNORSHIP LONG FOR YOU....AND HOW WELL DESERVED AND APPROPRIATE!!!!
SENATOR WARD UP ON DECK AND SOME OTHER OTHER REPUBLICAN SENATORS WHOSE COMPUTER BANKS ARE FILLED WITH INFORMATION NOT ERASABLE NOW!
Grand jury accuses state Sen. Jane Orie
Says Republican state senator misused office, staff
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
By Dennis B. Roddy and Paula Reed Ward, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
An Allegheny County grand jury has accused Jane Orie, the third-ranking Republican in the state Senate, of widespread use of her office and staff for political campaigns on state time, including the state Supreme Court campaign of her sister, Justice Joan Orie Melvin.
The grand jury's findings are expected to become public sometime this week, according to sources close to the case.
Charges are expected against both Ms. Orie and one other person who is not believed to be a member of her staff.
The investigation, which became public knowledge Dec. 24, centers on allegations that staff and state resources were routinely used to arrange political meetings, fundraising and even work on telephone banks.
Accusations include that political work stretched over several years and involved campaigns other than Justice Melvin's.
Justice Melvin has not been charged in the investigation, but sources connected to it said Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. might refer any involvement by her to the office of state Attorney General Tom Corbett.
Last night, Ms. Orie's attorney, Jerry McDevitt, said he was not surprised at word that his client would face charges.
He reiterated his longstanding assertions that the prosecution of Ms. Orie, a Republican, by the office of Mr. Zappala, a Democrat, was politically motivated.
"It was obvious, from Day One, Zappala was going to try to wreck the Orie family to retaliate for the positions they've taken adverse to the Zappala family," he said.
Mr. McDevitt and Ms. Orie both have suggested that she has been targeted for prosecution because of her opposition to expanded casino gambling in Pennsylvania.
Mr. Zappala's father, former state Supreme Court Justice Stephen A. Zappala Sr., has served as an official with a group representing the casino industry.
The DA has repeatedly rejected the accusation, calling it a diversionary tactic.
Mr. McDevitt also said he no longer will represent Ms. Orie after criminal charges are filed.
"They are people of modest means," said Mr. McDevitt of the law firm K&L Gates.
CONTINUED BELOW.....
FROM GOD ABOVE....
The investigation began after a University of Pittsburgh graduate student, Jennifer Knapp Rioja, left her unpaid internship in Ms. Orie's McCandless office after protesting that she and another intern were being forced to perform political campaign chores.
Her complaint sparked an inquiry that quickly resulted in an immunity agreement for Ms. Orie's chief-of-staff, Jamie Pavlot, who, the grand jury reported, steered them to a wide array of potentially improper office activities.
Ms. Pavlot has remained working at the Orie district office. She has not responded to calls for comment.
At least two witnesses said they told investigators of widespread political activities within the office, including a series of phone banks to which employees were transported during work hours to make calls on behalf of various Republican candidates.
One witness told investigators that employees were assigned fictitious names one year and taken to a phone bank where they made calls for the 2004 re-election campaign of President George W. Bush.
One witness told investigators that he was assigned to stuff envelopes for an earlier campaign by Justice Melvin and that he was also dispatched to a nearby office, given the name "Austin" and instructed to work a phone bank for the Bush campaign.
The witness, who spoke to the Post-Gazette on condition of anonymity, also told of taking constituent inquiries at the senator's office and being instructed to immediately add those names to Ms. Orie's campaign contribution list.
The other witness, Ms. Rioja, gave a detailed account of her experiences to the newspaper, saying she and another intern were instructed to work on the campaign of Justice Melvin.
Following that complaint, former and current staff members as well as a large number of former office interns were reached by investigators.
A number of them reportedly provided accounts similar to those of Ms. Rioja.
Ms. Rioja last night declined to comment.
Since the investigation was revealed, Mr. McDevitt has gone on the offensive, accusing the district attorney's office of playing politics.
In a lengthy motion filed with Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John Zottola to prohibit Mr. Zappala's office from prosecuting the case, Mr. McDevitt included a detailed list of potential conflicts of interest between his client and members of Mr. Zappala's family and office.
Included were allegations that the district attorney was only targeting Ms. Orie because she had previously called into question concerns that his father and sister, Michele Zappala Peck, were involved in the state casino industry.
Further, Mr. McDevitt included claims that the lead prosecutor on the case, Lawrence Claus, held a grudge against Ms. Orie dating from more than a decade ago when she was working as an assistant attorney general.
