Thursday, September 8, 2011

PAYING THE PIPER, PART II


The state-paid legal fees did not cover the defense of officials once they were charged. They went to the cost of representing caucuses in the investigation and to ongoing bills for counsel for scores of House and Senate employees subpoenaed to testify. (Tribune-Review, 9/8/11)

During 2007 and 2008, when the House Democratic Caucus was the sole focus of Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Corbett's investigation of the General Assembly, H. William DeWeese was Majority Leader.

DeWeese was not among the original defendants indicted, despite ample evidence of his culpability.

In 2009, Todd Eachus replaced DeWeese as Leader of the now-Minority House Democratic Caucus. In 2009, DeWeese was indicted, but Eachus was not, despite ample evidence of his complicity.

In 2009, Sam Smith was Leader of the Majority Republican Caucus. John Perzel, for all his former power, held no formal leadership role in his caucus. When Corbett finally got around to indicting Republicans in 2009, Smith was not among them and Perzel was, despite the fact that Smith signed the shady contracts at the center of Perzel's alleged crimes.

Under Pennsylvania's caucus system, the only person authorized to spend caucus funds, whether for bonuses or for computer contracts or for legal fees, is the Leader. Not the Whip, and not the "Speaker Emeritus."

As we have noted before, at least one judge in Pennsylvania recognizes that witnesses are reluctant to implicate the people paying their legal bills. One might say an entire investigation could be tainted by such an arrangement.

It's "interesting" that of the three sitting lawmakers indicted, none of them were in a position to pay the lawyers counseling the witnesses who testified to the grand jury, and no one who controlled the purse strings during the testimony was indicted.

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

Agree we need to get those slippery republicrats marching into court.

Payjacker D'Wheezie and the Amazing Orie Sisters are going to be fun to watch but we need to keep the hopper full of republicrats.

Wish Perzel was headed for 35 years - the deterrent PA needs - but I am nervous he's going to be back out on the street some day.

Anonymous said...

This entire investigation has been a carefully contrived gambling purpose that is beginning to spiral out of control.

In the courts, many are going to inspire interpretations of Dostoevsky's work.

Unbeknownst to the OAG, their reckless gambling on fixing convictions is going to be a big blowback leaving them with a huge debt with grave consequences if they do not set it straight.

This public extortion is a hefty mortified way to make a small fortune.

They have been taking out their anger on political sharks in the middle of the change in power, has gone quietly recorded.

Expecting help from the Feds gets nothing disappointment and disgust.

The only solution left is to lure one of the Lawmakers into accepting political debts.

Having corrupted a previously group, and once revealed will appall everyone's behavior as they are confronted their masochistically dangerous men who leaves them with a bloody and permanent reminder of their own actions.

A failure of nerve will not happen, and political power is the one trait one cannot fake, either you have it, or do not!

Anonymous said...

How about all these "band wagon" Republicans, new and old pushing bills to down size the legislature, particularly the House. It's a joke - any reduction requires the bill to pass two consecutive sessions of the legislature and then a public referendum - assuming it passes the legislature and the referendum, it can't be implemented until after the next census in 2020. Speaker Sam Smith and any other member pushing it is only putting out lip service because it wouldn't have any impact on any sitting Senator or House Member - the pension vests in 10 years and the life time health insurance perk vests in 10 years too. What a joke - AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE, DON'T LISTEN TO WHAT THE REPUBLICANS SAY, TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT WHAT THEY DO.

Anonymous said...

HARRISBURG -- Since a bonus scandal surfaced in 2007, Senate Republicans turned over "tens of thousands of documents" to investigators, as well as e-mail, telephone and Internet records, they said in a statement on Monday.

In their most comprehensive statement on the investigation, Senate Republicans said the state Attorney General's Office has interviewed officials affiliated with the caucus, and former Senate Republican General Counsel Stephen MacNett twice voluntarily appeared before an investigating grand jury.

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.

Nils Frederiksen, a spokesman for Attorney General Linda Kelly, said he could not comment on any investigation.

A law firm the caucus hired interviewed 55 current and former caucus employees and provided the information learned in those interviews to the attorney general.

The Senate Republicans have paid $2.5 million for outside legal fees in the bonus investigation.

No one has been subpoenaed, said Senate GOP spokesman Erik Arneson.

Ten people with ties to the House Democratic Caucus have been convicted in a scheme to award $1.4 million in bonuses to staffers for campaign work. Two Democrats were acquitted.

In a spinoff probe of House Republicans, five people entered guilty pleas. Three Republicans are slated for trial later this month. The GOP scheme involved $10 million worth of computer equipment and programs intended for use on campaigns.

Records showed bonuses given to legislative staffers in the 2005-06 session totaled $3.6 million. House Democrats handed out $2.3 million; House Republicans, $919,000; Senate Republicans $366,000 and Senate Democrats, $41,000.

Senate Republicans were the first caucus, at Scarnati's order, to release a complete list of bonuses.

The award or receipt of a bonus is not a crime. Tying the bonuses to campaigns is illegal, prosecutors said.

Gov. Tom Corbett, a Republican, started the investigation when he was attorney general. Corbett's critics claimed he would not investigate the Senate Republicans because they have historically been strong financial and political supporters.

Anonymous said...

Someone needs to investigate the Pennsylvania Senate on the Biggest Bonuses given out for Campaign Work on State Time.

And how those Senate Aides worked for Attorney General Corbett that was running for Governor when he was suppose to be investigating the same people walking in and out of the Attorney General Office on the Corbett Campaign pass by the same OAG Investigators and Prosecutors investigating them.

If Republican Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson County, and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware County, expect the Commonwealth Taxpayers to believe that Republican Bonuses were legal but never investigated.

And Democrats were illegal because they were investigated, while both of these so-called Lawmakers hired the very people who got the largest bonuses, then they need to be invetigated by the Federal Government for Obstruction of Justice for covering it up.

What Republican Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson County, and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware County should call for IN ALL HONESTY. is a Attorney General Grand Jury to investigate the Pennsylvania Senate on providing bonuses for campaign work.

Since they have declared themselves innocent why worry about a Grand Jury Investigation to prove they were right?

Both should demand an investigation of the senate on Bonusgate that has been covered up, ignored, and intentionally criminal in selecting the prosecution of a few without asking for the people who took illegal bonuses to payback to the treasury?

Investigate the Investigation!

But as we can see, Republican Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson County, and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware County prefer to pay over a milion in Defense Lawyer Fees to prevent an investigation.

These men do not sound honest to me at all, and instead smell of a cover up and how white collar criminals act in real life.

How can any reasonable person disgree, upon their statements in the media?

Where is Attorney General Linda Kelly now when we need her HONESTY now?

Anonymous said...

If the Senate Republicans were innoncent why did they need to spend $2.5 million for outside legal fees in the bonus investigations?

