The pundits agree that Sean Ramaley's aquittal is a blow to Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Corbett's campaign.
When criminal prosecutions carry this much political weight, it's kind of a hint that they're - y'know - political. If there are crimes to be prosecuted, it seems like a no-brainer that they should be prosecuted by someone who doesn't have quite so much personally to gain or lose by their outcomes.
But as long as everyone wants to pretend that criminal prosecutions are just another tool in the political toolbox, like robocalls and yard signs, let's get a few things straight:
Even if one concedes that plea bargains count as "wins," Corbett's score isn't 5-1, it's more like 5-2.5. That is, if charges against Rachel Manzo are to be withdrawn in exchange for her husband's guilty plea, as expected. It's hard to imagine that Corbett plans to prosecute Todd Eachus without the testimony of his top aide, but it's also hard to believe he wouldn't have a deal with Rachel locked down before proceeding with Eachus' indictment. On the third hand, it's even harder to believe Mike Manzo would have agreed to such an absurd plea unless withdrawal of his wife's charges were thrown into the bargain. So, we're tentatively awarding Corbett a loss until further notice.
We're also deducting a half-point for the dismissal of all charges related to the Beaver Initiative for Growth. If Corbett hadn't sought a do-over in front of a politically-friendly Republican magistrate, BIG would be a solid loss - and may yet be. Even if Corbett somehow manages convictions in the teetering case, we're afraid he'll never gain full points because he failed to refile all the original charges.
We don't suppose it's worthwhile to point out that these "points" represent actual human beings, is it? Yeah, we figured not.
Meanwhile, what's with Corbett's excuse that his own case was "weak?" That's a defense? Close scrutiny might beg the question: if it was a weak case, why'd you bring it? Then again, anyone paying attention already knows: Ramaley was poised to win a seat in the state senate. The seat went to a Republican after Ramaley withdrew. The case was a success long before the jury deliberated.
Is there no limit to the political machinations Pennsylvania will tolerate from its top law enforcement officer?
52 comments:
Our spies at the New York Pennsylvania Society are reporting that AG Corbett attempts to raise $5,000 per person were not going so well and many refused or stayed away.
Fear that he is failing after the Ramaley Verdicts have his Candidacy into tailspins.
Gerlach may actually overtake Corbett, since he is talking about issues not going after investigations from a Grand Jury that can indict anyone for anything, but proving a conviction is entire different manner.
As one Juror put it, the Trial looked like a Witch Hunt and a waste of taxpayer’s money.
Tony Krastek did a horrible a job, but he had a horrible case too.
This was all about denying Ramaley the Senator ship and putting a Republican in that Office, this is going to change too.
No one ever looked at Vogel’s Petitions last time!
Pa. politicians press the flesh in NYC
Republicans are confident their fortunes have turned
Monday, December 14, 2009
By Daniel Malloy, Post-Gazette Washington Bureau
NEW YORK -- The spirits of a few dozen Republicans were nearly as high as their location -- the 34th floor reception room of the Arent Fox law firm, offering a spectacular panorama of midtown Manhattan.
The $1,000-per-head Friday night fundraiser for Republican James Gerlach, a congressman from Chester County who is running for governor, was filled with confident talk as Republicans had a spring in their step at Pennsylvania Society Weekend, the yearly gathering of the state's political class.
Though they remain out of power in the Pennsylvania governor's mansion and in the U.S. Congress, Republicans have seen a terrible economy take its toll on Democrats in Harrisburg and Washington.
"People are very concerned and worried about fiscal issues," Mr. Gerlach said as his supporters hovered over finger foods. "We've got to get out there and talk to voters. I think they're willing to listen."
Society weekend was mostly a time for politicos to talk among themselves as hundreds of lawmakers, candidates, lobbyists and staffers gathered in New York for an annual rite that dates back to 1899. The centerpiece was Saturday night's black-tie Pennsylvania Society Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel, an event preceded and followed by a lengthy list of parties around town.
The major gubernatorial candidates all held receptions and circled around dozens of others shaking countless hands. U.S. Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey Jr. both dashed up to make appearances Saturday night despite having to be in Washington for votes Saturday and yesterday.
The races for governor and Senate were the most popular discussion topics, and in both cases Republicans boast candidates with strong chances. Attorney General Tom Corbett is a formidable contender to replace Gov. Ed Rendell, while former Congressman Pat Toomey is polling ahead of Mr. Specter -- who switched from Republican to Democrat in April and faces a tough primary fight from Rep. Joe Sestak, D-Delaware County.
Part of that comes from a nationwide swing of the political pendulum against Democrats, who took the White House and expanded their congressional margins in 2008. Controversial initiatives like health care reform and climate change policy have run into resistance and are far from making it to President Barack Obama's desk, and national unemployment above 10 percent has many voters upset with the Democrats' economic policies.
Republicans pointed to that dissatisfaction as part of the reason the GOP prevailed in six of seven statewide judge races this year in Pennsylvania, as well as governor's races in Virginia and New Jersey.
"The winds are changing," said Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Blair. "There was a gale-force wind in the face of Republicans last year. Now there's a breeze on our backs."
Mr. Shuster called Mr. Obama's economic rescue efforts a path to "European-style capitalism" of increased taxes and federal intervention.
Activists have gone much further, calling Mr. Obama a communist -- among other things -- at rallies that are part of the loosely knit tea party movement.
Joe Hoeffel, a Montgomery County Democrat running for governor, sees the phenomenon as an enthusiasm gap.
"Democrats are a little demoralized right now," he said as he left the Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association event at the opulent Metropolitan Club to head to the opera. "We have to re-engage the progressive wing of the party."
