Most of the allegations of illegal campaign activity contained in the grand jury presentment against Sen. Jane Orie are pretty banal. It does take a hilarious turn when Orie starts to think she might get caught and tries to gaslight her staffers.
But for the most part what went on in Orie's office went on in most legislative offices. The difference is that it all stopped in January of 2007, after Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Corbett announced he was investigating electioneering in all four caucuses.
But at least one Senate Republican kept on keepin' on, almost as though she knew the Corbett campaign would look the other way.
To us, the most interesting portion of the Orie presentment is what happened after intern Jennifer Knapp Rioja tried to report her suspicions to the Corbett campaign:
"Rioja was told by the person with whom she spoke at the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General that her complaint should be directed instead to the Office of the District Attorney of Allegheny County."
Here's Corbett in the Patriot-News in February of 2008, begging the public to do exactly what Rioja tried to do: "People have to come forward. We need evidence. If people have evidence, pick up the phone and call. Come and see my agents."
And here's Corbett on PCN in January 2009: "As we obtain additional information, we always consider other charges against other individuals. And, that being the case, I would suggest to you, Larry, if you do have that information you forward it to the office of attorney general ... I can get very tired when I hear these people complain about that we haven’t charged other individuals if they have information and they haven’t passed it along. So, I’m going to urge you, Larry, to pass that information along.”
It's obvious that the Corbett campaign simply has not been conducting any sort of investigation of Senate Republicans for the last 3 1/2 years. News that Senate Republicans had been subpoenaed for records was leaked in February of 2008. According to the Orie presentment, Orie's campaign material resided on caucus servers until November 2009. If the Corbett campaign were looking, there's no way they wouldn't have found it. Ergo, they weren't looking.
According to the Orie presentment, staff and former staff clamored to reveal what they knew about illegal campaign activity in Orie's office after word leaked out about the investigation. If the Corbett campaign had interviewed a single one of these staffers, there's no way they wouldn't have heard what they eventually told the Allegheny County grand jury. Ergo, they never interviewed the staffers.
It's disturbing that the Corbett campaign has been lying about investigating the Senate Republicans. Really, really disturbing. But what's even more disturbing is that Orie clearly knew that Corbett wasn't investigating the caucus, or she never would have been so brazen.
We at CasablancaPA often chide the Capitol press corps for their laziness and gullibility. But, if they let Corbett slide on this one, they are guilty of nothing less than participating in conspiracy to obstruct the truth.
18 comments:
Do you think the AG gets it yet? Will he ever go after any Republicans? Maybe he'll finally take a good hard look at Sen. Ward and her boy toy Rob Ritson and the political activity that they run out of her senate office.
Sen. Ward is behind the Republican candidates in the Southwest for the House and their illegal activity too. It isn't just office holders conducting illegal activity - it's the want-a-bees too.
Will the OAG please do the right thing!
This one's for you Jimmy - keep working and the good never die young.
Wasn't Mike Long involved in Sen. Ward's campaign in 2008? And isn't Mike Long now involved in several SW races? "Follow the evidence and you will prevail!"
Jane Orie ain,t ready for her close up, Mr> deMille....
Dude,that's a great photo. Is that from the AP? You can see and feel the contempt she has for the process that is closing the noose around her neck as her face morphs into this part bulldog, part devil thing. It's wonderful to behold.
Why we need a Special Prosecutor to look at all Senators and the OAG failure to do it for over 3 years.
Corbett is not just a hypocrite but also now a proven selective prosecutor, and every Senator has to be shaking in their boots now.
Corbett is giving them time to purge files, computer discs and lawyer up staffers until the statue of limitations run out.
SPECIAL PROSECUTOR NOW!
D.A. Zappala should not wait 3 years to Prosecute Orie, they should move as appropriate in anyother case, unlike Corbett timing his investigations and trial cases.
Call the Orie bluff and just keep doing what you do best, investigate fairly, quickly, and go to trial.
Compare Zappala Presentments to Corbett's Presentments.
Corbett's Presentments many many accusations using the words always and never, and were based on shaky laws and testimony.
We know this now that most of Corbett's Charges were rejected at Two Trials and even Jurors made fun of them.
Now look at Zappala's Presentments, only a few Charges, that can be backed up and authenticated by 15 staff testimony without many immunities given, backed up with timely verified emails, phone records, and letters that can be seen by a jury.
