Remember 2004?
Such an innocent time. Back then, it never occurred to anyone in the General Assembly that people could go to jail on accusations of using public resources for political purposes.
So innocent, in fact, that Republican Senators and staff alike had no qualms about admitting to a newspaper reporter that the caucus was paying a political operative, using taxpayer funds, to conduct opposition research on political candidates.
Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Corbett did his best not to uncover any evidence against Senate Republicans by refusing to subpoena a single one of them, but even his best efforts couldn't keep them from incriminating themselves.
"From what I understand, [political operative Ron Harper Jr.] was very influential in helping Sen. Rob Wonderling defeat his opponent in Montgomery County," Sen. Gib E. Armstrong told the Lancaster Intelligencer-Journal and New Era. "Apparently, Wonderling's opponent did work with a redevelopment authority down there and was putting properties in his own name. Well, when that came out, it was over."
Breathtaking, isn't it? Taxpayer-funded political operative Mike Long didn't even try to hide the fact that the opposition research was conducted on the public dime: "Long said Harper earns $3,000 a month from the Senate Republican Caucus to research people and subjects important to the Senate."
Some of the other "people and subjects important to the Senate" back then were anti-pay raise activists working to unseat Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer, Senate Republican Leader David "Chip" Brightbill and Republican Caucus chairman Sen. Noah Wenger. Young Conservatives of Pennsylvania said Harper "threatened and harassed" them.
Also "important to the Senate" was former Blair County Commissioner, now Senator John Eichelberger, who defeated Jubelirer in the 2006 primary. Harper allegedly "stalked" and harassed Eichelberger both during the 2006 Senate primary against Jubelierer and during a 2003 county commission primary, when Eichelberger ran against a Jubelirer-backed candidate.
Was Steve MacNett, in his voluntary appearances before the grand jury -the sole Senate GOPer to appear - asked about Harper's contract? Or Drew Crompton's months on the Lynn Swann campaign in 2006 and his subsequent taxpayer-funded bonus? Or the campaign work "political guru" Mike Long ran from his state senate office, and his corresponding bonuses? We're quite sure MacNett didn't "volunteer"' the information.
It's not 2004 anymore. You can't count on Senate Republicans freely admitting that taxpayer dollars were spent on political opposition research. In 2011, only a subpoena will get tongues wagging like it's 2004 again.
7 comments:
Republicans thought they had it cover up.
Now? Now it's all gone.
Conservative Republicans Eichelberger and Cawley have done the right thing by blowing to smithereens the cover-ups conducted by current Republican Leadership in House and Senate IN COMPLICITY WITH Frank Fina’s intentional failure not to investigate the senate over 6 years.
Moreover, Attorney General Kelly can no longer turn a blind eye to Deputy Attorney General Frank Fina failure to investigate this easily verifiable and currently in writing retention of Dirty Trickery Ronald Harper, Jr against fellow Republicans and Democratic Candidates.
All purchased with the authorization of Mike Long, Todd Nyquist, and Drew Cromption with SENATE FUNDS ON SENATE STATE TIME FOR CAMPAIGNS OPERATION RESEARCH.
Frank Fina has much explaining to do and AG Linda Kelly will decide soon to be part of this cover up and commit her own crimes in the process or time to take Frank Fina down.
Long, Nyquists and Crompton will not lie for their Bosses either.
Time to spread the information you discovered as Transit Papers all over the Web so it catches the eyes of US Attorneys and District Attorneys where Ron Harper operated from in his senate employ.
Just like in the real movie Casablanca, it was the Transit Papers getaway that caught Major Heinrich Strasser in the cross hairs of men of goodwill willing to do some good in the world.
Looks like you will catch a few Generals from the AG Office on a cover they cannot maintain anymore.
This is the beginning of a beautiful relationship, New Republican Reformers of Truth Squad looking to have Old Guard Republican Power Playmakers under arrest and sent to Prison.
While cleaning out the Attorney General Office that was not just letting it happen but making it happen in a cover up they thought would never be exposed.
Spread it on the web for a week and then give it 14 days, then file complaints in every 67 Counties in the Commonwealth, as a Private Person and the Press will do the rests.
GREAT JOB CASABLANCAPA!
HEY FRANK FINA, YOU HAVE AN ADMISSION BY MIKE LONG HE HIRED POLITICAL OPERATIONS RESEARCH ON STATE TIME WITH STATE FUNDS ON CAMPAIGN APPOINTMENTS AND CANDIDATES......
YOU HAVE SENATOR EICHELBERGER THAT HAS CONFIRMED IT WAS USED AGAINST HIM AS A VICTIM OF MIKE LONG OPERATION RESEARCH, AND EICHELBERGER HAS MORE EVIDENCE FOR YOU....