Allegheny County Council President Rich Fitzgerald, a Democrat in town to mingle and talk up county Executive Dan Onorato's gubernatorial bid, agreed that his party perhaps doesn't have the same momentum as a year ago. But he argued that the economy could have been worse and has shown signs of a rebound, so Democrats will be able to campaign on pocketbook issues in 2010.
"There was a lot of fear in this room last year," Mr. Fitzgerald said as he stood a few paces from the impressive sushi spread at law firm Buchanan, Ingersoll and Rooney's reception at the Waldorf.
"A lot of people have forgotten how close we came to disaster. There's a different feeling now -- that we're on the right track."
Mr. Fitzgerald also offered an important number as a Democratic counterargument to talk of a red 2010: There are 1.5 million more registered Democrats statewide than Republicans.
"And that's a nice lead to start with," he said.
Daniel Malloy can be reached at dmalloy@post-gazette.com or 202-445-9980. Follow him on Twitter at PG_in_DC.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09348/1020735-178.stm#ixzz0Ze1IkgQl
What happened to Matt Wright? Gib Armstrong? Didn't these ex-GOP house members have staffers state publicly they were asked to do campaign work during work hours? It seems clear now that Ramaley was picked out of because that effectively gave the GOP an extra Senate seat. Corbett does in fact seem to be prosecuting people selectively. Corbett backers respond "Habay!" Again, selective. Corbett went after Habay at the behest of Allegheny GOP powerbrokers, some say Santorum himself. John Eichelberger, Senator from Altoona, was investigated by COrbett at the behest of Bob Jubelirer. We see that Corbett is a purely political beast. Yes he indicted Perzel. But Perzel's seat is one the GOP was due to lose anyway. Let's see Corbett indict and indictable Republican in a swing district. Then you know he's not playing games. Right now, it looks like the man is playing games.
Financial filings to shed light on governor's race
By Peter Jackson
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, December 14, 2009
HARRISBURG — Symbolically and practically, the new year will signal an important change in the campaign for Pennsylvania governor.
After quietly soliciting cash and support, in some cases for the past year, the five Democrats and three Republicans vying for the state's highest office will have to publicly disclose their fundraising progress through the end of 2009.
The Feb. 1 reports — the first in a series that campaign committees must file throughout the year — will provide an early gauge of their strength and a glimpse at the individuals and groups financing them.
Next year will be intensely political, as Pennsylvanians select a successor to Gov. Ed Rendell and decide a hotly competitive contest for U.S. Senate along with campaigns for all of the state's 19 seats in the U.S. House and most seats in the Legislature.
All gubernatorial candidates are watching the bottom line and understand that the recession and competition from other campaigns for the same contributor's dollars may limit what they can raise.
"I like the momentum that we have, and I like where we're positioned at the end of the year," said Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, a Democrat. By the end of the year, "I'll be north of $6 million," he predicted.
State Attorney General Tom Corbett, a Shaler Republican whose ongoing probe into alleged corruption in the Legislature has given him an advantage in name recognition so far, expects his year-end total to be "close to $4 million," said his campaign manager, Brian Nutt.
Democrat Tom Knox, a Philadelphia businessman who pumped more than $10 million of his own money into an unsuccessful 2007 campaign for Philadelphia mayor, said he plans to begin serious fundraising next month. He estimated that he might spend around $10 million in the May primary alone.
State Auditor General Jack Wagner of Beechview, who was re-elected last year in his second statewide election victory, hopes to raise around $1 million. So does former U.S. Rep. Joe Hoeffel, a Montgomery County commissioner. Both are Democrats.
State Rep. Samuel Rohrer, a Berks County Republican who announced his candidacy less than a month ago, said he expects to take in about "25 cents on the dollar" of what the front-runner is able to raise.
"We're running a very, very grass-roots operation," Rohrer said.
Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty, a Democrat, and a spokesman for U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach, a Republican, declined to speculate about how much they expect to raise by the year's end.
Rendell, a Democrat who is barred by law from seeking a third term as governor, raised and spent more than $40 million in winning his first term in 2002 — setting a record that candidates from both parties said they don't expect to be broken in 2010.
Asked to estimate how much it would cost to win both the primary and general elections next year, no candidate guessed an amount larger than $25 million.
"No one's going to have $40 million this year," Hoeffel said. "It's a different time."
DAG Krastek has the burden of proof ... to show that Mr. Ramaley acted with criminal intent and intent to deceive and defraud,"
Ignelzi said during his opening statement. "What I'm going to suggest to you is, there's no evidence in that.
The evidence will establish that he went to work every day, he did his job and he did what he was told to do. He was a legislative assistant."
Secret Leases, Hidden Computer Changes, State Sponsor Motorcycle Trips At West Kept Quiet, Bonuses For Wives And Girlfriends, And Fast Rising Salaries Will Be Far Different To Defend Against Intentional Fraud Unlike Ramaley Case.
Great Caesar Ghost, Hold Onto Your Hats, Folks! The Democrats are not off the hook by a long shot according to sources in Harrisburg. There are rumors, innuendos, and reports that a top legislator will be indicted. Word has it that the Mike Veon Pre-Trial Motion Filings did not go unnoticed on the 16th floor at Strawberry Square. One target Todd Eachus, and his HDCC activity is being closely looked at according to the flies on the wall under the Greed Dome.
The folks at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review are relentless in their coverage of what could possibly turn out to be Harrisburg's biggest political scandal of the last 100 years.
Eachus chosen to vote for a raise in his salary 22 percent from $69,648 to $85,102, and defended the pay snatches and kept the cash. Mr. New Majority Leader Management never paid back the unconstitutional pay raise.
