Taken together, the message of the grand jury that issued a campaign document on legislative reform for Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Corbett, and of the jurors who acquitted Team Veon of most of the charges against them, is this:
Corbett could have indicted almost anyone in the legislature, and chose to indict someone who "was such a small part of the issue that he probably should not even have been in that courtroom."
As usual, the eternally unanswered question is: why?
Reporters who covered the grand jury report on reform - an improper use of the grand jury, by the way - delighted in relating Judge Barry Fuedale's observation that grand jurors were "mad as hell" to hear from numerous witnesses that "no one's guilty because everybody does it."
These same reporters fail to point out that even though "everybody does it," Corbett's original Bonusgate indictments included only a single sitting legislator, who wasn't even a member of leadership.
“It struck me that the grand jury was sending a message to the attorney general that ‘We’re not really happy because everyone does this and why are you picking these people?’” ACLU legal director Vic Walczak told the Patriot-News.
Why, indeed?
Because of the typically shallow media coverage of all things Bonusgate, the general public knows only that "two jurors agree" that the first sentence handed down to a Bonusgate defendant was "extremely harsh."
But the letters that accompanied the defendant's motion to have his sentence reduced tell a different tale. Both letters indicated that the jury asked Judge Richard A. Lewis "for leniency to those we convicted." Why?
"...we stressed how much we felt that the defendants were a minimal part of the issue and that those who accepted pleas and immunity were more to blame," the juror wrote.
So, not only did Corbett indict someone who "probably should not have been in the courtroom," he struck deals with those who "were more to blame" in order to secure their testimony against him.
These are the conclusions of jurors who were spoon-fed nothing but specially-formulated Corbett Chow for weeks on end.
Again, the question is why? Attorney Bryan Walk said during a sentencing hearing for his client Brett Cott that he tried to talk to the Attorney General's Office about a deal, but the prosecutors refused. They offered deals to those who were "more to blame" in order to convict "a minimal part of the issue."
As we have allowed before, perhaps we are witnessing a sophisticated legal strategy that is beyond our feeble comprehension. Or perhaps Tom Corbett has led the most spectacularly inept prosecution in legal history. During the trial, Harrisburg lawyers repeatedly dropped by the Bonusgate courtroom to see if the rumors they were hearing about the case were true.
Who knows what would have happened if Corbett had offered Cott a deal? Perhaps he would have scored better than a 16% conviction rate. Perhaps not. But we'll never know, and we'll probably never know why.
29 comments:
"Tom Corbett has led the most spectacularly inept prosecution in legal history."
Team Casa Nailed It Again!
This will not stand and will follow Corbett into the Governor Mansion and bring down many Republicans around him, especially his Staffers at the OAG.
The smart ones know it but most think they are untochable, they will know better once an investigation comes upon Corbett's conduct with campaign staff.
Bank on it!
After reading this blog, Corbett worked for Waste Management, I have concluded that is very appropriate, Corbett is now toxic and already has many problems beseting him.
This can no longer be covered up.
Three Points That Brings Upon the Pride Before The Fall for Any Law Enforcement Or Political Leaders!
1. If your own Grand Jurors are upset that they were used, when an Independent, Ethical, or Criminal Abuse Investigation begins, they will be the first to report on what they did not know, and if they did, would have reported it. Nothing is worse than using people seeking justice to be used for injustice are, they will go to any investigation on Corbett and his OAG and report what they know voluntarily and speak out publicly.
2. When the ACLU and Law School Advocacy Groups For Justice starts to look at what they see is clear and convincing evidence about misusing and abusing the Grand Jury System, they are relentless against Government Authority misused and uncover things normally that remain quiet. Once they report it, Federal and State Investigations begin and that is why so many Governors that were Prosecutors have been put in jail.
3. Once the Public learns how much all Immunity Witnesses have remain on the payroll collecting pensions and were actually responsible for the crimes for over 5 years, Corbett's Speech that it did not cost the Taxpayers is going to look like egg on his face.
I pity the Attorneys that wrote the grand Jury Presentments, they are going the real victims and scapegoats when this is all over.
Elected Officials resign Appointed Officials go to jail, that was the old maxim, after Corbett is caught there will be a new maxim, Elected Officials’ that misuse justice go to jail for a longer time
.