YOU HAVE EVIDENCE HARPER WENT AFTER JIM CAWLEY WHEN HE RAN FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.......
THERE IS FAR MORE AND ALL YOU NEED DO IS BRING THEM IN INVESTIGATE THEM, FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE AND TAKE THEM BEFORE A GRAND JURY EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE ADMISSIONS IN THE PRESS BY MIKE LONG AND HARPER....
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE FRANK FINA OR EXPLAIN WHY YOU COVER IT UP SO LONG???
Ron Harper Jr.'s talent for digging up scandals earned him attention from Harrisburg insiders after the resignation of former state Rep. John E. Barley two years ago.
One of those insiders was Mike Long, chief of staff for Senate President Pro Tempore Robert C. Jubelirer. Long became so interested, he hired Harper to work for the Senate Republican Caucus about 15 months ago.
"Ron is one of the very best research people I have ever worked with," Long said. "He is thorough and an extremely strong researcher. He's a huge asset."
Long said Harper earns $3,000 a month from the Senate Republican Caucus to research people and subjects important to the Senate. Members of the Republican Caucus use his findings to educate themselves about gubernatorial cabinet and judicial nominees who are seeking confirmation.
"Frankly, it's an important duty of the Senate," Long said.
Harper, after looking into the backgrounds of Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell's appointees, provides the information to Republican senators. Some call it "opposition research."
"Ron is an independent contractor," Long said. "It's a different kind of relationship because he doesn't report directly to anyone, and we know he has other assignments."
Harper said he also does research for a variety of political consulting companies.
"The (caucus is) one of several clients I do work for," Harper said. "I also provide research on policy issues that are important to upcoming votes."
MORE BELOW FOR STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL INVESTIGATORS.....
FROM ABOVE FOR STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL INVESTIGATORS....
Harper said to avoid the appearance of impropriety he doesn't take business related to Lancaster County politics.
"I have never and will never (do) opposition research in a county race," he said. "Anything I do in the county on county politicians is purely voluntary."
For at least a year, Harper has operated beneath the radar of most senators - both Democrat and Republican.
Sen. Gib E. Armstrong, a Refton Republican who represents part of Lancaster County, said he didn't find out until about six weeks ago that Harper contracts for the caucus.
"I found out about it and went to Mike Long and said, 'Did we hire this guy?' He looked at me and said, 'Yes, we did.' I just couldn't believe it," Armstrong said.
"From what I understand, he was very influential in helping Sen. Rob Wonderling defeat his opponent in Montgomery County," Armstrong said. "Apparently, Wonderling's opponent did work with a redevelopment authority down there and was putting properties in his own name. Well, when that came out, it was over."
Armstrong said he rarely talks to Harper.
"But I've always been intrigued by the guy," Armstrong said. "I think he's proven himself. I don't know who his sources are, but they're good."
Long said Harper's expedience sets him apart from other researchers.
"He is extensive and he is thorough and he is quite fast in the way he goes through material," Long said. "It's amazing how quickly he can go through a vast amount of information."
Senate Majority Caucus Chairman Noah Wenger, a Stevens Republican, declined to discuss Harper's work for the caucus.
"I don't handle that particular part (of the caucus' activities)," Wenger said. "I'd really rather not be quoted on that."
State Rep. Katie True, who worked briefly for Jubelirer's office in 2001, said Harper's work for the Senate Republican Caucus is no secret in Harrisburg.
"I have seen him with his badge on walking through the Capitol," she said. "I just saw him last week. There's not been any attempt to hide anything. It's been very open."
Despite Harper's local notoriety, Long said, he is widely respected in Harrisburg.
"I've had a great working relationship with Ron," Long said. "He's very passionate. Not everybody brings that kind of passion with them to this kind of work."
Senate Republicans "have done everything possible to cooperate with the Attorney General's office," said the statement from Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson County, and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware County.
BUT THEY FORGOT ABOUT THIS WRITTEN CONTRACT PAID FOR OPERATION RESEARCH ON STATE TIME WITH STATE FUNDSAGAINST THOSE RUNNING ON CAMPAIGNS AGAINST INCUMBENT SENATE LEADERSHIP????
As a reminder, J. Andrew "Drew" Crompton, in 2006, Crompton took 3 months of unpaid leave from his position with Robert Jubelirer to work on the Swann campaign.
Upon his return to the senate, he received a $19,467 bonus above Crompton salary of $101,523.
Pennsylvania Senate Pro-Tempore Joe Scarnati now’s says, the award or receipt of a bonus is not a crime. Tying the bonuses to campaigns is illegal, prosecutors said.