Zappala had no charges unlike Corbett that were meant to cause Public Outcries later to be proven false in a Court of Law.
Zappala recorded his Grand Jury Testimony unlike Corbett, proving Zappala Prosecutors and Agents were professional at all times, unlike Corbett's Prosecutors that need to be Disciplined by the PADB!
Corbett looks like a kid compared to Zappala as far as being an Attorney to protect the people.
Zappala will welcome any outside investigation of his Grand Jury and Staff Behavior, Corbett will not, and his Staffers once put under oath with take the fifth, except for the ones that will blow the whistle on Corbett.
In our opinion, Corbett is going to go jail eventually; Zappala is going wherever he wants to go with his eye on the truth and justice, not blind ambition!
Mike Veon, Anna-Maria Rosepink and Brett Cott will be vindicated too on Appeal, but it is going to take much time, and I just hope they can stay strong, until the full truth comes out, this happen in other states, and those Attorney Generals that became Governor went to jail eventually.
Corbett will be following them with that sad legacy.
Anonymous said...
Dude,that's a great photo. Is that from the AP? You can see and feel the contempt she has for the process that is closing the noose around her neck as her face morphs into this part bulldog, part devil thing. It's wonderful to behold.
April 8, 2010 3:22 AM
Looks like a Junkyard dog barking a warning she cannot back up and may be in heat.
They must all do their hair together, except for Joan Orie Melvin, it looks like she wears a wig!
In any event, I look forward to Bard Bumsted reports on their personal lives and practices in the Tribune-Review.
Brad Bumsted Spin Control To Exocerate The Ories Before They Go To Trial:
Ories Achieve Much In Public Arena
By Brad Bumsted and Jeremy Boren
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, April 8, 2010
LINK:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_675375.html
TELL US BRAD, DID YOU EVER DO A STORY ON TRIBUNE-REVIEW OWNER DICKIE SCAIFE ALLEGED BUYING PROSTITUTES OR WAS THAT OUT OF BOUNDS FOR YOU?
SCAIFE'S EX-WIFE HAS MUCH TO SYA ALONG WITH SOME OTHERS I AM TOLD!
NOW LETS LOOK AT JANE ORIE SAINTHOOD FROM BRAD BUMsted:
"Her reputation has been as a no-nonsense senator," said Rep. Bill Kortz, D-Dravosburg. "She seemed to take charge to get things done."
Orie's has a well-earned reputation for toughness.
It was never more evident than after Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr.'s office charged her and her sister Janine with performing political work on state time on behalf of their sister, Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin.
The senator, wincing and jabbing a finger in the air, vowed to fight the allegations "tooth and nail."
"My impression of Senator Orie is she's always highly regarded and highly respected for her toughness and principled stands on issues," said Charlie Gerow, a Republican political consultant.
"The flip side of it is, there are a lot of folks who don't view her as a warm and fuzzy figure in the Senate."
Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, said Orie is "a tireless worker (who) works hard to understand issues."
Orie teamed last year with state Rep. Mike Vereb, R--Montgomery County, to criticize international travel and extravagant spending by members of the Gaming Control Board in 2008, despite a ban on out-of-state travel imposed by Gov. Ed Rendell. Members attended conferences in Rome and Las Vegas on the state's dime.
"She had great tenacity toward getting to the root cause of the perceived corruption," said Vereb, a former police officer. "We've seen so many issues with the gaming board. ... A lot of people would have walked away from that, but she has been a champion of that issue with me."
State Sen. John Pippy, R-Moon, said Orie becomes passionate about supporting women's rights, autism research, pro-life organizations and veterans.
Her popular "Hearts of Steel" campaign sold more than 100,000 bracelets and raised $1.1 million to build a permanent Flight 93 memorial in Shanksville, in honor of those who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Her bills signed into law include mandatory autism insurance; expansion of Pennsylvania's newborn screening program; increased training and education programs for domestic violence; "Jessica's Law," which imposes mandatory-minimum sentences of 25 years on child molesters with victims ages 12 or younger; and improvements to "Megan's Law," which requires sex offenders to register with authorities.
"In our experience, we've seen Senator Orie as a consistent advocate for the sanctity and value of every human life," said Michael Geer, president of the Pennsylvania Family Institute.