Todd Eachus is a protégée of arraign former Democratic Whip Mike Veon. Actually, it was Mr. New Management Eachus who paid off Veon's campaign debt. Eachus unilaterally without any HDCC member permission paid off Veon's $45,000.00 campaign using HDCC money. Eachus protected his unilateral decree to bail out Veon, telling the Media he would have done the same thing for any Democrat who lost.
In spite of that, two of Veon's former Democratic contemporaries from the Beaver of Beaver the same as Veon, had run for election debts not paid off by Eachus.
This includes Sean Ramaley owing $7,000 from his first campaign for the state House in 2004 helped by Veon. As well as, Vincent Biancucci owing $12,000 from his 2002 and 2004 races, as commonwealth campaign records show.
Now here is something more interesting, presume whose campaign Rachel Manzo a senior House Committee Aide and Eachus staff Member was employed while in alleged receipt of commonwealth taxpayer's monies? None other than Mike Veon under alleged HDCC leadership with Eachus.
Eachus’s quote was….."Mike's Contribution As A Leader To Our Collective Effort Meant A Lot To Us," said House Majority Policy Chairman Eachus of Luzerne County, who chairs the campaign committee.
Excluding the HDCC other 3 leaders, Joe Preston, Dan Frankel and Jennifer Mann. All of them expressed they had no knowledge of the two payments.
Mr. New Majority Leader Management next move was to hire Convicted Felon Senator Fumo’s former Dilworth Paxson law firm to conduct a management review of the HDC.
Nonetheless, Eachus never ordered a review for what Fumo earned and benefited Dilworth Paxson under Fumo’s employment?
Finally, Mr. New Majority Leader Management Eachus took $19,000.00 in campaign contributions from admitted felon Robert Powell, the disgraced attorney who used, “Kids for Cash” in a scheme to profit on the Private Juvenile Detention Center in Luzerne County. Now made famous in Michael Moore’s film entitled “Capitalism, showing how Judges incarcerated children on flimsy charges without the Right of Counsel and often extended short term sentences to added month to pay off the Bonds for the Detention Center! No Donation No Salvation!
Here is a list of Robert Powell's donations to Eachus, dates and amounts from www.campaignfinance.state.pa.us.
$400.00 September 15, 2000
$100.00 October 17 2000
$250.00 June 20, 2001
$150.00 May 16, 2002
$500.00 March 5, 2004
$500.00 May 5, 2004
$250.00 August 4, 2004
$750.00 August 4, 2004
$250.00 October 21, 2004
$10,000.00 March 29, 2005
$260.00 July 12, 2005
$340.00 June 12, 2006
$5,000.00 February 6, 2007
$250.00 June 27, 2008
Continued From Above.....
How does Todd Eachus expect the Citizens of the Commonwealth or the Grand Jury to believe that the Chairman of the HDCC did not know about all the HDC employees used on state time to elect the majority in the House, as he assumed the Majority Leadership?
Brad Bumsted reported in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review numerous Eachus's aides were questioned by the Office of the Attorney General.
“These same Aides to House Democratic Policy Chairman Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne County, were recently interviewed by the attorney general's investigators, according to the Insider, a statewide political newsletter. The topic was the 2006 election, the Insider said. Eachus could not be reached for comment on Friday. “
Eachus’s later answer was, "It Was The Partisan Way The Republican Campaign Committee Used The Issue To Exemplify The Partisan Investigation By The Attorney General," Eachus said.
How ironic, it is the politics of avarice, it is the politics of fear, and now the politics of friends turning on friends.
Right now Mike Veon’s Pre-trial motions may have done more to snag some others than anything the staffers are saying for the OAG.
This leaves some with the assumption that maybe Mike Veon is the Secret Sealed Immunity Witness, any thoughts?
More Bonusgate charges to come today
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
By Dennis B. Roddy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
HARRISBURG -- A statewide grand jury has returned another presentment in an ongoing investigation into corruption in the state general assembly and Attorney General Tom Corbett has scheduled a 1 p.m. press conference to discuss a new round of charges.
The presentment comes three weeks after word surfaced that three top Democrats, including two members of the House leadership, had received letters inviting them to appear before the jury. Such letters have traditionally preceded the filing of charges.
House members are in the Capitol today for a session with one key piece of legislation -- a bill to legalize table games at Pennsylvania casinos -- unresolved. On Monday night they passed a bill authorizing state subsidies to a number of so-called "non-preferred" institutions, including five state-related universities, six months after the state passed its budget deadline.
With a possible shakeup pending in the House leadership should any leaders be charged, the assembly could be thrown into chaos. Caucus rules require leaders to step down from their positions if they are criminally charged.
Among those who received letters are House majority leader Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, majority whip H. William DeWeese, D-Greene, and state revenue secretary Stephen H. Stetler, a former House member from York.
Dennis Roddy can be reached at droddy@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1965.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09349/1021097-455.stm#ixzz0Zlh87pEr
More Bonusgate charges to come today; Stetler resigns
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
By Dennis B. Roddy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
HARRISBURG -- State revenue Secretary Stephen H. Stetler resigned this morning after informing the governor's staff that he is being charged in connection with an ongoing criminal probe into corruption in the state legislature. A senior official in Gov. Ed Rendell's administration confirmed Mr. Stetler's resignation, which took place at 9 a.m.
Mr. Stetler, a former state House member from York, was implicated last summer by a former aide who said Mr. Stetler vetoed a plan to hire a private firm to conduct opposition research on candidates challenging incumbent Democrats in the House. Rather, the House Democratic Campaign Committee, which Mr. Stetler headed at the time, continued to use state-paid employees on taxpayer time.
