Tuesday, May 11, 2010

WILL DEWEESE GET THE FINAL DOUBLE CROSS?


Perhaps now that Mike Veon's trial is over, everyone can stop pretending that anyone ever claimed "everyone did it," as a legal defense and take a good long look at why Tom Corbett chose the targets he chose.

If things had gone the way Corbett had planned, the original 12 Bonusgate indictments would have been the only Bonusgate indictments. No one who's paying attention believes the indictments of Steve Stetler, Bill DeWeese, and the John Perzel gang were anything but damage control (so far, extremely effective damage control).

If things had gone the way Corbett had planned, the only sitting member of the legislature indicted would have been a sophomore rank-and-filer who just happened to be the Democratic front-runner for a competitive state Senate seat. He wasn't even charged in the caucus-wide political activities at the center of Bonusgate, and he was acquitted of all charges.

Corbett spent a year and a half building a case that state legislative resources were systematically misused to elect Democrats to the House, and decided that not a single sitting elected official was responsible.

The sole person with the authority to spend caucus funds was not responsible.

The chairman of the caucus campaign committee was not responsible.

The operations chair of the campaign committee was not responsible.

The dozens of elected officials whose names appeared on documents presented as evidence of the scheme were not responsible.

Somehow, the only elected official who could be held responsible was no longer in office, could not cast a vote in the legislature, held no influence in state government and just happened to be the poster boy for an unpopular legislative pay raise.

How convenient for a future governor.

How utterly unbelievable. Corbett misjudged exactly how unbelievable, but only by a little.

Because Corbett had no clue how the legislature operates, it didn't occur to him that the case he'd spent a year and a half constructing was impossible without the imprimatur of one man: H. William DeWeese.

That DeWeese was criminally involved was so obvious to those who knew more about the legislature than Corbett (i.e., everyone), his impending arrest was simply assumed. E-mails and testimony demonstrating DeWeese's culpability weren't interpreted as evidence of a blunder on Corbett's part, but simply as harbingers of DeWeese's eventual indictment.

That indictment never came. Despite clear evidence of DeWeese's involvement in awarding bonuses for campaign work, directing state employees to conduct opposition research and petition challenges and using a state contractor for political work, DeWeese never was charged for any of it.

It's clear how he escaped indictment. DeWeese paid for his passage by dropping his legal challenges against Corbett's inquiry, and handing over a silver platter of hand-selected evidence against his former colleagues.

And Corbett had to see the advantage of having a sitting majority leader so deeply in his debt.

What's less clear is why that escape hasn't raised more eyebrows. Corbett gambled that charging DeWeese in a handful of lesser crimes would divert attention from DeWeese's free pass on Bonusgate. And it worked (so far).

But the red-herring charges against DeWeese represent an even dicier gamble for Corbett. For DeWeese to admit he was double-crossed would be to admit that he was culpable in the first place. Although he came dangerously close to that admission by taking the Fifth in the Veon trial, DeWeese still has a political image to uphold. But if he loses re-election, all bets could be off.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are forgetting the testimony of Manzo and Brubaker in the Veon trial. Each of them said, under oath, that DeWeese had nothing to do with this ill conceived bonus scheme.

Ugarte said...

Not sure what testimony you're talking about. Manzo said under oath that DeWeese knew and directed. Kat Manucci testified under oath that she heard Manzo ask DeWeese for the green light on awarding bonuses. Then, there are the emails with DeWeese acknowledging the thank yous for the bonsues. Finally, DeWeese took the 5th in the Veon trial. Nice try.

Anonymous said...

It should be noted that the email address that is continually cited is not the one DeWeese uses.

Signor Ferrari said...

And which e-mail address would that be?

Although the content of DeWeese's incriminating e-mails is frequently cited ("U R welcome!") the e-mail address itself has not been.