In an affidavit filed by Ms. Orie that accompanied the motion for disqualification, she said she had a dispute with Mr. Claus, who was then her supervisor, over whether charges should be filed in a case involving local politics.
Ms. Orie thought that they should not be, the affidavit said. From that point on, she said, she was subjected to a hostile work environment, which eventually required a transfer to a different division.
She claims that when Mr. Corbett took over as state attorney general, she gave an interview to his transition team regarding the situation, and Mr. Claus was later dismissed.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10096/1048171-454.stm#ixzz0kJI7bOWC
MY OH MY, SANTA CLAUS COMES TO THE RESCUE OF THE DEMOCRATS AND A FATE AWAITS CORBETT AND HIS STAFFERS!
Corbett karma is on the dark side now, and nothing can save him.
Whne he turned legal Campaigning into Illegal Charges, he set up his own Republican Party in ways only a Special Prosecutor will unravel way back to the Ridge and Bush Campaigns, and every Republican Senator and a few House members.....AND MOSTLY THE REPUBLICAN JUDGES WILL START TO LAWYER UP!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Someone needs to put up a Website on Corbett In Handcuffs and report all his Campaign Donors and when they were called and gave to his Campaign.
Next a full investigation of all Prosecutors Conduct, watch them wet their pants under questioning, I see a field day for the Fifth Amendment!
Remember, if you cannot recall or take the Fifthe too much, you can be charged for those pleads, and mnay were found guilty in Watergate, IranGate, and Scooter Libby in Valeria Plame Gate!
I smell more Obstruction of Justice, Mail Fraud, and Conflicts of Interests Charges with the Republicans.
How can Corbett in his Campaign Debates so far claim he will reform the Legislature when his own Republican Senators Friends were never investigated by him, but now will come under charges he could not find?
I mean CORBETT is either INCOMPETENT or was PART OF IT?
Jerry McDevitt, Attorney for Ms. Orie, has been removed, saying they have modest means, does this me Orie is going to acquire a lesser Attorney?
My a step down instead of a step up!
Republicans are about to implode, I suspect Senator Ward is on deck, but that is just speculation, bit so was Senator Orie Sisters!
When Police Officer are related charges that are hanging over them as investigations continue, they are suspended with and sometimes without pay until the investigation is over!
I think all of the Republican Judges just elected need to suspended without pay until this investigation is over!
Especially, Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin!
Same with any Republican Senators involved!
And Republican House Members!
Why are they any different from Law Enforcement Regulations?
It begs the question, what is worse: Prosecuting innocent people or ignoring potentially criminal behavior of your friends?
With the length of taxpayer $ spent, time wasted, other aspects of their duties ignored, all for a 15% conviction rate and a special pass for the FOCCers(Friends Of Corbett Campaign). I think one has to question Corbett's judgement before he is handed the reigns of power as governor.
I hope the Conservative in the Republican T, will now see, Corbett's chances to be elected Governor and staying as Governor will be weakening with every hour.
soon good people in the AG Office will have their minds clearer now, at last all too well will finally see where they all soon will be once more comes out.
It save yourself time and how to avoid arrest with honor!
They know once you strip away the myth of prosecutions from Corbett
the Public will see where all politicians and judges will soon be over Corbett's Conduct.
Now because Corbett was not fair or looking for true justice and fooled himself into thinking he matters more than the things he says, and that is the rub?
Soon, leaders in this Commonwealth will be telling Corbett listen we don't like what we see.
Your unfair investigations and prosecutors misconduct have set the Keystone State political world all on fire now.
We remember when this whole thing began how you claim you were defending Tax Dollar from waste, but after the Orie Charges every word you say after that day will be untwisted round the other way, and then your Grand Old Party Voter In The "T" will
hurt when they find out if you've lied.
Today, most of your followers are not blind, the "Tea Baggers" in the "T" will respond in unkind ways.
Judge Lewis will have some mighty fine thinking to do soon, it may be time to jump ship.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a story that will grow into something bigger in the future.
All of a sudden many more especially Republicans Politocos' Chief of staffs, Judges, Law Clerks, and wealthy contributors will be hearing from investigators....
Cut the protesting, forget the excuses. We want information, get up of the floor. We have the papers needed to arrest them. You knew of their political movements and we know the law.
Your help in this matter won't go unrewarded we have immunity to save your pension, they can't save you anymore and you might as well take it. We think that you should.
We've noted your honesty motives, your feelings for the truth.