This alone, by itself, is clear evidence they are covering up something very wrong.

Innocent people do not need to spend $2.5 Million on Legal Fees if not indicted, or do they need to spend it to cover something up?

I mean, the FBI, US Attorneys, and PAOAG Public Crime Unit should be all over this high admission of wrong doing alone as indicated by the Defense Dollars being spent on so-called innocent Republican Senators in need of Legal Counsel.

Anonymous said...

Senate caucus lawyers paid $1.2 million for Orie investigation

By Bobby Kerlik, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, September 14, 2011


The bulk of the more than $1.2 million of public money that was paid out in relation to the investigation of state Sen. Jane Orie went to the law firm that represented the Senate caucus, figures released on Tuesday show.

Senate GOP spokesman Erik Arneson released cost figures showing that Philadelphia law firm Conrad O'Brien was paid $785,849. The firm represents the caucus and made numerous court filings related to Orie's defense.

Orie, 49, a McCandless Republican, is awaiting trial on charges she ordered her staff to perform political work on state time.

Other lawyers and firms who received taxpayer money include Obermayer Rebman Maxwell & Hippel LLP, $217,501; Thomas J. Farrell & Jay K. Reisinger, $131,794; DeForest Koscelnik Yokitis Kaplan & Berardinelli, $46,801; William F. Ward, $34,001; and Stephen Stallings, $12,720.

Arneson declined to say who the firms represented, citing attorney-client privilege.

None of the bills shows that Orie's previous attorney, Jerry McDevitt, or her current attorney, William Costopoulos, received money, according to Arneson's cost figures.

"Speaking generally, I can say that at least some of the payments included on the list were for costs incurred by the caucus on its own behalf," Arneson said.

Stalling represented the prosecution's star witness, former chief of staff Jamie Pavlot, during the first trial. He declined to comment.

David Berardinelli, of the firm DeForest Koscelnik Yokitis Kaplan & Berardinelli, said his firm represented at least five witnesses in the case. He declined to name them.

Ward, who is Gov. Tom Corbett's chief of staff, also has represented the caucus. He did not return a call for comment.

Matthew Haverstick, an attorney with Conrad O'Brien who represents the Senate caucus, declined to comment.

The other firms did not return calls for comment.

Prosecutors in April 2010 charged Orie and her sister, Janine Orie, 57, of McCandless. She worked as an aide to state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin, another sister. Melvin is not charged.

A trial for the Ories ended in a mistrial in March when Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning found the senator's attorney introduced forged documents. District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. charged Jane Orie in August with 16 new crimes, including perjury and forgery related to the documents.

Costopoulos yesterday filed requests seeking to postpone Orie's retrial, which is scheduled for Oct. 3, and to join the senator's two cases into one trial.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/state/s_756655.html

Anonymous said...

Senate caucus lawyers paid $1.2 million for Orie investigation

By Bobby Kerlik, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, September 14, 2011


The bulk of the more than $1.2 million of public money that was paid out in relation to the investigation of state Sen. Jane Orie went to the law firm that represented the Senate caucus, figures released on Tuesday show.

Senate GOP spokesman Erik Arneson released cost figures showing that Philadelphia law firm Conrad O'Brien was paid $785,849. The firm represents the caucus and made numerous court filings related to Orie's defense.

Orie, 49, a McCandless Republican, is awaiting trial on charges she ordered her staff to perform political work on state time.

Other lawyers and firms who received taxpayer money include Obermayer Rebman Maxwell & Hippel LLP, $217,501; Thomas J. Farrell & Jay K. Reisinger, $131,794; DeForest Koscelnik Yokitis Kaplan & Berardinelli, $46,801; William F. Ward, $34,001; and Stephen Stallings, $12,720.

Arneson declined to say who the firms represented, citing attorney-client privilege.

None of the bills shows that Orie's previous attorney, Jerry McDevitt, or her current attorney, William Costopoulos, received money, according to Arneson's cost figures.

"Speaking generally, I can say that at least some of the payments included on the list were for costs incurred by the caucus on its own behalf," Arneson said.

Stalling represented the prosecution's star witness, former chief of staff Jamie Pavlot, during the first trial. He declined to comment.

David Berardinelli, of the firm DeForest Koscelnik Yokitis Kaplan & Berardinelli, said his firm represented at least five witnesses in the case. He declined to name them.

Ward, who is Gov. Tom Corbett's chief of staff, also has represented the caucus. He did not return a call for comment.

Matthew Haverstick, an attorney with Conrad O'Brien who represents the Senate caucus, declined to comment.

The other firms did not return calls for comment.

Prosecutors in April 2010 charged Orie and her sister, Janine Orie, 57, of McCandless. She worked as an aide to state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin, another sister. Melvin is not charged.

A trial for the Ories ended in a mistrial in March when Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning found the senator's attorney introduced forged documents. District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. charged Jane Orie in August with 16 new crimes, including perjury and forgery related to the documents.

Costopoulos yesterday filed requests seeking to postpone Orie's retrial, which is scheduled for Oct. 3, and to join the senator's two cases into one trial.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/state/s_756655.html

Anonymous said...

One thing about Dick Scaife, he backed Nixon, but once Nixon got caught in lying about Watergate, Scaife turned his Newspapers and Media on Nixon until he resigned.

We may be seeing the same thing on some Republicans in Pennsylvania, and when the Pittsburgh Tribune Review is the only paper reporting these disclosures on the Reublican Senators and Senate Aides with the biggest bonuses without an investigation.

Well, it took one John Dean to bring the entire Presidency down and Corbett has more than one John Dean in his ranks, once an investigation begins, no lawyering up, will stop the run for Immunity to save their lives and fortunes from jail.

Republicans eat their own once investigations start, just ask Bob Asher!

Anonymous said...

OOPS! ANOTHER BREAKING INVESTIGATION OF REPUBLICAN SENATE SPENDING ON BOGUSGATE WITH MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS RIGHT NOW???

Former Orie lawyer says he wasn't paid

By Bobby Kerlik, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, September 10, 2011

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.

He could not provide a breakdown showing to whom the money went because flooding in Harrisburg closed Senate offices for a second day. The Tribune-Review requested details of taxpayer funding of Orie's legal bills in April, but Senate chief clerk Russell Faber declined to turn over that information, citing attorney-client privilege.

Orie, 49, is awaiting retrial on charges she ordered her staff to perform political work on state time.

Her attorney, William Costopoulos, did not return calls for comment. Costopoulos, who began representing Orie after she was charged, had not received any payments from the Senate as of April, Faber said at the time.

Prosecutors in April 2010 charged Orie and her sister, Janine Orie, 57, also of McCandless. She worked as an aide to state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin, another sister. Melvin is not charged.

Caucus attorney Matt Haverstick, who is with the Philadelphia law firm Conrad O'Brien, did not return a message for comment.