And although Corbett did note in the presentment charging Veon & Co. that DeWeese communicated his political instructions to a state-funded contractor using his campaign e-mail address (a crime for which DeWeese has not been charged), the address itself has not been cited.

So, what e-mail address are you talking about?

Anonymous said...

You fellows need to get out of that dark basement where DeWeese is keeping you and feeding you lies. Interesting that he gives you internet access to read and post to blogs, but he must block your access to news sites.

Anonymous said...

"It should be noted that the email address that is continually cited is not the one DeWeese uses."

That is a lie. Either you are making it up or DeWeese told you (Sunyak) that.

Here is Exhibit J from the Veon June 2009 filing: http://tiny.cc/je6pr

If this is anyone from Costopoulos' firm trying to help DeWeese out, be warned...DeWeese is a liar. He is lying to you about much of what he says and his connection to bonusgate.

Anonymous said...

What does it matter if he's lying about Bonusgate - he's not charged with it. How can it make any difference in court?

Anonymous said...

I think Casablanca is saying that part of DeWeese's defense will be that he had a deal on bonusgate. And, that deal extended to the political stuff Sidella and his district office did for him. He will bring in his lawyers (like goofy Walter Cohen) to describe how they discussed no charges for DeWeese in exchange for info on Veon. He'll probably force Bill Chadwick to do the same on the stand?

Anonymous said...

If having a deal with Corbett were to be part of DeWeese's DEFENSE, why would DeWeese's lawyers be trying to prove there was nothing for there to be a deal over?

Signor Ferrari said...

"It's hard for me to imagine anyone ever cooperating with a team of prosecutors and a grand jury at the level that we did over such a long period of time. I'm very disappointed." Bill DeWeese, Uniontown Herald-Standard, 12/16/09

In other words, "I shouldn't have been charged because I cooperated."

Anonymous said...

"If having a deal with Corbett were to be part of DeWeese's DEFENSE, why would DeWeese's lawyers be trying to prove there was nothing for there to be a deal over?"

That is a good question. But it can be explained. Right now, DeWeese has to make that fight...he has a primary. But, if he looses, the motivation for hiding the deal he had with Corbett is gone.

Anonymous said...

This is the link to the email address (second page has it);
http://www.scribd.com/doc/19075982/Exhibit-J-Attachment-4

It is actually from your post: "CRIMINALS" IN THEIR MIDST?

Not the email DeWeese uses. I think you're giving DeWeese more credit for tech savvy than is deserved.

Signor Ferrari said...

From the 28th Investigating Grand Jury Presentment:

"The review of the emails also revealed that, with only a few exceptions, virtually all campaign communication with Eric Buxton occurred by use of the taxpayer paid Caucus email system. (One of the few exceptions was minority leader H. William DeWeese who always communicated with Buxton through his campaign email account)."

We're not sure what "tech savy" would be required for DeWeese to use his own e-mail address, clearly Corbett had reason to believe that DeWeese was using his campaign address to communicate with Buxton.

Since it was illegal for DeWeese to direct Buxton to do campaign work, (no matter what address he used), and Corbett was convinced that DeWeese was doing exactly that through his campaign address, can you explain why Corbett did not charge him?

Anonymous said...

"Not the email DeWeese uses."

The bonus emails he sent were from his pahouse.net account. That is the email DeWeese uses.

Anonymous said...

I love how DeWeese's defense is, "I'm too stupid to know how to use email. It couldn't have been me."

Ha!

Anonymous said...

This is not really about what DeWeese did or did not do - it's about Corbett, and why he did what he did (or did not do)

Win or lose, DeWeese will dodder off into the sunset. Corbett as Governor is a scary prospect

Anonymous said...

Ugarte said...
Not sure what testimony you're talking about. Manzo said under oath that DeWeese knew and directed. May 12, 2010 10:03 AM....

You stand corrected again, again and again, as you repeat, revise, and outright lie, Manzo said, DeWeese "KNEW."

