More charges of corruption are imminent in bonusgate scandal

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More charges of corruption are imminent in bonusgate scandal

(10 posts) (4 voices)

RickSchenker
Erie PA
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Based on information leaking from the grand jury and current cases against a dozen officials accused of using taxpayer money to run political campaigns, it seems likely that a number of other indictments are imminent by the end of the year.

It’s looks to me like the prosecutors are allowing the defenses for those currently charged to help provide evidence of wrong doings by other lawmakers engaged in similar conduct. So far, claim by those currently charged seem to implicate current elected officials including Bill DeWeese, D-Greene, former House Speaker John Perzel, R-Philadelphia, current PA Revenue Secretary Steve Stetler and others.

Some people seem to believe that Corbett is using these public corruption cases against Democrats to run for Governor, but just because his office filed charges against Veon and 11 former House Democrat associates does not mean that other charges against Republicans and Democrats are not forthcoming. In fact, just a few months ago, Corbett said ‘when the next criminal charges come in a public corruption investigation of the State Legislature, people will be shocked by the staggering amount of taxpayer money involved.” A month later he announced another grand jury would be seated in Pittsburgh to focus on public corruption and organized crime.

In response to a motion to dismiss charges because Corbett’s has not filed charges against other involved in using taxpayer money for political campaigns,” his office argued that they have "conclusive evidence" to counter the defense claims of selective prosecution but they cannot reveal that evidence publicly. Since the investigation is still active, the law prohibits the disclosing of evidence pertaining to persons being investigated by a grand jury.

It seems to me that Corbett is building solid cases against all parties involved. The evidence this time will include the public testimony by those that are currently being prosecuted.

Rick Schenker
Candidate for Lt. Governor
http://www.RickSchenker.com
http://www.twitter.com/rickschenker

Posted 1 year ago #
Nelly Bly

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"It’s looks to me like the prosecutors are allowing the defenses for those currently charged to help provide evidence of wrong doings by other lawmakers engaged in similar conduct."

You could not be more mistaken. The evidence of wrongdoing that was contained in Mr. Veon's motion for dismissal was provided to Mr. Veon by the prosecutors as part of the discovery process.

Mr. Corbett has been in posession of this information for nearly two years. It was not provided to him by Mr. Veon. It was provided to Mr. Veon by Mr. Corbett.

That is why Mr. Veon can make the claim that these actions were not a crime when they were committed by other people; Mr. Corbett already has investigated this evidence and decided they did not indicate criminal activity.

Posted 1 year ago #
RickSchenker
Erie PA
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Thank you Mr. Bly.

So then why do you think the AG hasn't filed charges against DeWeese or Stetler yet?

Do you think other charges are forthcoming?

Posted 1 year ago #
Nelly Bly

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I think Mr. Corbett will do whatever is most politically expedient. Whatever the reason certain people are charged or not charged, you can be sure it's based on politics and not the evidence. It's a tragedy that justice has taken a back seat to this man's personal ambition.

Posted 1 year ago #
RickSchenker
Erie PA
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If you are right, it seems that Corbett would file charges against DeWeese and Stetler since both are democrats. Don't you think so?

I hope and believe you are wrong about Corbett. I am always inclined to think the best about people and I have always believed Tom Corbett to be an good and honest man.

Anyone else want to comment on this?

Posted 1 year ago #
RickSchenker
Erie PA
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Attorney General Tom Corbett is being accused of using this bonus scandal for his own political gain. In an interview he recently said, "The people who are in charge of this investigation are career prosecutors, career agents. The decisions that will be made — and I won't be making those decisions — are made in the best interests of the prosecution of those cases in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Regardless of whether I run or don't run (for Governor), that's not going to change."

Posted 1 year ago #
Nelly Bly

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Sounds to me like a guy who's already setting up someone else to take the blame when this thing collapses.

Posted 1 year ago #
bobguzzardi

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Then will he let the career prosecutors take the credit for whatever successes there are.

John Perzel's name comes up in these discussions. He would be the second incumbent to be indicted. It is is as hard to believe that he did not know and do what Veon knew and did than it is to believe Bill DeWeese did not know and did not do what Veon knew and did.

and the Senate Rs are not angels....

Posted 1 year ago #
FC

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But just the article and attachment in the York paper (it was just the part about Stetler, that's all I've actually seen) includes e-mails not only implicating Stetler, but also the Governor's current Chief of Staff, and others high in the administration, at a time when they worked in the legislature.

Posted 1 year ago #
RickSchenker
Erie PA
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Thank you all for the dialogue... I hope you have a tremendous 4th of July.

Rick Schenker
http://www.RickSchenker.com

Posted 1 year ago #