A trial for the Ories ended in a mistrial in March when Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning found the senator's attorney introduced forged documents. District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. charged Jane Orie in August with 16 new crimes, including perjury and forgery related to the documents.


Read more: Former Orie lawyer says he wasn't paid - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/state/s_756052.html#ixzz1XxlHrOAQ

Anonymous said...

Oh Boy, Looks like Corbett & his Minions of a cover up could be whiffing the smell of big curve balls heading their way striking eight men out.....with Cawley On Deck to take over the Governor's Mansion.

As they say, anyone can purport to walk the straight and narrow, but it is the curves that cause the trouble even among the most honest men of honor.

Power knows no mercy once another wants it!

Anonymous said...

One thing for sure is happening now.

After reading the Pittsburgh Tribune Review article on how Deputy Attorney General Frank Fina clearly has not followed the evidence nor investigated nor called a Grand Jury on Republican Senate and none of this going away.

In fact, it is growing into questions now being asked by Republicans.

The very fact that some Republican Senators and House Members were finally elected after defeating long time political powerful State Senators and House Members.

As the Republican Clandestine Architects Mike Long and Drew Crompton’s working on Campaigns using state resources on state time against theses now current senators for years go uninvestigated.

Many are growing upset because true justice not practices by Frank Fina or Tom Corbett.

Mike Long and Drew Crompton raising funds on State Time for their Incumbent Republicans, and being given Bonuses for election work, and now working with the current Senate Leadership, will no longer be tolerated nor given a free pass from a proper investigation.

If there is an outside investigation on Tom Corbett and Frank Fina failure to follow the evidence in the senate, both will have to resign and as they are prosecuted for Obstruction of Justice among other crimes.

It will be fellow Republicans of goodwill that will hang Corbett and Fina out to dry by fellow Republicans choosing Reforms and the Truth over Corbett Campaign for Governor on state time before 5 PM under the disguise of Bonus Gate.

It is clear Frank Fina complicity in this cover up non-investigation of the senate needs to brought into the light of day for the truth to come out.

It is good that questions are being put forth to the Senate Leadership and Frank Fina, that they cannot answer; claiming floodwaters have engulfed the Capitol.

More like drowning from their own vomit of corruption.

Anonymous said...

I have one simple question?

How can Stan Smith escape an investigation of what John Perzel now admits he did in his plea, when Stan Smith signed off of each and every contract?

Why did Frank Fina never investigate Stan Smith?

Sorry, 2 questions but both need answers.

Anonymous said...

Why has the Attorney General Linda Kelly NOT investigated how J. Andrew "Drew" Crompton can be given a legitimate SENATE BONUS AS CLAIMED BY Pennsylvania Senate Pro-Tempore Joe Scarnati FOR LESS THAN YEARS WORK?

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.

But Frank Fina and his prosecutors have never subpoenaed nor investigated anyone in the senate for over 6 years?

Is the public and better yet Frank Fina suppose to believe that only Drew Crompton can work less than a full year on the senate payroll and deserve a full year's bonus for less than a year on the job?

More importantly, someone needs to investigate Pennsylvania Senate Pro-Tempore Joe Scarnati judgment in not being able to explain how senate Republican Aides are allow to run Republican Campaigns on leave, but get full year bonuses upon return?

More importantly, Pennsylvania Senate Pro-Tempore Joe Scarnati needs to be brought before a Grand Jury, and preferably one not conducted by Frank Fina that has not investigated the senate in over 6 years!

Why is Senate Pro-Tempore Joe Scarnati spending $2.5 million for lawyers on an investigation frank Fina is not investigating?

None of this adding up anymore, except a clear direction of an organized cover up of Justice and Senate.

Anonymous said...

Frank Fina had better have some answers soon on his Non-Investigation of Stan Smith complicity with John Perzel signatures, now we know why Perzel will not be sentenced for months or years just as Mike Manzo has not been sentenced for years.

Yet, William Ward close friend and Chief of Staff of Governor Corbett reduced Rachael Manzo's sentence from 12 counts to 1 Misdemeanors while keeping her pension.

By the way, Frank Fina went along with deal and needs to be investigated too.

What is great the new Republican Senators elected after being abused by former senators for running against them, as allow Frank Fina, Tom Corbett, and William Ward to leave a paper trail of evidence never investigated by them.

I smell a "John Dean" coming forth sooner not later.

Even worse, one of them will end up like Scooter Libby.

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with what I am reading here. I went to that Tribune paper and read more.

In my mind, no question the old republican guard is caught in a cover up in the senate with the office of attorney general.

It is up to the new republicans to start to ask good questions and remove the power brokers conducting this cover up.

This includes people that went with Governor Corbett as well.

Good republicans need to call for an investigation of current leadership and the aides they employed on campaigns and took huge bonuses while hurting reformers trying to win elections.

I am a republican and trust me this dam is going to break in ways that will send many running for layers and few will get away with it.

This fina/corbett/long triade is just wrong in how they worked to cover up crimes.

Anonymous said...

What kind of deal did Sam Smith with or for Frank Fina to avoid investigating Smith?

Sam Smith is person of interest as far as the public is concern.

Anonymous said...

Attorney General Tom Corbett is enduring scrutiny as he runs a probe of the Capitol while running for re-election.

"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.

But senate Republicans have been exempt from an investigation, grand jury, and Frank Fina cannot explain why unless he is part of a cover up.

Anonymous said...

Did Frank Fina ever interview Senator John Eichelberger of Blair Township, Pennsylvania on Bonuses given to Mike, Long, Todd Nyquist, and Drew Crompton?

After all, Eichelberger was the target of a dirty tricks campaign panned and implemented by Long, Nyquist, and Crompton when Eichelberger ran for election and had to overcome these three tricksters.

When Eichelberger rightly exposed Jubelirer for his support of five pay raises to bolster his and state senators pensions, Long, Nyquist, and Crompton went into action as State Employees.

Mike Long soiled Eichelberger by providing false information that Eichelberger had benefited from pay raises as a commissioner.

When in fact Long knew it was not true.

Mike Long Tales never mention John Eichelberger had been required by county code to vote on raises and voted against a pay increase.

Nyquist was let loose as an Attack Dog sicker on Eichelberger lying about voting record on the commission and his religious beliefs being radical along with shadowing gossip about Eichelberger wife Charlotte, put out to hurt the reputation of his family.

Crompton was directed to quietly put out how Eichelberger used his political influence to enrich himself as President of an insurance brokerage in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

This was to cast doubt to prevent his election to office, when in fact Eichelberger always was recognized to his deeds and commitment to ethical behavior.

These three senate aides were paid the highest bonuses while being employees of the taxpayers?

NOW HERE IS THE BEST PART, WHEN TOM CORBETT AND FRANK FINA CLAIMED THEY WERE INVESTIGATING THE REPUBLICAN STAFFERS IN THE SENATE THAT TOOK THE LARGEST TAXPAYERS BONUSES.......