When the Jurors that found Brett Cott of 3 of 42 charges are upset, enough to write how they were misled, Judge Lewis himself is real trouble as well.
There must be a Judicial Conduct Board Hearing on Judge Lewis and the Disciplinary Hearing on the Prosecutors.
There are too many questions and not enough good answers for this case being just a mistaken prosecution.
Bank on this buddy!
Why would you say it will follow him all the way to the Governor 's Mansion? When if you would do your job, he would never get near the front door... Now get off your lazy duff, get out and circulate and the people will come to your aid and RECALL CORBETT NOW...
Stop being Arm Chair Activists. If you are going to be laZY AND SIT ON YOUR LAURELS AT LEAST BE LIKE LIMBAUGH AND GET PAID FOR YOUR HOT AIR.
iT WAS AMAZING THAT YOU COULD KEEP PEOPLE OFF THE BALLOT, NOW USE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES TO PUT A QUESTION ON THE BALLOT.
dON'T MISS THE BOAT...YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TURN CORBETT OUT OF OFFICE AS ATTORNEY GENERAL AND KEEP HIM OUT OF THE GOVERNOR'S CHAIR ALL ON NOVEMBER 2ND,,,DON;
'T BLOW IT, OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THIS DO NOT COME EVERY DAY.
all talk and no action makes Tom a happy boy.
Sounds like this fellow Corbett is giving Repubs and politicians a bad name. How come the lamestream media isn't exposing this? Is somebody getting their palms greased?
casablanca sucks.
bunch of wimps....do you actually expect me to feel bad for veon and deweese? if you are driving down the turn pike following a guy going 100 mph...when the cop pulls you over, do you really expect him to cut you a break? the voters could care less about your wimpy crying. they think corbett is awesome!
Anonymous said...Sounds like this fellow Corbett is giving Repubs and politicians a bad name. How come the lamestream media isn't exposing this? Is somebody getting their palms greased? June 7, 2010 7:08 AM
It is my belief the Newspapers Editors in their desire to hold a Constitutional Convention is allowing Corbett to get away with injustice, in hopes he will make changes.
The problem with that is the Ends Justify the Means, that is Plato Philosophy that has led to Communism and Fascism that permitted political persecutions for a better Russia, Italy, and Germany and it took a war to stop them.
The Media is in a very weaken state, the political parties leadership are in fear they could be targeted by Corbett henchmen, and Free Press and Investigative reporting have come under money problems.
Therefore, it will take others to stand up to Corbett as revelations start to appear, and follow him into the Governor mansion.
Corbett will blame it on some Runaway Prosecutor and say he did not know, but his Campaign staff did much of this over the objections of some of his Prosecutors.
It will take an under oath investigation by a fair Special Prosecutor or US Attorney to cause this to happen, or more revelations.
Recall should be a plan but everybody is afraid of Corbett for now.
The Editors of Newspapers are not to be relied upon; they have run their own operations into the ground let alone investigate anyone these days.
The Grand Jurors and the Veon Trial Jurors should be ashamed of themselves, they knew these people were not fully responsible but found them Guilty anyway.
Unlike the Ramaley Jurors, they lack the strength and courage to do the right thing.
When the Jurors admitted they knew Corbett's Prosecutors threw Mud everywhere and some must be right, they really did a disservice to Justice.
No letter can correct their wrong thinking, lack of fortitude, there is a person in Jail right now for 5 Years, and one has to wonder if the Jurors could do it all over again, when they vote, Guilty on Charges brought many not even illegal as proven at trial.
I mean what if it was one of their children, fathers, or husbands, or relatives now suffering as Brett Cott.
Shame on them and instead of writing letters the Trial Jurors should call for an investigation and the Grand Jurors too.
This is what honest people do, they correct their wrongs, and point out who misled them, such as the Prosecutors and the Judge and Corbett's Boys from Brazil!
It is called doing the right thing and they need to free Brett Cott!
Anonymous said...bunch of wimps....do you actually expect me to feel bad for veon and deweese? if you are driving down the turn pike following a guy going 100 mph...when the cop pulls you over, do you really expect him to cut you a break? the voters could care less about your wimpy crying. they think corbett is awesome! June 7, 2010 2:56 PM
Sorry, but when Corbett's Brian Nutt, Kevin Harley, and Mike Long Campaign Staff is doing the same thing next to you, and they go only after you, would you feel the same way?