A statewide grand jury returned the presentment in an ongoing investigation into corruption in the state general assembly and Attorney General Tom Corbett has scheduled a 1 p.m. press conference to discuss a new round of charges.
The presentment comes three weeks after word surfaced that three top Democrats, including two members of the House leadership, had received letters inviting them to appear before the jury. Such letters have traditionally preceded the filing of charges.
One of the leaders who received a letter from the grand jury, Todd Eachus, was in a closed-door meeting with staff members this morning.
Mr. Eachus this morning was cornered outside an elevator by reporters and asked about his status.
"I have no comment on this investigation," he said. "I have been consistent about that."
House Speaker Keith McCall took the same position.
"There's no comment until we know what's going on ourselves," he said.
Should any caucus leaders be required to step down from their leadership posts, caucus rules dictate that House Democrats must gather within two weeks to elect successors.
With the gambling expansion bill pending, one senior legislative staffer suggested that, should two members of the House leadership face charges, the legislature might not go into session today.
House members are in the Capitol today for a session with one key piece of legislation -- a bill to legalize table games at Pennsylvania casinos -- unresolved. On Monday night they passed a bill authorizing state subsidies to a number of so-called "non-preferred" institutions, including five state-related universities, six months after the state passed its budget deadline.
With a possible shakeup pending in the House leadership should any leaders be charged, the assembly could be thrown into chaos. Caucus rules require leaders to step down from their positions if they are criminally charged.
Another Democratic leader, majority whip H. William DeWeese of Greene, also received a letter from the attorney general.
More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09349/1021097-455.stm#ixzz0Zm7i36FD
DeWeese is charged in Bonusgate
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
By Dennis B. Roddy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
HARRISBURG -- A statewide grand jury has accused former House speaker H. William DeWeese, D-Greene, in a wide-ranging investigation into the use of state employees and resources in political campaigns, the Post-Gazette has learned.
Also accused in today's presentment is Revenue Secretary Stephen H. Stetler, who resigned his cabinet post this morning.
The charges do not implicate Mr. DeWeese in the payment of taxpayer funded bonuses to state employees who were used in campaigns in 2004 and 2006 -- the scandal that triggered a three-year probe by Attorney General Tom Corbett.
This summer, one former DeWeese staff member, Kevin Sidella, testified before the grand jury under a grant of immunity. Investigators believed Mr. Sidella was kept on the state payroll in Mr. DeWeese's Capitol office where his primary job consisted of making fund-raising calls and organizing Mr. DeWeese's re-election campaigns.
The grand jury's findings now mean that two former House speakers are under pending charges. Last month, the grand jury accused former Speaker John Perzel, R-Philadelphia, of misusing more than $10 million in state monies to purchase databases he used in Republican House contests.
Mr. DeWeese was absent from the floor today as the House was gaveled into session.
Mr. Stetler resigned this morning after informing the governor's staff that he is being charged in connection with an ongoing criminal probe into corruption in the state legislature. A senior official in Gov. Ed Rendell's administration confirmed Mr. Stetler's resignation, which took place at 9 a.m.
Mr. Stetler, a former state House member from York, was implicated last summer by a former aide who said Mr. Stetler vetoed a plan to hire a private firm to conduct opposition research on candidates challenging incumbent Democrats in the House. Rather, the House Democratic Campaign Committee, which Mr. Stetler headed at the time, continued to use state-paid employees on taxpayer time.
A statewide grand jury returned the presentment in an ongoing investigation into corruption in the state general assembly and Attorney General Tom Corbett has scheduled a 1 p.m. press conference to discuss a new round of charges.
Mr. Rendell, during a morning press conference on the state budget, said he was saddened by Mr. Stetler's departure from the cabinet but cautioned against drawing conclusions as to his former revenue secretary's guilt or innocence. He pointed to the recent acquittal of one of the early Bonusgate defendants, former state Rep. Sean Ramaley, D-Beaver.
"You cannot have a high-ranking public official function with a cloud like that over his head," Mr. Rendell said of Mr. Stetler.
Mr. Rendell said that the recent spate of prosecutions of high-profile politicians from former State Sen. Vincent Fumo, D-Philadelphia, to former House Speaker John Perzel, R-Philadelphia, has been dispiriting.
"As a human being, I feel sad, because many of these people were my friends," Mr. Rendell said.
The presentment comes three weeks after word surfaced that three top Democrats, including two members of the House leadership, had received letters inviting them to appear before the jury. Such letters have traditionally preceded the filing of charges.
One of the leaders who received a letter from the grand jury, House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, this morning was cornered outside an elevator by reporters and asked about his status.
"I have no comment on this investigation," he said. "I have been consistent about that."
House Speaker Keith McCall took the same position.
"There's no comment until we know what's going on ourselves," he said.
Should any caucus leaders be required to step down from their leadership posts, caucus rules dictate that House Democrats must gather within two weeks to elect successors.
With the gambling expansion bill pending, one senior legislative staffer suggested that, should two members of the House leadership face charges, the legislature might not go into session today.
House members are in the Capitol today for a session with one key piece of legislation -- a bill to legalize table games at Pennsylvania casinos -- unresolved. On Monday night they passed a bill authorizing state subsidies to a number of so-called "non-preferred" institutions, including five state-related universities, six months after the state passed its budget deadline.
With a possible shakeup pending in the House leadership should any leaders be charged, the assembly could be thrown into chaos. Caucus rules require leaders to step down from their positions if they are criminally charged.