The correct term is and has always been, Manzo, "BELIEVED" DeWeese knew.

In the Grand Jury Presentments, Newspapers, and at the Veon Trial.

A belief is not proof!

At the same time, we know Manzo also testified Veon did not approve the bonuses for campaigning either.

Anonymous said...

Ugarte said...Kat Manucci testified under oath that she heard Manzo ask DeWeese for the green light on awarding bonuses. May 12, 2010 10:03 AM

Once again and again, Kat Manucci stated she heard Manzo tell DeWeese bonuses should be awarded for hard work, giving 100%, working long hours, and volunteering for campaigning....never solely for campaigning.

Veon Defense Lawyers proved the bonuses were for long time work, long hours, and devotion to their jobs and passed them out personally for long time service.

So, if Veon thought they were for long time service, why not DeWeese?

I mean the Veon Lawyers proved Manzo to be a liar and Manzo admitted he did many things without the HDCC leadership knowing the real reasons.

Still, Veon, Cott and Rosepink did not deserve or merit convictions based on the trial evidence and should win on Appeal a Dismissal or be Pardon or given a New Trial.

Anonymous said...

Ugarte said...Then, there are the emails with DeWeese acknowledging the thank yous for the bonsues.May 12, 2010 10:03 AM

Neither emails were explicit on what bonuses were paid for campaigning to DeWeese compared to many admitting they were for others.

But all of these emails were never authenticated either and it was Judicial Errors to admit them, and should be removed and quashed on Appeal.

Anonymous said...

Ugarte said...Finally, DeWeese took the 5th in the Veon trial. Nice try. May 12, 2010 10:03 AM

DeWeese has a right to take the fifth, it was his trial and his own counsel advised him just that and DeWeese did what was necessary to protect his rights.

Just like when Veon, Cott, Rosepink, Keefer refused to testify as their rights under law.

Finally, Veon's Lawyers wanted DeWeese to take the fifth, they knew it would help their defense and were counting on it.

The Jurors saw through much of the AG Case and Charges and admitted it was one sided filled with mud being thrown on the wall and having something to stick.

The Defense Lawyers made a huge error not read Frank Fina Case saying they could replace a Juror with an alternate without a Mistrial.

They admitted that too by the way on Roxbury News Video, and Keefers Lawyer was not part of any appeal, showing Keefer was protecting his own rights too.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...That is a lie. Either you are making it up or DeWeese told you (Sunyak) that.If this is anyone from Costopoulos' firm trying to help DeWeese out, be warned...DeWeese is a liar. He is lying to you about much of what he says and his connection to bonusgate.
May 12, 2010 11:20 AM

DeWeese fired the people that admitted they lied to HDCC Leadership, Corbett, and Under Oath before the Grand Jury and at the Ramaley and Veon Trial.

Veon's Defense Lawyers also had Manzo admit he lied to Veon and DeWeese!

The biggest problem is that Corbett took these liars and targeted only a few and has not gone after the many, and ignored exculpatory evidence of all accused, so he could put on a trail in the same of the election, and ignore his Republican Senators friends, colleagues, and contributors.

This is the big lie far bigger than anything else in all these cases and wasted tax dollars doing it for campaign purposes and Corbett did the same things on his campaigns!

I do not blame Veon or DeWeese; I blame Corbett for not doing what was proper and doing injustices to some very fine people like Veon, Rosepink and Cott!

Signor Ferrari said...

Wrong again. Most of the people who admitted to crimes under oath are still working for the caucus, and three of the people whom DeWeese fired never admitted to anything. Furthermore, hardly anyone had even spoken to the grand jury before DeWeese's firings, so no one had admitted to anything at that point.

Signor Ferrari said...

"The correct term is and has always been, Manzo, "BELIEVED" DeWeese knew."

"Manzo's attorney, Jim Eisenhower, said DeWeese 'had full knowledge of the bonuses...He (DeWeese) directed that certain bonuses be given.'" (Associated Press 10/8/8)

Anonymous said...