NONE OF THEM…...

...NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL PROSECUTORS, INVESTIGATORS, AND PUBLIC CORRUPTION UNIT DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERALS.....

.....ESPECIALLY FRANK FINA EVER QUESTION JOHN EICHELBERGER ON HIS INFORMATION OF HOW HE WAS SLANDERED, SOILED, AND ATTACKED BY MIKE LONG, TODD NYQUIST OR DREW CROMPTON ON STATE TIME AND PAID BONUSES......

.....ALL PAID BY THE TAXPAYERS TO PROTECT REPUBLICAN INCUMBENTS???

Now if Frank Fina wanted to follow the evidence how could Frank Fina ignore John Eichelberger Information and is still ignoring it after 5 years?

Either Frank Fina was and is not competent to handle the investigations he has not started.....

OR.....

Frank Fina was and is Complicit in the Cover Up of these Senate Aides misdeeds on state time, escaping any and all investigations whatsoever handled by Frank Fina.

This kind of corruption at the Pennsylvania Attorney General Public Corruption Unit needs to be investigated by a Special Prosecutor appointed by the US Attorney Office.

Frank Fina needs to be brought before a Grand Jury Under Oath to answer questions he has avoided under the masquerade he is investigating others?

The Attorney General Public Corruption Unit never followed the evidence assembled by John Eichelberger and they claim if you violate the law, we will get you, is an outright crime within itself?

I think they had better go after themselves, if they believe Fina Falsehooded Words.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 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. September 15, 2011 7:02 AM

While Mike Long engineered as directed by his Bosses he now lobby in front of, the illegal legislative pay hike ranging from 16 to 54% and was upset Eichelberger exposed it by running for his Boss Office.

Michael S. Long, Todd R. Nyquist, and J Andrew Crompton had the senate employ a private investigator Ron Harper, Jr. Harper to dig dirt on Eichelberger.

Even more appalling, Frank Fina Pennsylvania Head of Public Corruption Unit knew this hiring was not only documented on official senate stationary, but knew the State Senate paid by the State Senate for the purposes of intimidating Candidate Eichelberger.

This is far beyond Operation Research that Frank Fina feigned to be aghast at the Grand Jury on Brett Cott and in the courtroom.

Now these events, documents, and people can easily be found by the Great Attorney General Public Corruption Unit Chief Frank Fina.

But somehow, for some reason, Frank Fina in over 6 years has had no query, nor examines, and has refused to bring these Senate Aides to a Grand Jury at all?

How can Frank Fina plea, cry out, and claim in the Media he will go after the evidence and get anyone that violates the criminal code, when this is in his face and onhis desk?

Frank Fina is not just a hypocrite, but perhaps is hiding his own intentional guilt to quash any investigation into Corbett’s friends in the senate.

Frank Fina Is A Fink To Commonwealth Taxpayers Seeking Reimbursement Of These Illegal Bonuses.

If Brett Cott is in Jail, then three Long, Nyquist, and Crompton should be right next to him, and now maybe Fina too.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know the Investigators that work for the Attorney General or State Police, how dumb can these people be in not following up these known details on the public record?

Perhaps one of them will explain under oath how Frank Fina operated what appears to be violation of the criminal code on his own cover up of the senate.

Anonymous said...

“The Three Pigs Bonus Babies & Lone Wolf Finka”

Mickey Long, Toddy Nyquist And Corrupt Crompton Were The Three Biggest Pigs That Were Given The Largest Bonuses.

Deputy Attorney General Franky “Fixer” Fina The Lone Wolf Ever Did To Them Was Build Them A House Of Bricks To Protect Them All From Any Huffing And Puffing By Anyone Including The Media, Grand Jurors Not Brought Before Any Courtroom.

Well, just remember Franky The Fixer, the first two Houses blew down by the wolf on the Pigs, but when the Feds bring you under oath, you will be out of breath after huffing, puffing, and fronting for crimes other did, and you protected from an investigation.

Corbett’s Cover Up Won’t Stand Within His G.O.P. Justice Is Coming And Men Of True Goodwill Are Coming With It!

The Moral Of The Story...There's no ledger for politics in the crimes code. ... Anybody who violated the law is going to get it," Fina said...It Was Not Suppose To Include Me, Corbett Planned It."

Anonymous said...

I checked some of what is written here and it is documented on the Internet in newspapers, grand jury reports, and senator’s websites.

If Linda Kelly does not take action, these people will go down together.

She better calls Fina in and put his feet to the fire or asks for Bi-
Partisan Investigative Committee that can resolve these issues and reimbursements to the Tax Coffers all bonuses, if she thinks she can prosecute herself out this mess, she will end up being prosecuted.

I could not believe what I read until I read it on other verified websites, this is a bigger scandal than anyone knows and no way will it be covered up if just one journalist and investigators starts a true investigation by a Federal Grand Jury.

I think this Fina person is in serious trouble and Kelly right behind him if she goes along with what she must know today.

As for Sammy "Sign Signature" Smith, Joey "Senate Aides" Scarnati and Dominic "The Don" Pileggi, you guys have to answer more questions under oath, not in the newspapers.

No $2.5 Million Tax Dollars being spent now can protect you anymore.

"Harrisburg We Have A Problem"

Cover-ups never work and it would be better to haven open hearing and end it before it ends other innocent people careers by way of corruption approved by Frank Fina Non-Existence Investigation and now Attorney General Kelly Complicity.

Hearing with Immunity in return for forfeiture of bonuses and investigative prorated cost and the dismissal of Frank Fina in charge will save the Commonwealth trust with the people and will be doing the right thing.

If not, some within your ranks, hurt by those in the leadership ranks, have to seek out the truth that will come back after being crushed into the earth by Fina and Kelly under Corbett's Campaign Aides.

Politicians, staffers, and prosecutors admitting mistakes in public is not a crime under immunity with the purpose to restore trust within the citizens, taxpayers and voters, whose money was misused by everyone on Capitol Hill that just got sloppy, that can be repaired in the next election.

The American people love anyone that has fallen and admits mistakes but comeback even harder not to do it again, BUT LYING, DOING A COVER UP AND GOING AFTER JUST FEW WHEN CRIMES WERE VIOLATED BY THE MANY IS THE KIND OF INJUSTICE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEVER FORGIVE ONCE EXPOSED.

Do the right thing, quit wasting money on selective prosecutions, that will get you selective prosecuted in the end too.

Go after the truth, correct the mistakes, make the bonuses go back to treasury, and put this mess behind all or I can see it lasting another 5 years.

Anonymous said...

The Private Investigator that Mike Long hired and paid by the state senate Mr. Harper, has worked on numerous Republican campaigns for years according to official senate records.