If the Jurors now say others that turned you in and going 150 miles and are rewarded by being paid to testify against you, and were more responsible but given a Free Get Out of Jail Card, would you feel that was right??
When you find out the Corbett, was leading the way at 200 miles and his Republican Senators Friends never investigated for 4 years, would you still feel that way???
Sorry, the Jurors that were close to their case now admit they were wrong, and all we are saying to you, is Corbett needs to be looked at too, since he Boys from Brazil were running the Radar and selecting anyone they wanted.
When a Judge after knowing only 3 charges were actually proven from 42 throws you in jail more than Drug Dealers, are you alright with this kind of justice.
Go and check out how many Attorney Generals that ebcame Governor were later arrested for injustices to put them in higher office.
Shame on you!
Anonymous said...casablanca sucks.
June 7, 2010 2:57 PM
If CasablancaPA sucks why did Corbett spend Taxpayers money to find out whom you are and violated the Rules of the Grand Jury???
Why did Jurors write to Judge Lewis and tell him, he gave the wrong sentence??????
Why has no one added up the entire tax dollars on the salaries, pension and benefits for over 4 years on people Corbett let go and be paid to testify only against a few people while he let everyone else go, but stuck the taxpayers.
Someone should add that number and confront Corbett with it on the Campaign Trail and use it for Corbett's Trial.
Get the picture gang. How many times to i have to repeat..time is running out..PETITION TO RECALL TOM CORBETT ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT...Don't let him sit in the big red chair, with his penchant for power who knows who he'll be trying to outfit in orange? Some response, dialogue, Dah????
Anonymous said...
Get the picture gang. How many times to i have to repeat..time is running out..PETITION TO RECALL TOM CORBETT ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT...Don't let him sit in the big red chair, with his penchant for power who knows who he'll be trying to outfit in orange? Some response, dialogue, Dah????
June 7, 2010 4:09 PM
My understanding is that this is not possible in PA.
Grabngo
How can we find out about a recall petition?
This link http://www.fandm.edu/x3994 is to an article explaining the recall process. It isn't available in PA at the state level as I understand it. Just have to campaign against Corbett and keep him from becoming Gov.
Grabngo
Harley jumps from AG’s office to Corbett’s campaign
Tom Corbett’s gubernatorial campaign Monday named Kevin Harley as its communications director after serving in the same role for the attorney general’s office the last five and a half years.
Harley had been Corbett’s chief spokesman on all of the attorney general’s high-profile initiatives, including the public corruption probe known as “Bonusgate” and his lawsuit against the recently approved federal health care bill.
He previously served as Corbett’s spokesman during his 2004 campaign for the state’s chief prosecutor job and as press secretary for Mike Fisher’s gubernatorial bid in 2002.
Campaign Manager Brian Nutt and press secretary Kirsten Page had handled the bulk of the campaign’s press relations until now.
The move could spark criticism among Corbett’s detractors, who will likely say Harley’s shuffling between government and political duties represents the same kind blurring between the two roles that attorney general has used to indict 25 people connected or part of the House Republican and Democratic caucuses the last three years.
In addition to Harley, Nutt has also moved from a government-paid position in the attorney general’s office to a role on his campaign.
But the spokesman’s new job also means that he can’t be accused of drawing a paycheck from taxpayers while doing political work for Corbett.
“Bonusgate” has focued in large part, although not exclusively, on millions of dollars of public money misappropriated for political purposes in each House caucus.
PoliticsPA:
Corbett faces more calls to step down
By Alex Roarty
PoliticsPA Staff Writer
roarty@politicspa.com
HARRISBURG — A coalition of left-of center and good government advocacy groups gathered Tuesday morning in the Capitol to demand Attorney General Tom Corbett resign as the state’s chief prosecutor if he plans to continue his gubernatorial campaign.
The advocates, many of whom have been critical of Corbett before, said many of the actions he’s taken, whether joining a lawsuit to overturn the recently signed federal health care bill or thus far prosecuting only House members in connection with his “Bonusgate” probe, raise questions about his impartiality.
Some of them said even the perception of impropriety is reason enough for him to step down.
“The people of the Commonwealth need to trust that the justice system will work impartially, but the clouds of accusation and suspicion that are engulfing Mr. Corbett are raising too many doubts,” said Michael Morrill, executive director of the left-of-center Keystone Progress.