"Jane's whole life (is) public service. My sisters want to reform our system and fight corruption," Jack Orie said after the arraignment.
LETS REMEMBER THESE QUOTES OF WISDOM:
Whatever You Condemn, You Have Done Yourself."
~Georg Groddeck, The Book of the It, 1950
"Hypocrisy Is Prejudice With a Halo”
~Ambrose Bierce
“Hypocrisy And Distortion Are Passing Currents Under The Name Of Religion”
~Mahatma Gandhi quotes
We Are Waiting for Brad Bumsted real article on Jane Orie's life and wait for the Joan Orie melvin Court Staffers Testimony on her behavior!
If it was fair on CORBETT's Target is fair for Republicans and Scaife's Personal Life!
You need one more Hypocrisy Quote for Tom Corbett....
“The True Hypocrite Is The One Who Ceases To Perceive His Deception, The One Who Lies With Sincerity”
Andre Gide
I expect her name to be cleared," Roddey said. "What I'm hearing is that if she's done anything, it was inadvertent and nothing that she did would rise to the level of justifying an indictment."
HMMMNNNNNN....lets remember "Allegheny County Republican Chair Jim Roddey, a major Corbett for Governor supporter, was quoted in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette stating that prosecutors seeking political office should "step down" when they announce their candidacy to avoid "ethical qualms."
Jim Roddey was one of those GOP leaders who wrote to former U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan urging him to clear the gubernatorial field for Corbett, so something tells us he wasn’t thinking about Corbett when he said that.
Corbett, who is an announced candidate and sitting state attorney general, has
refused to step down from his position, despite raising money and political support for months while simultaneously investigating political corruption in both parties.
Roddey's comments came in reference to a sitting U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan prosecutor rumored to be exploring a run for Congress in western Pennsylvania.
Last month, the Patriot News, which first discovered the illegal bonuses that led to Corbett's investigation, raised further concerns about Corbett's political ambitions while trying to run a full-time investigation. The editorial board called on Corbett to make a decision by October, stating that "too much is at stake for taxpayers and good governance to see this critical investigation be called into question by election politics."
And while other editorial boards around the state have called on Corbett to drop his bid for Governor, the Chambersburg Public Opinion wrote that "it doesn't bode well for the
state's highest office when a leading candidate seems to mix the pursuit of justice with his own ambitions."
Former US Attorney David Marston agreed in an editorial he penned back in April, Marston said Corbett "does us
all a disservice" by trying to campaign and prosecute at the same time, and that he needs to choose one over the other. He added that it raises too many questions: "if you were a state legislator under prosecutor Corbett's microscope, would it not seem prudent to support Corbett for governor?"
"Is he advancing the public interest in honest government, or his personal interest in becoming governor?" "Worse, the trials of cases brought in Bonusgate could very well take place during the heat of the gubernatorial race, presenting defense attorneys with a potent argument that it really is all about politics."
HEY BRAD BUMSTED WHY NO ARTIOCLE ON WHISTLE BLOWERS LAWSUIT ON TOM CORBETT NOT COLLECTING OVER $500 MILLION OF TAX DOLLARS.....
29 MARCH 2010 NEVER MADE BRAD BUMSTED RADAR EVEN AS HE REPORTS FROM HARRISBURG????
Despite continued claims by the attorney general’s office that accusations, court motions and lawsuits against Corbett are baseless or “bogus,” it remains to be seen whether he can demonstrate to voters that he didn’t abuse his prosecutorial power in the semblance of cleaning up public corruption.
Additionally, a federal lawsuit filed against Corbett in 2008 alleges that thousands, perhaps millions, of public dollars were “illegally paid out to vendors.”
On March 11, Corbett was deposed in his office for six hours for a lawsuit filed against him and others in the office of the attorney general and Department of Revenue.
The whistleblower case alleges that Thomas D. Kimmett, a former attorney with the AG’s office, and his assistant, Sherry E. Bellaman, were terminated because of Kimmett’s call for an independent investigation into the collection practices within the Attorney General’s Financial Enforcement Section.
The case alleges “pervasive wrongdoing” in the collection of accounts receivable amounting to upwards of $300 million to $500 million.
It gives details of alleged fraudulent payouts to no-bid vendors and claims there was a “cover-up by Mr. Corbett and the other defendants.”
Attorney general spokesman Kevin Harley said he could not comment on ongoing litigation but called the case without merit.