So that means none of his files, computers, or records archive in the senate file rooms or anywhere are free from any investigations since paid for by state funds for campaign purposes of Operation Research for the Republicans, and his testimony before any investigator or Grand Jury is not Privileged.

If Frank Fina never went after these Harper Senate Files, right there could be a charge of Obstruction of Justice on Frank Fina himself, it is clear he knew about them, but flew by forgeting them somehow.

This question stands on its own and Frank Fina should be asked it by not just the Media, but by AG Kelly, State Senate Leadership "NOW", unless they do not care because they are covering it up.

Additionally, since Crompton was a lawyer at the time of the illegal pay raise and bonuses, his actions come under the Professional Code Of Attorney Disciplinary Conduct Board and he is held to a higher standard of avoiding the Appearance of Impropriety a far stricter standard than the Ethics Commission Rules.

Crompton should at least lose his Bar License for hiring a Private Investigatror with State Funds to intimidate Local and State Candidates from running for Office instead of being rewarded by Pennsylvania Senate Pro-Tempore Joe Scarnati.

This alone makes it a Federal Offense under Voters Act passed by US Congress and enforced by Federal Jurisdiction.

Formal charges from both organizations would prevent them from changing stories when a real investigation begins on the senate.

Frank Fina is not protected here either from the Discipline Conduct Board or Ethics Commission, and he cannot hide from Prosecution Misconduct Charges, with his Prosecution Immunity either.

In any event, even there is no way to avoid the conclusion that a cover up is taking place once you read about the Documents and Hiring of Harper by these Tricky Dicks.

Why Frank Fina refused to subpoena Harper or grab his records, BY THE WAY, I recall Pennsylvania Senate Pro-Tempore Joe Scarnati bragging they have cooperated fully and have not destroyed any records since these investigations were announced 6 years ago.

So, that means if any records have been destroyed and since PI Harper was paid by the senate, there is an Obstruction of Justice Charge just waiting to happen if Frank Fina ever gets around to it?

Pennsylvania Senate Pro-Tempore Joe Scarnati has to be more cooperative now, and without wasting our Tax Dollars on his protection of a cover up by hiring lawyers paid by the taxpayers anymore.

What I canot understand, is that more information and published reports are available about the storied relationship of Mike Long, Todd Nyquist, and Drew Crompton as well as Joe Scarnati in cahoots with Ron Harper, Jr. assignments on attacking Republican Candidate challengers.

Senator John Eichelberger posted such information on his Website to Please contact his campaign Executive Director, Jason High for more details and links to the Senate Paid Harper Reports.

Right there is more evidence for Frank Fina to go after right now.

If Frank Fina is as honest and straight as he claims to follow the evidence as well as prosecute anyone that violates the criminal code....

FINA CAN PROVE IT BY RAIDING THE SENATE OFFICES, HARPER'S OFFICE, AND LONG, NYQUIST & ASSOCIATES OOFICES AND REMOVE THEIR COMPUTERS, BOXES OF FILES, AND GO TO THEIR HOMES AND REMOVE THE HOME COMPUTERS TOO.

Remember, the FEDS caught Fumo when his Staffers used his Home Computer to remove Senate Files.

WHY CAN'T Frank Fina figured that out right ON HIS OWN AND START AN INVESTIGATION, after we all read it in the papers.

BUT OF COURSE FRANKY IS STILL BE MUFFED BY HIS OWN SILENT INVESTIGATION THAT HAS NEVER HAPPEN, OR AM I WRONG.

Anonymous said...

WHO IS RONALD HARPER JR.?

WHY DID THE REPUBLICAN SENATE CAUCUS HIRE HIM??

WHY DID DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL FRANK FINA NEVER INVESTIGATE HIS ROLE IN BONUS GATE INTIMIDATION OF SENATE CANDIDATES???

HOW MUCH DOES MIKE LONG, TODD NYQUIST, AND DREW CROMPTON WORK WITH HIM ON REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN WHEN THEY WERE EMPLOY BY THE SENATE?

HERE ARE SOME WEBSITES FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL TO KELLY TO FOLLOW AND QUESTION FRANK FINA WHY HE NEVER PURSUED SENATE HIRING OF RONALD HARPER, JR.

I. EVIDENCE EXHIBIT A THAT FRANK FINA COULD NOT FIND?

EXHIBIT "A": JIM CAWLEY BEING SMEARED:

http://smartretorts.blogspot.com/2010/04/ron-harper-jr-
ittruedat.html

QUOTE ON WEBSITE:
"Ronald P. Harper Jr. (above) has apparently been harassing candidate for Lietenant Governor of Pennsylvania Jim Cawley. He thought he was incognito until this blog revealed who he was! Refer to this Pa2010.com article to see he thought he was being sneaky."


II. EXHIBIT EVIDENCE "B" FRANK FINA NEVER INVESTIGATED:

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."

III. EXHIBIT "C":
NEWSLANC WEBSITE:

http://newslanc.com/2009/07/29/ron-harper-jr-vigilante-activist/

IF Frank Fina is following the evidence the Republican Senate Caucus should raided by Noon tomorrow according to the boasting of the practices of Attorney General Chief Of Public Corruption Unit Mr. Frank Fina looking for anyone that violates the criminal code.

Anonymous said...

Where is our Democrat Leadership in both the house and senate? They should be before the press on a daily basis calling for republican investigations as well as for accountability from Gov. Corbett, his former staff investigators, and now A.G. Kelly. Why are they just letting the Republicans keep saying how good they are when the Republican actions prove how BAD the Republicans are. And what about all these reformers that got elected this last few cycles - why aren't they calling a fair and unbiased investigation? Where is Rep. Reese, Rep. Kreiger, Rep. Evankovich & Rep. Dumbar? I'll give you the answer - they are all afraid of retaliation from "Adolph" Turzai and "Squeaker" Smith.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said... Where is our Democrat Leadership in both the house and senate? They should be before the press on a daily basis calling for republican investigations as well as for accountability from Gov. Corbett, his former staff investigators, and now A.G. Kelly.
....Why are they just letting the Republicans keep saying how good they are when the Republican actions prove how BAD the Republicans are?
....And what about all reformers that got elected this last few cycles - why aren't they calling a fair and unbiased investigation?
......Where is Rep. Reese, Rep. Kreiger, Rep. Evankovich & Rep. Dumbar? I'll give you the answer - they are all afraid of retaliation from "Adolph" Turzai and "Squeaker" Smith. September 15, 2011 11:24 PM

Some answers if I may speculate:

1. REED SMITH RUNS THE DEMOCRATS:

Democratic Leader Frank Dermody wife works for the biggest and most powerful Republican Law Firm in Pennsylvania....REED SMITH...They were mention in the VEON GRAND JURY REPORT ON ORGANIZING THE ATTACKS ON NADER'S CANDIDACY PETITIONS....But never charged nor investigated by Frank Fina?