Mr. DeWeese did not attend today's legislative session. In a scene fraught with irony, it was Mr. Eachus, as majority leader, who submitted a request to the House to excuse "the gentleman from Greene County" from attendance. Mr. Eachus, exuding confidence, attended the session.
Tracie Mauriello contributed to this report.
More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Dennis Roddy can be reached at droddy@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1965
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09349/1021097-455.stm#ixzz0ZmXdbPDX
Is Eachus out of the clear??
Eachus is still toast...just not today.
Two suggestions: replace DeWeese with someone of highly clean reputation (someone ho could not get caught up in future indictment). Second, caucus has to rid itself of those staffers highly implicated in the scandal, like Steve Webb and at least a dozen others. Cleaning that up sends a message, as does keeping them.
What happened to the "immunity deal"?
Oh, I guess that once again, Team Casa got it all wrong.
Was DeWeese charged in connection with bonuses or LCOMM? No? Care to explain why?
Following up on last week's Senate poll, Rasmussen released another one today on the Pa governor's race -- it shows Repub front-runner Tom Corbett beating all the Democrats in the race, but says it's still "wide open":
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state finds State Attorney General Tom Corbett ahead of all four of his leading Democratic rivals in potential 2012 match-ups.
Corbett, the front-runner among GOP hopefuls for the job, captures 48% to former Congressman Joe Hoeffel's 26%. Against Scranton Mayor Christopher Doherty, Corbett wins 46% to 23%.
The attorney general is a 44% to 28% winner over Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato. The closest race is Corbett versus state Auditor General Jack Wagner, with the Republican on top 43% to 30%.
Prediction:
The Gaming Tables Bill stalls in senate; next year, the Republicans take control of Governorship, State House, and keep State Senate.
This way the Republicans decide on when and how and what changes will happen in gaming in the Democratic Counties that support Gaming.
This is a coup over the control of gaming and Fumo, Veon, DeWeese, Ramaley, Stetler, and others to come were just cannon fodder for this coup.
It is the Democratic Counties and Democratic Citizens that do most of the gambling and contribute to Gaming Revenues and lotteries far more than the Republican base, but the Republicans will be in full control by November of next year.
Wanna bet?
HARRISBURG -- A statewide grand jury has accused former House speaker H. William DeWeese, D-Greene, in a wide-ranging investigation into the use of state employees and resources in political campaigns, the Post-Gazette has learned.
Also accused in today's presentment is Revenue Secretary Stephen H. Stetler, who resigned his cabinet post this morning.
The charges do not implicate Mr. DeWeese in the payment of taxpayer funded bonuses to state employees who were used in campaigns in 2004 and 2006 -- the scandal that triggered a three-year probe by Attorney General Tom Corbett.
This summer, one former DeWeese staff member, Kevin Sidella, testified before the grand jury under a grant of immunity. Investigators believed Mr. Sidella was kept on the state payroll in Mr. DeWeese's Capitol office where his primary job consisted of making fund-raising calls and organizing Mr. DeWeese's re-election campaigns.
The grand jury's findings now mean that two former House speakers are under pending charges. Last month, the grand jury accused former Speaker John Perzel, R-Philadelphia, of misusing more than $10 million in state monies to purchase databases he used in Republican House contests.
Mr. DeWeese was absent from the floor today as the House was gaveled into session.
"Care to explain why?"
Hey, you're the one with the conspiracy theories, you tell us. If you have more evidence than one "ur welcome" email then let's hear it.
John Baer: What's for Dinner at Waldorf? Tradition
By John Baer
Philadelphia Daily News
NEW YORK - Tradition, like conventional wisdom, tends to carry on, no matter the year, the ailing economy or the spreading scandals.
So thousands of Pennsylvanians who by choice, chance or marriage are connected, or wish to be, to the power grid of politics, showed up here over the weekend for the 111th annual dinner of the Pennsylvania Society.
There was more buzz about the race for governor than about Arlen Specter's efforts to extend his long career. There was chatter about the ongoing corruption probe and how it impacts elections.
For more than a century they've come to spend time and money here, to circulate in the same events, to see the same faces; and then to crowd, tuxedoed, gowned and bejeweled, into the tiered ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel for a black-tie supper Saturday night.
(This is actually the only event sanctioned by the society; close to 50 breakfasts, lunches, dinners, meetings and receptions are sponsored by candidates, law firms and special interests.)
As mentioned, attention was paid to the race for governor: eight candidates - five Democrats, three Republicans - for an open seat next year.
Friday, in dueling receptions one right after the other in Waldorf venues not 50 feet apart, Allegheny County executive and presumed Democratic frontrunner Dan Onorato outdrew his ever-optimistic fellow Pittsburgher, state Auditor General Jack Wagner.
The latter is not dismayed.
"I feel good," Wagner says. "I think I'm in as good a position as anyone. I don't care who's supporting who. I'm an optimist."
Onorato, better financed and with access to the resources of Edward G. Rendell, says that what he did in his county will play in a statewide race.
"I actually changed government," he says. "I cut the county payroll, reduced taxes, reduced the number of row offices . . . [Republican] candidates never had to govern."
Other Democrats running are Montco Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty and Philly's own Tom Knox. All were in the city, although I never saw Knox.
As to conventional wisdom, it contends that 2010 presents itself as a year when the "Pennsylvania cycle" comes around again. For no known good reason, state voters change parties in the governor's office every eight years, and have done so since 1946. It's Republicans' time, so some already look ahead.
So Attorney General Tom Corbett, the only candidate with statewide name ID, appears positioned to ride the cycle right into the governorship.
"I've run an agency of 800 people," Corbett says, "but I've also been in the private sector [as a practicing lawyer and corporate counsel] and that gives me experience that Dan Onorato doesn't have . . . I know what it takes to make a business grow."