It was beautiful, but now it's sour
Yes it's all gone sour, and Tom Corbett is to blame!
THE RECKONING HAS ARRIVED AND IS JUST GETTING WARMED UP... the act of counting or calculating with a retribution for one's actions is coming straight for all the ones that know they did wrong.
Harden yourself against subordinates.
Have no friend.
Trust no judge.
Do you mean to tell me they would turn the staffers against me? I have been their Mother! Ambition knows no mother?
Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance. When you say something, say what you know.
When you do not know something, say you do not know. That is knowledge.
If names are not right, words are misused. When words are misused, affairs go wrong.
When affairs go wrong, courtesy and music droop, law and justice fail. And when law and justice fail them, a people can move neither hand nor foot.
So honest citizens and staffers must be ready to put names in speech, to put words into deeds.
An honest citizen is nowise careless of words because a general of a large army may be defeated, but you cannot defeat the determined mind of a peasant, citizen, or voter.
Anonymous said...Maybe to save face, the AG will investigate Southwestern Republican candidates for Representative in the PA General Assembly - G.Deluca, Kime, Massafra, Yeager, Evankovich, Dunbar & Ferguson. Rumor is that they all signed the notarized affidavit as circulator on petitions that they did not actually circulate. Date & street location inconsistencies strongly suggest that someone else circulated the petition and the candidate signed as circulator in violation of the law. The AG should investigate them for these blatant, illegal violations and prosecute them or does he fear that other Republican party operatives and leaders (ie: Sen. Ward, Rep. Reed, Com. Irey) will get drawn in too? April 6, 2010 12:16 AM
ONLY A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR CAN DO THESE INVESTIGATIONS NOW, CORBETT'S AND HIS THE OAG ARE NO LONGER CAPABLE OF CONDUCTING TRUE FAIR AND BALANCE INVESTIGATIONS AND THESE INVESTIGATIONS MAY LEAD RIGHT BACK ON HIM.
CORBETT IS NOW RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR HE HAS NO TIME TO INVESTIGATE AND RUN FOR OFFICE, AND HE NEEDS TO RESIGN FROM THE OAG.
A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT IN NOW AND SORT OUT THIS EVER GROWING MESS, CORBETT HAS PROVEN HE CANNOT DO IT, BECAUSE HIS CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR IS PART OF THE PROBLEM.
WHERE IS BRAD BUMSTED NOW, THE DIXIE SCAIFE PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW LAP DOG, DID EVEN RUN ON A STORY ON REPUBLICAN SENATOR JANE ORIE PENDING ARREST?????
So will someone call Brad Bumsted as the Tribune-Review's state Capitol reporter and wake him up, to report on how the PPG scooped Brad on this scandal, he can be reached at 717-787-1405 or via e-mail, to inform on this late breaking news story, he forgot to write about today.
I CALLED BUT HE IS NOT IN, SO SOMEONE CALL HIM LATER, AND ASK?
Will Senator Orie be brought forth in Handcuffs before a Media Parade, with her onward Christian Voters behind her?
After all, Corbett says, HANDCUFFS are Proper Legal Procedure is it not?
Brad can you ask Tom Corbett that question ASAP and report back on what Corbett NOW says?
Let get moving Brad, or are some Republican Donations to Corbett given on State Time, has your own Boss in it to OR IS THAT JUST A RUMOR?
Just asking not saying it is so, but you need to know, IF YOU WANT TO DO A FULL COMPLETE STORY RIGHT BEFORE THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY?
It happen with Nixon when Dick Scaife supported Tricky Dick, then once Watergate happen, Scaife abandon Tricky Dick, and forgot who he was all of sudden?
Brad do you think the same thing will happen to Corbett by Scaife actions or will Scaife say, "If Tom Corbett Calls I Am Not In'?
This will be the orders of the day for some time I suspect!
I CANNOT WAIT FOR ALL THE GREAT ARTICLES FROM BRAD BUMSTED ON JANE AND JOAN MELVIN ORIES PERSONAL LIVES FROM STAFFERS, LAW CLERKS, AND TIPSTAFFS.
I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE HOW BRAD BUMSTED WILL ADVISE THE REPUBLICANS TO REFORM AND REPORT ON WHY REPUBLICAN CORBETT COULD NOT UNCOVER THE REPUBLICAN REPUBLICAN SENATORS, REPUBLICAN HOUSE MEMBERS, AND REPUBLICAN JUDGES COVER UPS FOR OVER 3 YEARS?