I think Dermody is happy she is paid a bigger salary since he became Leader of the Democrats replacing Toad Eachus that ran the illegal bonus campaigns and was never charged with because Senator Casey Brother protected him.

Frank prefers to go vacations paid for by his wife nowadays, if he ever spoke up abbout the Republican Corruption in the AG Office, Senate, or Caucuses, he would be cut off like Joe Gillis in SUNSET BLVD Norma Desmond, played Joe Kennedy's Mistress Gloria Swanson.

Dermody's silence is more deafing because DAG Anthony Krastek is his best friend, and the OAG is the SS Wing of the GOP taking out effective Democrats.

Just speculation only an investigation will find the real and total truth.

2. REFORMER HAVE BEEN CONFORMED:

Those so-called Reformers such as Reese, Kreiger, Evankovich, Vogel, and Christina.

Funny we have not heard from Christiana or Vogel maybe these entire Reformer have been silence by the Republican Whip and I ain't talking Jane Orie in Boots.

Jane, Jannie, and Joanny Orie Melvin, all have their own torture Corbett upon her for not being his type of Elsie Hillman Moderate Republican, the GOP demands.

By the way, notice how Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Comments on Election Night about reforming the courts have been silence too.

Here is a reminder....."In a telephone interview, Melvin said she was humbled by the opportunity to serve, and believed her message of "reform, transparency and accountability that I want to bring to the judicial branch" carried the day in a year where the state was rocked by a major court scandal in Luzerne County.

I think the people of Pennsylvania are hungry to see reform in the courts," said Melvin, who gained statewide notice four years ago when she refused the controversial pay raise passed by the Legislature for all judges and state elected officials."

Sammy Smith said he was misled, but never went before a Grand Jury, Frank Fina made sure that did not happen.

As for "Adolph" Turzai he only wants the LCB Stores to be destroyed like Eliot Ness did the Breweries, until Eliot Ness ended up a Drunk later in life, (True Story Check It Out And Only His Ex-Wife Benefited From The Stories Made Up About By Lucy & Desi in the "Untouchables".)

Hypocrisy knows no bounds for Republicans but people like Turzai are covering a multitude of sins.

Meanwhile Veon and Cott sit in jail for what Republicans senate leaders cover up with the help of Frank Fina as the Republican Water Kool Aid Boy, but not for much longer.

Anonymous said...

RUMOR DU JOUR
There’s yet another rumor afoot about GOP Harrisburg Puppet Masters wanting to head of GOP State Senator Elder Vogel Jr. to make room for, you guessed it, a run by state Representative Jim Christiana.

Elder Vogel Jr is too Conservative for the “Convicted Computer Contractor “Bob Asher” Rat Pack of Republican Moderates” that have to put up with Cawley, Eichelberger and Vogel so far.

The Boy Wonder CHRISTiana has been ordained to replace the fiery John Baptists type Vogel that will lose his Head after Senior Deputy Attorney General Anthony J. Krastek dressed in Dragged lost the Sean Ramaley Trial due to some very conscious Republican Jurors that saw through Krastek poor investigation and even poorer truth at the trial.

These powered Republican’s’ in the Harrisburg want Vogel out and Christiana in,” our Tattling Tipster wrote. Looks like Elder needs to put on his dairy farming boots because the you-know-what is starting to fly, and when Frank Fina Bonus gate cover up fan starts to spread manure all over the senate, well, smelling good is not a Republican trait.

No Tea Bags For Republicans.

Anonymous said...

Yet, is typical of the Republican Party who is in charge to accuse members of the opposing party of shady and illegal activities but cause any investigation of them to wait to avoid bringing out 'GOP own garbage' until there is new cover over it.

These cover up artists should have put all the scumbags out there for public scrutiny at one time. Corbett, Smith, Scarnati, Turzai, and Pleggi do not deserve to be in charge of any public office-vote him out to give a real message to politicians who put their interests first and not that of the public.

Oh, isn't that special, no charges will be filed against the Senate Republicans, how convenient for Corbett and his crooked GOP buddies.

Either Corbett is playing politics with prosecutions or he is too busy fighting on the side of those who want to spread processed human feces on the land in Pennsylvania, either way Corbett is leaving a big brown stain on his legacy.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said... What kind of deal did Sam Smith with or for Frank Fina to avoid investigating Smith? Sam Smith is person of interest as far as the public is concern. September 15, 2011 6:53 AM


This is outrageous the senate aides that not only caused the illegal pay raise, and took the largest bonuses for their dirty pockets, are now advising the current senate leadership!!!!

And making millions lobbying before them!!!!!

As Frank Fina suppresses any investigation on them and their political boss bigwigs that have escape the rape of taxpayers coffers?

Frank Fina is not a friend to Pennsylvanians and his wife, kids, and parents should be ashamed of his duplicity in Bonusgate hhaving our senate robbing our families, children and citizens of money that should go back to our treasury.

Anonymous said...

EICHELBERGER TRUTH SQUAD ALERT WEBSITE ON RON HARPER JR. AND BONUSGATE VIOLATIONS

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.

The I Like Eich Campaign will not be intimidated by the deplorable, yet anticipated tactics of Bob Jubelirer. John Eichelberger will not be swayed from running a strong campaign based on the issues and the 31-year liberal voting record of Senator Jubelirer

More information and published reports are available about the storied relationship of Senator Jubelirer and Ron Harper, Jr. Please contact our campaign Executive Director, Jason High for more details and links to the reports.


SOURCE ON THE INTERNET:
http://fixpa.wikia.com/wiki/John_Eichelberger

Now maybe Frank Fina can follow the evidence in the senate on how senate aides hired Private Investigator to attack other candidates.

If that is not using state money on state time for campaigns than what is and why has Frank Fina and Tom Corbett ignored it 6 years ago?

Anonymous said...

The question isn't who is going to let Frank Fina continue this cover of the senate bonus campaign contributions; it's who is going to stop Frank Fina from covering it up by not investigating the senate campaign aides that were working on state time and got bonuses too?"

We know one thing only, Frank Fina is not following the evidence trail and not investigating the senate leadership.

Anonymous said...

Let me repeat something I said once before on this blog...

I work in the Senate. I have been here since the early 90's, and EVERYONE knew that Mike Long was a political operative. He worked on campaigns as a general rule, not an exception. He took checks, set up fundraisers, solicited money, directed people to various field campaigns, etc. That is what he did for a living!
The problem is, it's illegal.
Well, we all know it's been happening in here for many years in both the House and Senate (Dems and Repubs)
Suddenly Corbett decides to clean the mess up, but he missed the single biggest player of them all!
Just walk through the halls of the Capitol and take a survey. I bet Mike Long is the most common answer when asked "Who did the most blatant campaign related work in the halls of this building?"