He also knows what it takes to make a profile grow. His ongoing investigation of the Legislature so far has led to 22 charged, five guilty pleas and one acquittal at trial.
That acquittal, of former Beaver County Democratic state Rep. Sean Ramaley, has, Corbett contends, "no impact" on pending cases; and, according to Corbett campaign manager Brian Nutt, dutifully eavesdropping on the conversation, "zero" impact on the campaign.
Other Republicans running are Philly 'burbs Congressman Jim Gerlach and Berks County state Rep. Sam Rohrer, both also in attendance.
But that's what candidates do: attend. That's the tradition. And conventional wisdom suggests it's likely to continue.
Um, sure:
Mike Manzo's testimony
Kat Manucci's testimony
DeWeese acknowledging and approving bonuses
Top DeWeese aide directing political work by a state contractor
Another top DeWeese aide directing political work by a state contractor
DeWeese himself directing political work by a state contractor
It is time for the Attorneys to start to provide Motions to throw out much of the evidence and reliance on a highly questionable investigation that is all over the place. One set of evidence led to others and then crossed lines.
Republicans are going to start to join parade and do not underestimate the tenacity of Veon and his dependable people around him. It is only a matter if time Eachus will be joining the group of Democratic Leadership targeted for splashing scandals to win elections for Republicans. Add in Jubelier, Brightbill and Smith.
So, get the lawyers moving on challenging how the evidence was gathered and how it was misused to frighten staffers to cut deals to save themselves. How there was too wide and violations of constitutional rights in the gathering of this evidence.
A united concerted effort can begin the demise of these investigations when many people were just doing their jobs and part of that job is campaigning as part of constituent service.
So, DeWeese did what Team Casa did, tell me how that helps all of you?
Will Republicans Marshall, Christina, and Vogel bring a Race/Casino to Beaver County now?
Here is thye crap I hate reading, Kevin Slitherdella is given Immunity and keps his Pension, and PJ Lavelle, one of the most honest guys if you ever met him, had to plead Guilty and never given the chance for Immunity.
Now that is what i call injustice!
5 - 2.5? You are asleep at the scorecard, buddy.
We can start with your questionable scoring decisions.
Veon may have got his judge buddy to toss the BIG charges, but the AG threw the challenge flag and upon further review, the call was reversed. No penalty for a successful challenge, no "half-point" awarded.
As for Rachel Manzo, you don't count scores based on speculation of what might happen. She stays off the board for now.
Now for your "win" column - you missed 3. LaGrotta and family pled, so that makes the score 8-1, with plenty more pending.
Now you can hope that Corbett suffers a Steelers-style crumble, but I sure would hate to go up against a team with those odds.
Signor:
That's pretty compelling evidence - especially the Eric Buxton stuff. If DeWeese really wanted to clean up, why does he still employ Tom Andrews? Does Widemer work for the caucus? Does Steve Webb? Karen Steiner? Vicki DiLeo? Jon Price? Kat Mannucci? Rene Diehl? John Paul Jones? and all the others mentioned in these presentments as doing something wrong? Who does each one work for?
Here's The Statement ...
... from Majority Whip Bill DeWeese who was charged in Attorney General Tom Corbett's Bonusgate probe this afternoon:
"For almost three years, I've cooperated with Attorney General Tom Corbett and his team of investigators. I've ordered that evidence be preserved. I've honored subpoenas for the production of tens of thousands of documents.
I've directed my staff to cooperate not obstruct. I've met with the team of investigators on multiple occasions and I've taken substantial steps internally to change the culture of the caucus by implementing ethics training and whistleblower provisions.
Obviously, I am disappointed by today's action.
...."I cooperated with Corbett and expected not to be charged" sounds pretty much like a deal.
http://www.post-gazette.com/twitter/tweets.asp?id=pgpolitweets
Former Pennsylvania House Speaker Bill DeWeese, others released after arraignment in Bonusgate case
By DANIEL VICTOR, The Patriot-News
December 16, 2009, 9:40AM
Rep. Bill DeWeese, D-Greene, was released this morning after his arraignment on charges related to the Bonusgate corruption case.
Bill DeWeese, Stephen Stetler and Sharon Rodavich, who were charged by Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett Tuesday in the Bonusgate investigation into public corruption, were released on $50,000 unsecured bail at their arraignment this morning before District Judge William Wenner in Lower Paxton Township.
DeWeese, a Democratic lawmaker from Greene County, is the former Pennsylvania Speaker of the House. Stetler resigned yesterday as state revenue secretary. Rodavich is a DeWeese aide. All were charged with conflict of interest, theft by unlawful taking or disposition, theft of services, theft by deception, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received and criminal conspiracy to commit conflict of interest and/or theft. If convicted, they will face up to 40 years in prison and $85,000 in fines, Corbett said.
DeWeese, Stetler and Rodavich arrived unusually early this morning, when most journalists hoping to catch them walking into the courtroom had not yet arrived. Stetler left the courtroom through a throng of journalists without comment, while DeWeese gathered the media for a five-minute statement.
He detailed his cooperation with the attorney general and changes he's made in caucus policies since the Bonusgate investigation began. "I'm certainly disappointed by the charges," he said before getting in a car bound for the Lower Paxton Township police station for processing.
The judge imposed a no-contact order on the three with any witnesses involved in the case.
DeWeese said it's difficult for him to not have contact with one of his top staff people. Rodavich is a staff member in DeWeese's Waynesburg office.
"We think that no contact is not hard to understand," said James Reeder, deputy attorney general. "There are plenty of other people who work in that office. Work orders can be transmitted through a third party.s"
Wenner said he'd allow DeWeese and Rodavich to work together on legislative issues.