I AM SURE THE TRIBUNE REVIEW WILL LEAD THEY WAY AND CALL FOR CORBETT'S RESIGNATION SOONER NOT LATER, AFTER ALL BRAD BUMSTED'S ARTICLES ARE ABOUT WHY SUCH ELECTED OFFICIALS MUST NEVER BE ABOVE THE LAW.
I KNOW I READ THEM, WE ARE WAITING BRAD!
We need a name for this Republican Scandal, Lets see, it is going to bring in Republican Senators, House members, Former Governors and Presidents, Republican Judges, and all from the Orie Sisters misuse of State Resources mixed with Christian Churches Non-Profit IRS Status Exemptions that were working on Campaigns in violation of Federal Laws?
Ories' Sister's Political OrgiesGate?
Don't go in a Tizzy over the Orie Arrest and Investigation....read closely...."Justice Melvin has not been charged in the investigation, but sources connected to it said Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr.....""""might refer any involvement by her to the office of state Attorney General Tom Corbett.""""
By the time Corbett investigates Justice Joan Orie Melvin, the case will become too old to bring to Trial, and Republican Perzel will have a Pardon from Governor Corbett.
If the Citizens of Pennsylvania are looking for true, fair, and honest justice, they need a Special Prosecutor on these cases, the Conflicts Of Interest between all three Branches is too intertwined, and subjected to selective political persecutions and prosecutions.
The Judicial Branch cannot be trusted here either, since it involves their elections.
We need a Federal Special Prosecutor that will investigate the OAG Investigations of the House, Senate, and Judges, and the OAG within itself!
Funny, Zappala was able to hold a Grand Jury Hearing, Record it, collect evidence, and do surveillance all within 5 months, but Corbett with 800 OAG employees never could investigate the senate or judges in 3 years?
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10096/1048171-454.stm#ixzz0kJw3yPkS
How do I contact the writers of this blog?
ugartecasablanca@gmail.com
Somebody really needs to indict her hair!
As a Republican why would Corbett not look into this case instead of giving it to Zappala?
This in unexplainable and inexcusable, and I am not happy about the things I read here, but I have to agree, something needs investigated, and Corbett is clearly not the one to do it.
Once the charges are printed for the public, I fear much more will come out on the Orie's, far beyond what is within the Presentments.
There are people waiting in line to expose them, and Joan Melvin Orie will bring down many Judges, once she has alleged charges against herself over what Jane was doing for many.
Man, this is going to get way out of hand for a number of people, there going to need way mo0re new jails, and a convention hall within one of the jails, to hold the convention with so many lawmakers in them.
Jane Orie had to be playing with the Democrats because no Republican couiffure would create a bad 'do like hers.
Bill Green on the Pintek Radio Show said it would be unfair to have Jane Orie Perp Walk and that Corbett went back on his promise when he said he would not do it, then did it to Mike Veon and all Defendants except Foreman.
Now that is an understatement!
Full Grand Jury will; be called on Republican Judges Campaign Activity said PPG Rodney, will be in the Presentments on Jane Orie!
Also, after Jane Orie lawyer came out with all letters saying Jane denied any and all political activity, many witnesses came to the DA to provide evidence otherwise.
The Democrats are so lame under Todd Eachus Leadership, they did not even have a Candidate run in the Primary so they can take Jane in November.
Where is Veon and DeWeese judgment when you need it?
So much for McDevitt's Pre-Grand Jury Hearing Findingds spin, looks like it came back on Orie, and may be the real reason why he is not her Attorney anymore!
The big, big, and bigger information coming out on the Jane Orie Indictments is the evidence that can go back 10 years on Bush/Kerry, Bush/Gore, and Ridge Campaigns, since the precedent is not the Habay Case, but the Judge O'Kicki Case.
This means any judges elected with State Resources can be brought before the Grand Jury and indicted as well, when witnesses appear providing evidence that Judges broke the O'Kicki Standards and used Habay Standards on behalf of Legislators and Senators.
Many will have to step down, be suspended, and further investigations by the Judicial Conduct Board!
The very Board Justice Joan Orie Melvin attacked in her campaign Ads?
NEW CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSAL:
The Attorney general shall not be elected but appointed by the opposing party of Governor after an election for the Governor term.
The Attorney General can never run for any elected office after being Attorney General.
This will prevent political prosecutions for political ambitions, and at the same time, be a check and balance against the Governor's Administration.