So, after doing all that and not being prosecuted, he goes on to work on the Corbett for Governor campaign and is now raking in tons of money as a GOP strategist/consultant/fundraising guru.

Unreal. It's not even hard to find these facts. If I work here and know it, and everyone in here knows it, how is it possible the AG doesn't know it?

It's not possible. What is possible is that the former AG and current Governor used his authority as PA's top prosecuter to bring down only the people in his way, not the ones helping him get elected.
Now he's in the big office and thinks he can just wash his hands of it all.

It's wrong, and it should be addressed.

PRESS - WHERE ARE YOU? YOU CAN HELP DRIVE THIS INVESTIGATION! DO YOUR JOB!!!

Anonymous said...

LONG NYQUIST ASSOCIATES INC.

1. BEST POLITICAL FRIEND:

FRANK FINA

2. FACES AND RELATIVES:
http://longnyquist.com/team.shtml

NOTICE HOW MANY WORKED IN THE SENATE ON CAMPAIGNS AND OTHER CAMPAIGNS FOR YEARS AND TOOK LEAVES OF ABSENCES AND FRANK FINA NEVER INVESTIGATED ANY OF THEM AND GOT THE BIGGEST BONUSES???

BUT FRANK FINA AND NOW LINDA KELLY PROTECTS THEM.

Michael S. Long, Partner
Mike is the co-founder of Long, Nyquist & Associates and is one of "Pennsylvania's Ten Most Influential People" according to the January, 2010 issue of Politics magazine, a national publication. He has been universally recognized as the architect of the Republican dominance of the Pennsylvania State Senate. In addition to the Politics Magazine article, Mr. Long is consistently rated by various news sources as one of the most influential figures in the Pennsylvania political process.

For 23 years, Long served as Majority Staff Administrator to the President Pro Tempore - the most senior staff position in the Senate. In this capacity, he directed all staff and administration functions, as well as being actively involved in the legislative process.

After helping the current President Pro Tempore, Joseph B. Scarnati to organize his office, Long founded a government relations firm on January 1, 2007. In November 2009, he partnered with Todd Nyquist to form Long, Nyquist & Associates.

Mr. Long graduated from Millersville University with a B.A. in Political Science and received a Master's of Science degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University.

Todd R. Nyquist, Partner

In January of 2010, Politics magazine named him one of the top influencers in the "opinion of people who matter" in Pennsylvania. A force to be reckoned with in Pennsylvania’s legislative and political arenas, Todd co-founded Long, Nyquist & Associates with Mike Long in 2009.

Prior to co-founding LN&A, Mr. Nyquist previously served as the long-time chief-of-staff, political advisor, and alter ego to President Pro Tempore & Lieutenant Governor Joe Scarnati. Instrumental in the election of 30 Republican Members of the Senate, Todd forges relationships by winning in "the arena".

Todd was actively engaged in all legislative, budgetary and personnel matters for the Senate Republican Caucus as the Majority Staff Administrator – the most senior staff position in the Senate. His knowledge of the political landscape and understanding of the relationship between policy and politics has led to numerous client victories and is considered by his peers to be unparalleled.

Mr. Nyquist graduated from Clarion University with a B. S. in Finance.

Josh Wilson, Associate
From the state capitol to statewide political campaigns, Josh Wilson brings a decade's worth of governmental and political experience to the firm.

After earning a degree in education from Millersville University, Mr. Wilson joined the staff of Senator Jeff Piccola, R-Dauphin, serving the senator as a district and legislative aide. As a member of the senator's staff, Josh worked extensively in the areas of transportation, local government, education and environmental protection.

As floor assistant to the Majority Whip, Josh gained valuable, firsthand insight into the legislative machinations of the State Senate.

After his service in the Senate, Josh spent two years serving as Political and Communications Director at the Republican State Committee of PA. Subsequently, he worked for Montgomery County Commissioner Chairman Jim Matthews and managed Justice Tom Saylor's successful bipartisan re-election to the PA Supreme Court. Josh has been active in countless local elections and served as an elected Susquehanna Township Commissioner for 5 years and was past-President of the Susquehanna Township Lions Club.

Josh was recognized for his governmental and political achievements by the Harrisburg Patriot-News as one of the region's top 20 young professionals.

Anonymous said...

LONG NYQUIST ASSOCIATES INC.

1. BEST POLITICAL FRIEND:

FRANK FINA

2. FACES AND RELATIVES:
http://longnyquist.com/team.shtml

NOTICE HOW MANY WORKED IN THE SENATE ON CAMPAIGNS AND OTHER CAMPAIGNS FOR YEARS AND TOOK LEAVES OF ABSENCES AND FRANK FINA NEVER INVESTIGATED ANY OF THEM AND GOT THE BIGGEST BONUSES???

BUT FRANK FINA AND NOW LINDA KELLY PROTECTS THEM.

Noel Nyquist, Associate
Noel got her start as a legislative assistant to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and quickly gained a world of experience into the matters surrounding state government as an economic development and state grants specialist. She joined the staff of Senator Don White, where she was promoted to Executive Director of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

In 2007, Ms. Nyquist became engaged in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, assisting in the development of key legislation pertaining to the oversight of the proposed merger between Highmark, Inc. and Independence Blue Cross, as well as legislation to extend the MCARE program which provides a financial safety net to help Pennsylvania's healthcare providers cover their medical malpractice insurance costs.

In Senator White's absence, Burch was the designee on the PENNVEST Board, which provides grants and low-interest loans to fund sewer, storm water and drinking water projects through the Commonwealth.

Ms. Nyquist is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a B.S. in Public Administration.

Christopher Latta, Associate
Chris Latta provides a unique combination of technical, committee and leadership qualifications to Long, Nyquist & Associates. As chief-of-staff to the Senate Appropriations Committee, he is widely credited with helping shepherd Pennsylvania through its most significant fiscal challenges in sixty years.

In 2003 Mr. Latta was appointed Chief-of-Staff / Executive Director of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, where he lead teams responsible for writing and negotiating the passage of Pennsylvania's Health Savings Account law, the fiscally sound expansion of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Interstate Insurance Compact law. During the 2005 - 2006 legislative session, Chris was tasked with writing a series of bills, introduced by Chairman Armstrong, designed to bring down health insurance / care costs in Pennsylvania. Those bills now form the core of the Senate Republican proposal on the issue.

In between his two stints with the Pennsylvania Senate, Chris served in the administration of Governor Tom Ridge and Governor Mark Schweiker. He was responsible for the launch of Pennsylvania's Tobacco Settlement Endowment, served on the Public School Employees Retirement System Board, and was a key member of the executive team overseeing the largest IT expansion in state government in a generation.

Because of the nature of his staff assignments, he has built close relationships with Members and staff in all four legislative caucuses, the Governor's office, and the press.