His request was joined by several good-government groups, such as Democracy Rising PA and RocktheCapital.org, and several liberal advocates, such as the SEIU PA state council and Healthcare for America Now.
Criticism about Corbett’s dual roles is nothing new.
The complaints started began in 2007, before he was running for governor, when critics assailed him for using his public corruption investigation, which to that point had indicted only people connected with the House Democratic Caucus, for political purposes.
It reached a fever pitch for some when Corbett was one of 14 attorneys general to join a lawsuit against the federal health care bill only days after President Obama signed the legislation.
Defense attorneys for some of those charged in the attorney general’s investigation have argued the charges against their clients, which stem from allegations of using taxpayer funded resources for political gain, should be thrown out because Corbett himself is doing something similar with his office.
But the attorney general’s official spokesman flatly rejects the notion Corbett should resign.
“He is not resigning,” said spokesman Kevin Harley. “He’s fulfilling his duties as attorney general and will continue to do so.”
Harley added, “It appears that these groups have joined the chorus of criminal defendants who have been charged with political corruption who realize that the only way to get their way into paper is to criticize Tom Corbett.”
For some of the advocates attending Tuesday’s press conference, the attorney general wasn’t the only gubernatorial candidate who should resign.
Eric Epstein of RocktheCapital.org said the other five candidates should similarly step down because they also hold public office while conducting a campaign. It’s the “longest-running farce” in public service, he said.
“All of the gubernatorial candidates are benefiting from holding one office while seeking to relocate to the governor’s mansion,” Epstein said.
“You can’t claim you’re working a full-time job on behalf of the people while simultaneously running a full-time campaign on behalf of yourself.
“How many private employers pay their employees to look for another job on the company clock?” he added.
How many people were given Immunity and how much are they paid by the Commonwealth?
Jurors and Grand Jurors want to know?
The Media does not!
Sorrey, I thought Recall was possible. I guess Pennsylvania isn't as Progressive as some other states. Perhaps they need to work on changing the system. It incenses me to see elected officials assuming so much power and using it against their constituency.
"Everybody does it" is not a defense to any charge under the law. "Team Veon" should have learned that before going to trial with a ridiculous defense. I hope they serve humble pie in prison, because Brett needs to stuff his face with a lot of it after running his mouth about being convicted on only 3 counts - he still will do almost 2 years in jail, have to pay $61,000, and will be a convicted felon for the rest of his life.
Anonymous said..."Everybody does it" is not a defense to any charge under the law. "Team Veon" should have learned that before going to trial with a ridiculous defense. I hope they serve humble pie in prison, because Brett needs to stuff his face with a lot of it after running his mouth about being convicted on only 3 counts - he still will do almost 2 years in jail, have to pay $61,000, and will be a convicted felon for the rest of his life. June 8, 2010 4:39 PM
A one sided investigation ignoring key senators is not justice either!
Hiring staffers for your own campaign from these senators is not right either!
Letting go many employees that actually broke the law and giving them immunity and having the state pay for them and their pensions and benefits is not saving the taxpayers anything.
Putting someone i Jail for 5 years on losing 39 counts you cannot prove is simply outright wrong, evil and will not stand.
An investigation of the OAG is in order and if you claim you seek justice then seek justice for all, and quit protecting your friends and contributors.
No, it's not a legal defense (and to my knowledge no one ever raised it as one) but it certainly does call into question the choices that Corbett made when deciding who to indict.
"Everybody does it" was not the conclusion of the defendants, but of the grand jurors, who had nothing more to go on than what Corbett himself presented to them. It's not like the grand jury had special access to information Corbett didn't have. If that's what they concluded, what the heck could Corbett have been thinking?
Is there any doubt that Cott was sentenced for "running his mouth," as you say? He was sentenced for his comment after the verdict; the prosecutor was embarrassed.
The prosecutors should have been more embarassed about how they completely bent over for the Corbett campaign team and checked their morals at the door...
Above poster is either from the Attorney General's Office, or the most naive person in Harrisburg.
After what happened in Luzerne County, the whole state judicial system is under a microscope and that microscope is not located in Pennsylvania, either in the Federal or State systems here. It's in the nation's capital or outsourced to a some reputable offic in another state to keep it under wraps. You can bet money on it.
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