The discovery process in the case is set to end April 12, with a pre-trial conference July 2.
Unless the case is dismissed, it will go to trial in August and could prove “very embarrassing” to Corbett, said Charles Kimmett, a D.C.-based lawyer representing his uncle Thomas Kimmett.
Beginning in April 2008, when Corbett was running for re-election, Kimmett — who had already expressed concern internally about the collections practice inside the financial enforcement section — went “outside the chain of command” at the attorney general’s office, Charles Kimmett said.
“He had spoken to the U.S. attorney’s office because he was concerned that they were going to pin what was going on on him when the Department of Revenue had backed down from doing anything that would embarrass the AG’s office,” Charles Kimmett said.
MY OH MY, HERE THE SENATE REPUBLICANS CLAIM THEY ARE $500 MILLION SHORT AND STATE EMPLOYEES MAY HAVE TO BE LAID OFF UNDER THE NEW BUDGET!
GOVERNOR RENDELL SAYS, PENNSYLVANIA NEEDS $450 MILLION TO REPAIR ROADS AND BRIDGES.
ALL ALONG CORBETT LET COLLECTION AGENCIES HOLD ONTO $500 MILLION OR MORE FOR YEARS LET THESE RELATED BANKERS USE IT TO COLLECT INTEREST NEVER PAID TO THE STATE.
NOW WHY IS THIS TIMELY STORY NEVER WRITTEN IN THE POST-GAZETTE OR TRIBUNE-REVIEW?
An interesting connection was found in the Orie presentment. Kurt Acker is mentioned as a staffer aware of the illegal activities that were going on:
"During her testimony, Ms. Rioja quoted staff member Kurt Acker as once saying, "if the Attorney General's Office knew what was occurring in [Sen.] Orie's office, that 'they all would be in handcuffs.'"
At first I wanted to see what staffers were connected to Tom Corbett, but he is connected to another corrupt political prosecutor. Kurt Acker is the campaign manager for Mary Beth Buchanan. http://twitter.com/KurtAcker
Mary Beth Buchanan touts her job as a federal prosecutor going after politicians like Jane Orie, but she looks the other way when hiring these corrupt staffers for her own staff.
Anonymous said...I expect her name to be cleared," Roddey said. "What I'm hearing is that if she's done anything, it was inadvertent and nothing that she did would rise to the level of justifying an indictment."....
IMAO.......I guess when Jane Orie took Campaign Materials in her office and hid them under her dress saying she fears she is under surveillance and then took them out of her office....was inadvertent?????
Now that is INTENTIONAL COVER UP ACTIONS to any Reasonable Person!
I GUESS JIM RODDEY HAS BECOME A HYPOCRITE SPIN MASTER NOW FOR THE REPUBLICANS, I GUESS, JIM RODDEY NOW BELIEVES THAT THAT WRONGS ARE NOT WRONGS IF IT'S DONE BY HIS NICE PEOPLE LIKE HIMSELF AND HIS FRIENDS......"He does not believe who does not live according to his belief."
~Thomas Fuller
Corbett announces he will run for governor in 2010:
Promising "leadership that says no to corruption," Attorney General Tom Corbett declared his candidacy for governor last night before several hundred supporters at the Senator John Heinz History Center.
I know when the next round of cases comes, people will understand what we've been doing," he said. Asked if his answer implied forthcoming indictments of Republicans, he added, "That's all I'm going to say."
THE HYPOCRISY OF JIM RODDEY TOUCHED BY TOM CORBETT:
Mr. Roddey has taken Wexford Health Sources Inc., a Green Tree-based provider of health care services to correctional facilities in 13 states, which he heads a president, from $20 million in sales three years ago to $70 million today.
So what has been the key to Jim Roddey success?
"The formula almost always is good people," Mr. Roddey said. "Good people can make a bad plan work."
WOW, DO ES THAT INCLUDE JANE ORIE NOW, JIMMY?
HOW MUCH WERE BUSINESSES HELPED BY HER?
WHAT ABOUT PERZEL, PREATE, ASHER, AND CORBETT?
JIMMY, DO BAD PEOPLE MAKE A BAD PLAN WORK TOO?
HEY, JIMMY, HOW MUCH DID THE COLLECTION AGENCIES CONTRIBUTE TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TO BE ALLOWED TO KEEP TAXPAYERS DOLLARS BY CORBETT'S OAG?