Mr. Latta earned his B.A. degree in political science and history from Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA and his M.B.A from the Pennsylvania State University.

Bill Parker, Associate
Bill Parker has spent more than two decades advocating on behalf of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He is a co-founder of the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities and is a member of several boards engaged in charitable work on behalf of the IDD community.

Instrumental in obtaining $100 million in Federal research funds benefiting Fragile X Syndrome and Autism, he has also testified in front of Congress, worked with the Centers for Disease Control in creating educational programs, and authored the Special Needs Savings Accounts legislation currently pending in Congress.

Anonymous said...

LONG NYQUIST ASSOCIATES INC.

1. BEST POLITICAL FRIEND:

FRANK FINA

2. FACES AND RELATIVES:
http://longnyquist.com/team.shtml

NOTICE HOW MANY WORKED IN THE SENATE ON CAMPAIGNS AND OTHER CAMPAIGNS FOR YEARS AND TOOK LEAVES OF ABSENCES AND FRANK FINA NEVER INVESTIGATED ANY OF THEM AND GOT THE BIGGEST BONUSES???

BUT FRANK FINA AND NOW LINDA KELLY PROTECTS THEM.

3. CLIENTS SERVED IN FRONT OF REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP AFTER ELECTING THAT LEADERSHIP ON STATE TIME ON CAMPAIGNS FRANK FINA WILL NOT INVESTIGATE:

http://longnyquist.com/clients.shtml

21st Century Appraisals, Inc.

Advanced Waste Services, Inc.

Allegheny Energy

All Votes Matter

Altria Client Services

Bishop McDevitt High School

Bridgeway Capital

Center for Autism and

Developmental Disabilities

Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future

Citizens Public Adjusters, Inc.

Comcast

Community First Fund

Commonwealth License Beverage Association

Community Services Group

Conewago Enterprises, Inc.

Direct Energy Services, LLC

The EADS Group

First Capital Equities, Inc.

Friendship Community

Greater Johnstown Regional
Partnership

Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Hart Resource Technologies, Inc.

Highmark, Inc.

Hospital & Healthsystem
Association of Pennsylvania

Hospital Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania

H.W. Lochner, Inc.

InVision Human Services

The Janus School

Keystone Biofuels

• Keystone State Railroad Association

• Laser Northeast Gathering Company, LLC

• Las Vegas Sands

• Lehigh Valley Hospital & Health Network

• McCutcheon Enterprises, Inc.

• Messiah College

• Navarro & Wright Consulting Engineers, Inc.

• New Tech Wind, Inc.

• NRG Controls, Inc.

• Passavant Memorial Homes Family of Services

• Pennsylvania Brine Treatment, Inc.

• Pennsylvania General Energy

• Pennsylvania Ignition Interlock Providers Association

• Pennsylvania Zoological Council

• Penn-Mar Organization, Inc.

• Peoples Natural Gas

• Perdue

• Philhaven

• The Progress Fund

• Reinvestment Fund of Philadelphia

• Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg

• Salisbury Management Incorporated

• Shell Oil Company

• Solar Alliance

• Stevens & Lee

• Supportive Concepts for Families, Inc.

• Talisman Energy USA

• Tesmec USA, Inc

• Visa Inc.

Anonymous said...

Hmmmnnn.interesting listing?

I wonder how Messiah College,
Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, and Bishop McDevitt High School squares with the moral code rules using a Republican Known for dirty tricks to like Mike Long and Todd Nyquist hiring Private Investigators to go after Conservative Republican Candidates?

I wonder if someone or some social justice group should check the background of the management, outside counsel, and Board of Directors against the Campaign Donation Listings for direct connection to Mike Long and Todd Nyquist accepting Checks while on state time?

This would be an interesting report to send to the US Attorneys since Linda Kelly and Frank Fina are refusing to investigate these senate aides that took the largest state bonuses, state severance packages, and have never been investigated by our Corruption Unit?

Do you think these bastions of high moral ground will keep their association with Long Nyquists Syndicate?

We already know Sam Smith, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson County, and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware County, offices talk to them every day.

Yet, the Attorney General Linda Kelly Corruption Unit Chef Frank Fina* cannot even start an investigation on them.

The place to start is to send investigators to these businesses and non-profits and ask them did they ever give checks to Mike Long, Todd Nyquist, and Drew Crompton at the Capitol before 5 PM from 2002 to 2006?

Once they are on the record, then check the campaign records and put them before a Grand jury.

Lying to an Investigator is Obstruction of Justice.

Meanwhile, social groups are checking the backgrounds of these outstanding citizens looking for Bob Asher's record on file with the State Police.

*~Chef Frank Fina new title, since he cooks and covers the pots at the OAG more than investigates the state senate, and now Linda Kelly plate is full too, if she lets it continue.

Anonymous said...

How can these organization of faith and religious calling permit Mike Veon and Brett Cott sit in a jail for doing what Mike Long, Todd Nyquist, and Drew Crompton did the same things?

Social Justice demands them to speak out and stand up this travesty of justice or turn in Long, Nyquist, and Crompton and their Bosses when they gave them checks on state time for campaigning.

Shame on their Moral Turpitude of conduct that is considered contrary to community standards of justice, honesty or good morals.

Either the senate and these theifs of state bonuses get investigated or Frank Fina should be investigated for Obstruction of Justice.

Meanwhile these organizations should consider other representation in Harrisburg and be called in the Media for choosing and keeping these people that are suppose to be under investigation.

After all, remember Tom Corbett boast in December 2007 he allowed eventual defendant Brian Preski to host a fund-raiser for him. Even though he supposedly had been investigating all four caucuses since February 2007, "we didn't have all the facts in front of us.", said Corbett.

Well, Frank Fina you have had the facts before you since 2008 at the latest, now go get Long, Crompton, and Nyquist!

Anonymous said...

Maybe Long and Nyquist can get the Republicans to pass Gay Marriages in Pennsylvania and tell their clients to back off from attacking it.

The same Conservative Republicans are going to love these two guys, just imagine they went after Conservative Republicans as Candidates, digging up dirt on them and their families, now they are the most powerful lobbyists in Harrisburg.

Free from the reach of AG Kelly and protected by good old boy Frank Fina.

Anonymous said...

When Frank Fina's comes investigating around,

Then you better get down on the ground.

If you ever find yourself near Frank Fina,

Get down on your knees.

Down at the other end of the scale,

Mike Veon is still doing time in jail,

For even though he's in with the guards,

A lifetime in prison seems quite on the cards.

But if true justice analyis of the position is right,

At the end of the tunnel is a glimmer of light,

For all of a sudden indescribable destruction of Republican Senate Caucus things,

Have shattered the sleep of both Linda Kelly and US Attorneys.

Strange as it seems,there's been a run of crazy prosecutions,

And a US Attorney who can interpret could go far,

Could become a star!!!!