Corbett has charged 25 people in Bonusgate since January 2007, when The Patriot-News first reported a once-secret bonus program for legislative staffers. It helped ignite what has become a sweeping probe into the alleged improper use of public funds for campaign purposes.
Pay raise support imperils Jubelirer's re-election bid
Friday, May 12, 2006
By Tom Barnes, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
HARRISBURG -- Every day for weeks, Altoona radio talk show host Dave Barger has been bombarded by calls and comments from listeners about the tightest state Senate race in years.
Senator Bob Jubelirer has to go -- he voted for the pay raise last year. No, Senator Jubelirer has to stay -- he has clout after 30 years in Harrisburg and brings state money back to Blair County.
We need a fresh face in the Senate, Blair County Commissioner John Eichelberger.
Who's the third guy in the race? And what's up with those commercials comparing Jubelirer to actor Jimmy Stewart in 'It's a Wonderful Life'?
"It's been amazing,'' Mr. Barger, of station WRTA-AM, said yesterday. "This is going to be a very close race. The anger about the pay raise just hasn't gone away.''
Mr. Jubelirer, 69, was first elected to the Senate in 1974 and is seeking his ninth term. He's been president pro tem, the top post, for nearly 20 years. This is only the second time he's even had opposition in a primary, the other being 1978.
Because of Mr. Jubelirer's standing in the Senate and the furor over the pay raise, "this race is being watched all over the state,'' said Mr. Barger.
The incumbent has two opponents in Tuesday's Republican primary, but the most serious threat is posed by Mr. Eichelberger, 47, a Blair County commissioner since 1996.
The third candidate, C. Arnold McClure, 59, a Huntingdon County farmer and publisher of a weekly newspaper, could hold the key to the outcome, depending on whom he takes more votes from. Some observers see him splitting the anti-Jubelirer vote, thus hurting Mr. Eichelberger.
Most people agree with Mr. Barger that it's going to be close Tuesday night.
A poll done two weeks ago for Mr. Eichelberger showed Mr. Jubelirer at 41 percent, Mr. Eichelberger at 38 percent, Mr. McClure at 10 percent and the rest undecided.
Given Mr. Jubelirer's long tenure and huge campaign budget, many people don't see that as a large margin.
Jubelirer aide David Atkinson wouldn't release specific poll results but said, "Our numbers show us ahead, but it's not a landslide.''
As of May 1, the senator had raised $1.3 million and spent nearly $900,000. With a barrage of TV and radio ads in the last two weeks, his spending is likely to reach $1 million.
He's gotten money from major law firms like Blank Rome ($10,000) and Buchanan Ingersoll ($5,000); the political action committees of firms like Comcast ($25,000), GlaxoSmithKline ($7,500) and Sheetz ($5,000); politicians including former U.S. Rep. Bud Shuster ($1,000), state Sen. Joe Conti ($15,000), state Sen. Joseph Scarnati ($10,000) and GOP national committeewoman Christine Olson ($10,000); the Pennsylvania State Education Association ($5,000) and Steelers President Art Rooney II ($1,000).
Mr. Eichelberger has considerably less, raising $191,000 and spending $109,000 as of a May 1 report to the state. He expects to spend at least $80,000 more by Tuesday, said campaign spokesman Tim Kelly.
His biggest contributors have been his brother, Todd Eichelberger, who chipped in $50,000; former GOP Lt. Gov. Bill Scranton and Pittsburgh entrepreneur Glenn Meakem, each giving $25,000; Richard Mellon Scaife, publisher of the Tribune-Review, $20,000; and former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey, $1,000.
Mr. Eichelberger also has gotten help from Young Conservatives of Pennsylvania, which spent $30,000 on radio ads for him.
The 30th District includes all of Blair, Bedford, Fulton and Huntingdon counties and a slice of Mifflin County.
Some people in the district think Mr. Jubelirer went too far with a recent ad comparing himself to Indiana County-born actor Jimmy Stewart in the tear-jerker movie "Wonderful Life.''
That's the four-hanky 1946 film trotted out every Christmas where Mr. Stewart's character does wonderful things for a fictional small town down on its luck.
"The story proves one good man can make a world of difference, and in our area Bob Jubelirer has been such a man,'' claims the ad. "Without Bob, there would be no [Altoona Curve] baseball field, or convention center, or I-99,'' Bedford Springs Hotel or industrial projects in the 30th.
Mr. Barger said some listeners have been "insulted by the ad. It gives the impression that without him, we wouldn't even be here. It was too much.''
What Mr. Eichelberger lacks in finances, he's tried to make up in star power. Stumping for him have been Mr. Scranton, Mr. Toomey, former GOP presidential candidate Alan Keyes and Stephen Freind, a former GOP state legislator and outspoken anti-abortion crusader.
Mr. Jubelirer is backed by more moderate Republicans, like U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter and U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster.
Mr. Freind went to Blair County yesterday to assail the incumbent's reversal on the abortion issue and criticize the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation for rating Mr. Jubelirer as "pro-life.''
Mr. Freind, a leading pro-life member of the House from 1976 to 1992, said in all that time, "Bob Jubelirer voted, without exception, against every one of our pro-life initiatives. Now he says he's pro-life. He converts during the toughest campaign in which he has ever been engaged. I have concerns about the timing."
Jen Holman, Mr. Jubelirer's campaign manager, said Mr. Freind's information is out of date because he's been out of the Legislature for so long.
"The senator has had a pro-life voting record for the past 16 years,'' she said.