Now that is true Reform and takes the politics out of the Attorney General office forevermore!
Just caught this "Twit" in Rep. Mike Vereb's Twitter feed:
"Never once was there a grand jury leak in bonusgate, just speculation. But not in this case, I wonder why ??"
Are you serious?? I count at least 16 as compiled in this CasablancaPA post:
http://casablancapa.blogspot.com/2009/04/to-come-to-aid-of-his-party.html
Including leak identical to the one that surfaced last night about Orie's impending charges. What kind of fantasy world is Rep. Vereb living in??
Anonymous said...Just caught this "Twit" in Rep. Mike Vereb's Twitter feed: "Never once was there a grand jury leak in bonusgate, just speculation. But not in this case, I wonder why ??"
Are you serious?? I count at least 16 as compiled in this CasablancaPA post:
http://casablancapa.blogspot.com/2009/04/to-come-to-aid-of-his-party.html Including leak identical to the one that surfaced last night about Orie's impending charges. What kind of fantasy world is Rep. Vereb living in?? April 6, 2010 4:46 PM
Leaks? The OAG run by Corbett along with Tribune-Review and Patriot News, never had any plumbers stop them.
The small leaks coming out are only drips here and there, when the entire Indictments come out on Thursday, you are going read about broken pipes and rushing water that make leaks fixing on the Three Stooges Level, just like the OAG.
What really happen, once Jane Orie came out defending herself via the Lawyers at KLGates law Firm, there was a line of people that alleged worked on the Campaigns dating back to late 1990’s and many had stories they told to many Reporters far more than the Investigators needed to present before a Grand Jury.
I do not know what the Orie Sisters did, but they sure upset a lot people, in both parties, and once they were up for an investigation, these people came out in a determined manner to expose them as Hypocrites, much as Corbett is exposed here!
The big leak so far is that the OAG Employee Brian Nutt and Mike Long will be retaining lawyers sooner as they will be called before new Grand Juries, most likely not run by Corbett due to a Conflict of Interest.
If I am a Republican Donor to Campaigns, Corbett may have some more trouble raising money more than he did in December.
Once again, I am calling for a huge Three Branch Investigative Committee, to hold hearings, and bring forth people that received bonuses for campaign work, and remove the Guilty Pleaders, and pardon the convictions, and return any monies and expenses and pay a civil fine, while passing new reforms and let the voters decide at the voting box.
Instead of wasting millions on selective prosecutions on now Senators and Judges and possible OAG Employees, that returns far less to the treasury.
But it is all for naught so long as the ambitions of one AG in Corbett, prefers to reward to select and ruin a few, when he very well knows it was many, and instead to become Governor instead of repair our Government.
I think the Orie Indictments will eventually cause an Independent Special Prosecutor of Corbett's Investigations and Non-Investigations. As well as Zappala's.
But Corbett is now in a pickle bottle he cannot remove either, it is and continue to be going sour for Corbett, by how he defined his investigations of making the legal into illegal, many of which rejected by two juries’ right now.
Now that the Republican will be touched, it will go very bad for them, because republicans kick out their own people touched by scandal.
In addition, the Judges mention will have to deal with the Appearance of Impropriety by their own code, and must be suspended and recluse to hear any Appeals on Corbett's Prosecutions.
A Citizens Committee will have to be formed to challenge and Lawmaker or Judge named in the Orie Indictment that need investigated.
These Judges cannot rule on justice of Commonwealth citizens if tainted by Criminal Allegations of their own doing.
Judges are not above the law, and the Appearance of Impropriety must be applied NOW on any of them named in the Grand Jury Hearings.
I ma glad D.A. Zappala was very professional and did not Handcuff Honorable Jane Orie and her sister, Jean employed by Jane.
Clearly, he understands his job and no matter how much Steve Zappala and his family will be attacked, they follow the law.
This cannot be said for Ag Tom Corbett, who grandstand by handcuffing Mike Veon and many Defendants, with a broken promise it would not be done.
God Bless Mike Veon and all that were handcuffed, and stood tall in the face of public ridicule.
They will prevail over the ambitions and evils of Tom corbett and his unprofessional staffers that condone criminality within the OAG!
Kurt Acker, a former staffer for Jane Orie was mentioned quite a few times in the indictment. I did a quick Google search on all those named in the indictment and found that Mr. Acker is the campaign manager for Mary Beth Buchanan via his twitter page.
Former prosecutor employs admitted law breaker?
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