Literally, the direction is: 'There's the Crimes Code. If someone's violating it, put it before the grand jury and see where it goes,'" Fina said.
"There's no ledger for politics in the crimes code. ... Anybody who violated the law is going to get it," Fina said.
MORE FOR FRANKY FINA TO INVESTIGATE FROM AN INDEPENDENT SOURCE:
EVIDENCE "1A":
If taxpayers paid out $1.2 million for the early defense of state Sen. Jane Orie, not a dime of it went to the attorney who represented her before prosecutors filed corruption charges against her, the lawyer said on Friday.
"We were never paid by the Senate -- not for Jane Orie's case," said the McCandless Republican's former attorney, Jerry McDevitt of the Downtown firm K&L Gates. "No, we have not been paid, and no, we do not expect to be paid."
Senate GOP spokesman Erik Arneson said this week that $1.2 million of taxpayer money was spent in connection with Orie's defense prior to her charges. That could include money spent representing the Senate caucus and Senate staffers involved with the case, Arneson said.
"The $1.2 million, as I understand it currently, is for costs related to this investigation. That very likely does include costs related to representation of the caucus itself and/or staff," Arneson said in an e-mail.
FRANK FIND OUT WHERE SENATE MONEY TO PROTECT SENATORS WENT, SOMEONE GOT CAUGHT LYING OR OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE IN THE ABOVE ARTICLE?
II. EVIDENCE "1B"
EXHIBIT "B":
JOHN EICHELBERGER REVEALATIONS:
http://fixpa.wikia.com/wiki/John_Eichelberger
QUOTE UNDER TRUTH SQUAD ALERT UNDER EICHELBERGER WEBSITE
"The State Senate campaign of Commissioner John Eichelberger responds today to the decision by Senator Jubelirer to again employ private investigator Ron Harper, Jr. Harper, who is documented to have been paid by the State Senate, attended this morning’s Blair County Commissioner’s meeting for the purposes of intimidating Commissioner Eichelberger."
"Mr. Harper has worked for Senator Jubelirer on numerous campaigns including: the effort to threaten and silence the Young Conservatives of Pennsylvania as they attempted to educate the public about the 2005 legislative pay raise, Robert Regola’s campaign against Democratic Senator Allen Kukovich and Barry Wright’s campaign for Blair County Commissioner."
FRANK LOOK AT THIS WEBSITE INFORMATION, OUTRIGHT STATES LONG HIRED HARPER ON STATE TIME BY SENATE MONEY FOR OPERATRION RESEARCH AND THAT WAS OVER 6 YEARS AGO FRANK, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN.
EVIDENCE "1C"
..."Literally, the direction is: 'There's the Crimes Code. If someone's violating it, put it before the grand jury and see where it goes,'" Fina said.
"There's no ledger for politics in the crimes code. ... Anybody who violated the law is going to get it," Fina said.
GENERAL LINDA KELLY, YOU BETTER INVESTIGATE FRANK FINA COMPLICITY IN NOT FOLLOWING THE CRIME CODE VIOLATIONS BT MIKE LONG AND COVERING UP THE EVIDENCE HE DID FOLLOW.
IT WAS PUT UP JUST FOR YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING, OR WHY NOT CALL IN A SPECIAL INDEPENDENT PROSECUTOR IF YOU FEEL COMPROMISED TOO????
This is some serious evidence you came up with on the Internet that can easily be verified with senate documents, unless they were destroyed?
But then they have Obstruction of Justice problems don't they?
If AG Corbett bragged about moving so fast on the Democratic Investigations, it is time for AG Kelly to do the same with the disclosure of these documents.
These are serious crimes with admissions by Mike Long in the Newspapers, HARPER was an Attack Dog, hiding and acting like a criminal by his actions and words, not a WATCH DOG as Mike Long lied about.
Frank Fina has serious problems too now, waiting over 9 years, when Mike Long was hiring HARPER in 2003 and before to attack other candidates???
Frank Fina needs investigated FIRST and FOREMOST, NOW!
I think Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson County, and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware County should hire a Democratic Former Prosecutor and investigate these matters as quickly as possible and turn anything on a criminal code violation over to the US Attorneys.
Bill DeWeese did the same thing and hired a Republican former Prosecutor that turned over all evidence to the Attorney General and Corbett was covering up his senate investigation all along, that is clear now, and maybe why he indicted DeWeese?
It is the only right thing for Joe Scarnati and Dominic Pileggi, to do right now before they are caught in a cover up they cannot control.
I have the duty to inform you that Frank Fins is everywhere when it comes to charging Democrats and nowhere at the same time when charging Republicans.
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