What Does Todd Eachus Really Know About Bonsugate?

From ToddEachus.com:

In addition to his legislative leadership roles, Todd also provides political leadership for Pennsylvania Democrats. In 2006 Todd’s campaign strategies and dedication to help incumbent members and first-time candidates led directly to House Democrats retaking the Majority for the first time since 1994

In 2007, Todd expanded his leadership with the House Democratic Campaign Committee and served as chairman, thus helping to coordinate all Democratic House political activities. In 2008, Todd led the effort to expand the Democratic majority by a crucial two seats, setting the stage for the election fo the first Democratic Speaker of the House since 1994.

From Pennlive.com

'Bonusgate' timeline
Friday, July 11, 2008

2007

January

Democrats take control of the state House for the first time in 12 years. The Patriot-News, responding to tips from House Democratic employees, reports on a secret bonus program for caucus employees. Tipsters alleged that the bonuses were tied to work on 2006 political campaigns. Within a week, all four caucuses disclose similar bonuses exceeding $3.6 million in 2005-06.

February

State Attorney General Tom Corbett says his office will investigate allegations that the staff bonuses were tied to campaign work.

August

After months of meetings with caucus officials on their bonus policies, staff interviews and other work, Corbett's investigators raid the House Democrats' Legislative Research Office, responding to a tip that materials relevant to the probe were about to be destroyed.

September

The first subpoenas go out to Democratic staffers, requiring their appearance before the grand jury. Caucus attorneys seek to block the subpoenas, but are foiled by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. October

Corbett's office issues subpoenas for records of the House Republican Caucus. November The Democratic caucus forces the resignations of or fires seven senior staffers as it turns over a new information to Corbett's agents. House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese said the information uncovered made their continued employment "untenable." December

DeWeese makes a tour of Pennsylvania newspapers, making the case that the caucus's problems were tied to actions of the fired staffers and former Democratic Whip Mike Veon, D- Beaver County. He said he had no knowledge of bonuses for campaign work.

Leaked e-mails implicate Veon and several staffers in tying bonuses to campaign work.

2008

February

Senate Republican leaders issue a statement confirming that Corbett's office has subpoenaed records from them. The news, along with follow- up requests of the House Republicans, fails to quench criticism in some circles that Corbett, a Republican, has staged the probe to hit Democrats first....

From Attorney General Tom Corbett's website:

2006 Bonuses

The election year of 2006 would prove to be the largest effort yet undertaken as part of the incentive scheme. Eric Webb testified that in 2006 the pay raise vote had "changed the whole map." He testified that there were many "more seats in play" requiring more volunteers to do everything from opposition research to campaign work in the field. It was also a unique year because both caucus leaders, Veon and DeWeese, had serious challengers. As a result of these factors, the campaign efforts started in earnest very early in the year.

Whether measured by the effort expended in tracking the campaign work of caucus employees, the number of bonus recipients or the dollar amounts expended on bonuses, 2006 far exceeded the prior years.


It was Eachus's strategies that led to House Democrats retaking the majority by his own admission. Hmmmm..oddly interesting.