DO YOU WANT US TO PROVIDE THE LISTS SO NEWSPAPERS CAN VERIFY IT FOR A STORY ON HOW A BAD PLAN CAN BE MADE INTO A SUCCESS BY BAD REPUBLICANS?
HOW MUCH HAS BRIAN NUTT AND MIKE LONG, HELPED YOUR BUSINESSES IN PAST, JIMMY?
JIM RODDEY WOULD BE A GREAT WITNESS TO CALL BEFORE ANY NEW GRAND JURY, DON'T YOU THINK?
After all, he was Republican Chairman when all these Republican Judges were elected, and he did not know that it happen on State time????
Is Jim Roddey one of those Incompetents for not knowing or part of the plan to use State Time Resources to elect Republicans while laughing at Democrats being prosecuted by his good friend Tom Corbett?
Jim Roddey is not laughing anymore, and when it comes for a New Grand Jury on investigating Joan Orie Melvin, based on how close he worked with her, as reported in the papers for his support, he must be called before the Grand Jury too!
"The Commonwealth Political Campaign of Armageddon"
It will be a long battle and many victims and it will continue long into 2011 and beyond...Corbett and all his minions that began for political power will never escape it.
In time, both Political Parties will come to their senses and take out Corbett and they have the goods on his action too!
Every Judge was ever elected was helped to election on State Time by Legislators, Senators, and yes Tom Corbett too.
This is why there should have been a Bi-Partisan Hearing of Investigation on Government Workers Working on State Time.
Some thought it was their jobs, other never intended to break the law, and no reforms can happen to hear from all offices, not just few selected by Corbett ignoring his own complicity for political gain.
Trust me if you think you are a Republican and it will not splash on you, or a frighten Democrats now cowered into silence for fear of being targets, you are mistaken.
It is time to stand up, reveal all to the Commonwealth People of Pennsylvania and let the voters decide based on the honesty and courage of each Elected Official and Staffers admitting they made mistakes.
It is time to correct Corbett's power play end it before it lasts so long, all will be caught, or blackmailed by staffers, contributors, or friends.
Trust me it is the only way to restore reforms in government and repayment to the taxpayers.
HOW TO FIGHT REPUBLICAN HATE SPEECH AGAINST ANY RACE:
How to Fight Stereotyping
(THE THREE R's)
STEP 1: REVIEW
If you see an offensive ad, film, sitcom, etc., jot down a complete, objective statement of facts: e.g., contents, date and time, where it was shown or broadcast.
Find out who is the person responsible. If an ad, the head of the company. If a TV show, the head of the network. If a movie, the head of the studio. Get his or her title, address, and telephone number.
STEP 2: RESPOND
WRITE a short, simple letter stating your objections to what you saw or heard to the person in charge. Phone calls or emails should be used only as follow-up methods. And ALWAYS photocopy your letters, sending a copy of each to the following:
The Public Relations Department of the studio, radio station, etc.
Letters to the Editor of your local largest daily and/or weekly newspaper.
The Anti-Defamation representative in your local area (usually your largest local Italian American club or organization.)
The NIAF Media Institute (1860,19th St., NW Washington, DC 20009.)
Your own file, for future reference.
If or when you do receive a response, send copies to your local Anti-Defamation group and the NIAF Media Institute. They can then advise you on how to evaluate a proper response, either from you or from them.
STEP 3: READ
Communicate with other Italian American activists via email or faxes to support other media offences throughout the country.
Read as much as you can about Italian/Italian American culture. You can use these facts in your anti-defamation efforts. Send for the NIAF's free study, Italian Americans in U.S. History and Culture, a large (9X12) stamped ($1.65) self-addressed envelope to: NIAF FACT SHEETS, 1860 19th St., NW Washington, DC 20009).
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, nonpartisan educational foundation that promotes Italian
American culture and heritage. NIAF serves as a resource on the Italian American community and has educational and youth programs including scholarships, grants, heritage travel, and mentoring.
NIAF is also the voice for Italian Americans in Washington, DC and works closely with the Italian American Congressional Delegation and the White House.
NIAF’s mission includes advancing US – Italy business, political, and cultural relations and has a business council that promotes networking with corporate leaders.
http://www.niaf.org/about/niaf_mission_and_headquarters.asp
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