Signor Ferrari said..."The correct term is and has always been, Manzo, "BELIEVED" DeWeese knew."
"Manzo's attorney, Jim Eisenhower, said DeWeese 'had full knowledge of the bonuses...He (DeWeese) directed that certain bonuses be given.'" (Associated Press 10/8/8)
May 14, 2010 9:05 AM


Funny, Jim Eisenhower did not testify under oath did he, and why not, and why did not the Veon Defense Team call him as a witness?

Kind of lame claim don't you think without Eisenhower testimony?

Manzo did testify under oath and admitted he lied, and said over and over he "BELIEVED" DeWeese knew, all others said, they "THINK" DeWeese knew, including Foreman.

Beliefs, Thinks, and Defense Lawyers Press Clippings are not proof in a court of law to reach a beyond reasonable doubt verdict.

Now Team Casa has posted wrong information on this subject in their articles over and over, but it cannot change the actual truth.

At the same time, Bonuses investigated only against Veon and not the 3 other caucuses is a paramount wrong too, and Veon was made out to be a victim over all others.

I cannot support that kind of injustice either. Corbett own staffers got bonuses and it was for campaigning but so far no investigation and Team Casa has a right to be outrage.

It was wrong to do this to good people, and it should be overturned on Appeal where real justice can prevail.

If not, Corbett must come under investigations by a Special Prosecutor on his ability to investigate, indict, and cover up for his senatorial friends, contributors, and supporters, as seen in the Orie Case.

Anonymous said...

Signor Ferrari said...
Wrong again. Most of the people who admitted to crimes under oath are still working for the caucus, and three of the people whom DeWeese fired never admitted to anything. Furthermore, hardly anyone had even spoken to the grand jury before DeWeese's firings, so no one had admitted to anything at that point. May 14, 2010 8:51 AM


Manzo did admit before other people he did wrong, kept things from the leadership, and let them down.

There are witnesses to this fact and it has come out at Grand Jury, and Trials.

The Husband-Wives teams were a big mistake for the HDCC and their rise in promotions, salaries, and bonuses were the problem, and caused them to plead to guilt to a shoddy investigation that made many feel guilty on something that was not illegal.

The day the other caucuses were not investigated together is the day this became a political witch hunt only on good people that may have done some sloppy practices but never intended to commit crimes.

The day Corbett did the same things and avoided his senator’s colleagues from a full investigation and Corbett not being answerable to anyone to date is also a bigger crime than anything he alleged against the HDCC.

Team Casa has right to be upset and needs justice not made out to be victims of what everyone else was doing, and there was always a better way to resolve these practices without wasting tax dollars just to elect a new governor bent on prosecutions thyat he selects on his own time not by the following any evidence.

Anonymous said...

Signor Ferrari said...
Wrong again. Most of the people who admitted to crimes under oath are still working for the caucus, and three of the people whom DeWeese fired never admitted to anything. Furthermore, hardly anyone had even spoken to the grand jury before DeWeese's firings, so no one had admitted to anything at that point. May 14, 2010 8:51 AM


I agree with you on that point, the Immunity Witnesses did lie, and were given the ability to keep their jobs, pensions, and admitted they did campaign work on their own, yet the HDCC has not terminated them, and lets Corbett OAG use them against all defendants, and that is not right either.

They are OAG Witnesses being paid by HDC funding, and admitted they broke work rules, and should be fired too.

The majority of these people lied about those that hired them and work for them, to save their own lives, and that is what is also wrong about this investigation.

But you cannot hold just DeWeese responsible for this entire outcome, when you know how many have been misused against all of you. That is wrong too!

Anonymous said...

Veon will win on Appeal because he went to bat for the Judges.

Eachus is a shoe in for re-election.

DeWeese is cruising to re-election.

McCall is looking forward to retirement.

Anonymous said...

you need to get a life.