Since Manzo was fired from state government five years ago, and most major felonies carry a five-year statute of limitations, we view the prosecutors' claims with skepticism. Most likely, their claims are simply a ploy to head off criticism of Manzo's sentence as too lenient.
If Tweets from the courtroom are to be believed, little emphasis was placed on Manzo's "star" testimony in the 2010 trial of Mike Veon and three staffers. Manzo's testimony in that case was so riddled with inconsistencies that the OAG temporarily became a laughingstock in the Dauphin County legal community. Lawyers handling other cases in the courthouse made time to stop by Judge Lewis' courtroom to see for themselves whether the rumors of prosecutorial bungling were true.
Ironically, Manzo testified in that trial that he'd pleaded guilty because "I wanted to stop having this engulf my entire life" Now, 3½ years after that plea, he's still engulfed, and will be for another seven years. Copping a plea probably seemed at the time like an easy way out. Now he'll spend more than a year in prison (probably 13.5 months according to Pennsylvania's Recidivism Risk Reduction Incentive guidelines) and most of the following six years on parole or probation. Rumors have flown since Manzo's October 2008 preliminary hearing testimony (when he let slip that his unindicted former boss, H. William DeWeese, was complicit in the bonus scheme) that Manzo had been promised no jail time in exchange for his cooperation.
It was easy to believe, as no one could imagine why else Manzo would agree to plead guilty to 10 felony charges. No other defendant pleaded to as many counts, and of the defendants who went to trial, only Mike Veon - who originally faced more than 50 charges - was convicted of as many.
Former House Speaker John Perzel was permitted to plead to only eight counts. And though the "Computergate" case dwarfed "Bonusgate" in size and scope, Perzel will be off parole before Manzo is.
Hard to see how the guy who testified Bonusgatev was his idea, who lied to Corbett (why no obstruction charge?), who lied on the stand in court, who hired his unqualified mistress for a no work job that earned her a bonus (we know what that was for) and that he continued to earn good money as a lobbyist for 4 years after his arrest - this seems a short sentence. If it's just 13.5 of incarceration, not too tough, really.
ReplyDeleteSo, like Perzel, the OAG says Manzo is giving valuable assistance on as yet undisclosed new cases. You'd have to think Manzo who be testifying on gaming, or politics in other House Dems offices. And Perzel gaming, orpolitics in other House R offices, or in Philly, especially Philly Court, the Delaware River Port Authority or Philly Parking Authority, where Perzel had so much sway.
ReplyDeleteBut when? As Casablanca points out, the statute of limitations are running on the things these guys could have been involved in.
Why would Cott (3 counts) get more time than Manzo?
ReplyDeleteSo Manzo says he's disappointed others haven't taken responsibility for their actions, but instead blamed it on others or the culture. He says DeWeese is a good example, but he's not alone.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. DeWeese used millions of state dollars and literally thousands of state employees hours for no puyrpose other than trying to throw anyone else he could under the bus. DeWeese said the day his best friend Veon was indicted was "the best day" of his life. If there is justice that arrogant, self important, remorseless prick DeWeese will get 6 years.
Hard to reconcile the sentences so far.
ReplyDeleteThese court-pressured apologies make my skin crawl.
ReplyDeleteAkin to the old Stalinist show trials, the government exacts pressures behind the scene to get witnesses and defendents to say exactly what they want them to say.
The math is off . Perzel with 30 to 60 months will not be paroled before Manzo with an 18 to 48 month sentence . And they both will benefit from RRRI And there is a longer statute of limitations for elected officials . There is plenty of time left .
ReplyDeletePerzel with a 30 to 60 month sentence will not be paroled before Manzo with an 18 to 48 month sentence . And they both will benefit from RRRI .
ReplyDeleteWhen will the Senate be held accountable?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 9:43 and 9:45 - You are forgetting that Manzo was sentenced to 36 months probation on top of his 18-to-48-month prison sentence. He will be under state supervision long after Perzel is a free man.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 10:54 - Are you serious? It's been five years. Even if the OAG somehow could convince the public that an arrest after all this time was anything other than a political stunt, the statute of limitations has run out on anything that happened before the investigation began. Then again, Jane Orie continued her shenanigans long after the rest of the legislature was scared straight, so who knows what went on over there.
What ever happened to Todd Eachus who received a target letter, then walked away scott free? Unbelieveable.
ReplyDeleteWant a Pulitizer? Here is an easy story to write: whatever happened to the 50 or so legislative staffers implicated in bonusgate? How many lost their bonuses (hint: 0). How many were fired or demoted after it came out they broke laws, campaigned on state time, and did some other inapopropriate and kinky things (hint: 0). How many are still serving in high positions with promotions and higher salaries (hint: big number). Many of these people were more deeply involved than those charged and imprisoned.
ReplyDeleteWhy weren't there any charges brought against that big toothed tool Jeb Wagner?
ReplyDelete