"He has the support of the respected Pro-Life Federation and of the pro-life Republican candidate for governor, Lynn Swann.''
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06132/689531-179.stm#ixzz0ZrlT2EGi
The real test of AG Corbett will be his character, fairness, and ability to investigate his close political friend former senator Robert Jubelier. Corbett was known and seen in Altoona many times with Jubelier.
Corbett boast he will look at any wrongdoing at any place at anytime, we shall see how good he is in protecting the taxpayers monies against politician close to him that did it on state time.
Kind of funny, the House has over 200 members and senate just 50, but the OAG has been directed at the House \and nothing has been going on substantially in the senate and far smaller body.
Former State Senators Gerald LaValle was part of BIG but only Veon has been hung out to ridicule and convicted bt Grand Jury Presentments.
While Senator Brightbill, and Corbett’s political Godfather Bob Jubelier should be way up on Corbett’s targets now.
We should be hearing something about the OAG Investigations very soon, if we can count on Corbett’s honesty. If not, the Media should be asking why all year long next year.
Corbett will not come close to investigating the Republican Senate Caucus run by his close political confident Bobby Jubelirer before Primary or General Election days.
A preliminary hearing for the Republican-linked House Republicans Caucus defendants is not expected until March.
It is very well plausible Corbett took so long to investigate the House on purpose to avoid investigating the Senate, to save his friend Bobby Jubelirer.
Corbett’s hypocrisy knows no bounds!
Brad Bumsted reports that Pennsylvania taxpayers paid $173,469 for fifteen GOP staffers to attend computer conferences and meetings in Las Vegas, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.
In the only case in the investigation to go to trial so far, former state Democratic Rep. Sean Ramaley of Beaver County was acquitted of all charges last week. Corbett declined to say what he thought went wrong with that case, but said the defeat would sharpen prosecutors’ focus.
The trial for some of the remaining House Democratic defendants is scheduled to begin Jan. 19, though at least five of them have signed plea agreements with prosecutors.
Corbett, a Republican, is a leading candidate for his party’s nomination in next year’s gubernatorial campaign.
Team Casa, through time:
"Corbett won't charge anybody"
"OK, LaGrotta, but that's it."
"OK, Veon and Co, but he definitely won't go after Republicans, especially Perzel."
"OK, so he went after Perzel, but DeWeese? He'll never touch DeWeese."
"Uh... OK, he touched DeWeese, but... uh... not enough. And he'll never go after Jubilier."
The hits keep coming.
Yeah ... LaGrotta was charged in November 2007, almost a year before this blog was born.
And Veon was charged in July 2008, about two months before this blog was born.
So.....
Maybe you're thinking of some other blog?
Messrs. Schuster and company should realize that there is a grassroots group arising and in wait to challenge and defeat the present band of corruptors to the system. That cool breeze of their backs that they have imagined should not be enjoyed too fervwently; it shall transform into rthe fire ofhoenixville and remoukld tyhe future of Pennsylvania politics. Look unto the east from whence cometh the voters.
Hoeffel's right...at least to the point that he is right on the money...THERE WILL BE NO FORTY MILLION THIS YEAR...nor should there be now or ever. Money and greed is the whole reason why this corruption has spawned in the first place. There should be a ban on any state wide official who does not serve out their term. Term limits should be immediately put into effect and a constitutional convention should be a priority to clean-up this discrace by the present decade of bi-partisan corruption in our Commonwealth.
The score should be PEOPLE - Zero
and there are NO true leaders out there to stand up for the people.
When was the last time the Pennsylvania Society of New York stood up for the people? 1894
Who is in line to take over as county executive should Taxing Dan Onorato become Fast Eddie's successor?
a. Boy Mayor Luke
b. President Rich Fitzgerald
c. Mary Beth Buchanan
d. Franco Dok-Harris
e. Jean Caliguiri
Who needs gun control when we can utilize character assassination?
Now if you post things about Bobby Jubelirer, you will see this entire investigation come to a halt.
Bobby Jubelirer is the key to all these investigations, Corbett will not touch him, unless others post what they know Bobby Jubelirer was doing with his own Staffers on Campaigns.
Also, Bobby Jubelirer had his staff work on his wife's judicial campaigns.
Now if you post things about Bobby Jubelirer, you will see this entire investigation come to a halt.
Trust me, we will be posting evidence on these two working together on state time, and it is about time Corbett comes clean and starts doing his job in investigating the Big Daddy that put him in his first job in government......Bobby Jubelirer!
I would be leary of anyone who spends and spends and spends to win an office.
What ever happens to hard work and addressing the issues?
Are both political parties dead. Why do they stand on the indictment of their leadership?
Sillence equals admission.
Only a minion of nine men and the Torah could save Sodom and Gommorrah. Where are their ten people today to stand up to save Pennsylvania
With God as his Judge, Tom Corbett will never politick on public time again.
Hey Anonymous: Maybe Jack Wagner is making a move to replace Dan Onorato.
How is justice ever going to be rendered in all this corruption when Pennsylvania has one of the most politically infested court systems in the nation.
It is common knowledge that these jurists engage in political deals and bargains with the legislature in an ongoing basis.
The pay raise - appointments - senate confirmations. It is business as usual on the taxpayers dime. Cloaked in robes and righteousness at the expense of taxpayer: Justice is not blind, the people just refuse to see.
"conspiracy to commit conflict of interest"
Is that a real crime? It sounds like "attempted manslaughter". Isn't a conflict of interest only a crime if you fail to disclose it or fail to step down? Can you conspire *not* to do something?
(Seriously, does anyone know what the definition of "conspiracy to commit conflict of interest" is?)
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