LEGISLATOR X(Todd Eachus) STAFFERFACES CHARGES
Friday, July 11, 2008
Section: NEWS
Page: 1A
RORY SWEENEY rsweeney@timesleader.com
Veon and Michael Manzo initiated the program, directing caucus employee Eric Webb to maintain a list of caucus employees who assisted in campaigns, according to Corbett. Webb testified before a grand jury in exchange for immunity.
In 2006, Manzo secured for his wife a taxpayer-funded job helping Webb maintain the list, and she also assisted on campaigns in both the primary and general elections.
In December 2006, Rachel Manzo was hired as the executive director of Representative Eachus's policy committee, Eachus said. He said he was unaware of the work she had been doing before he hired her.
"Her work for the policy committee has been exemplary, so I'm startled," he said.
When asked about the list, he said: "I heard about it today. That's all I've got to say on that list."
Let's review the Grand Jury testimony to see if his statement holds water.
On 6/10/2008 a Special Agent from the Attorney General's office interviewed Daniel Wiedemer at his residence in Harrisburg. He accepted service of a Grand Jury subpoena. On 6/23/2008 Wiedemer was given a proffer interview which means he was told whatever he said could not be used against him in a proceeding.
Dan Wiedemer's testimony in front of the Grand Jury on 7/29/2008
Q- Tell us how this worked. That's the starting point. Who would participate in establishing that list.
A- There was a group of folks who, not just in this decision, but I think in any decision was always consulted, gave either their viewpoints or said how it was going to be.
That would be myself, Jessica Walls who is Jessica Walls Lavelle who was the field director at that point, Representative Stetler who was the chairman of the campaign committee, Representative Veon, Brett Cott, Mike Manzo. And that was the core group and it expanded a little bit to include Representative Dan Frankel, Representative Jen Mann and Representative Joe Preston who also were involved in the campaign committee.
Q- What about Eachus?
A- Early on in the cycle, Representative Eachus wasn't involved. He became involved in July or August.
Q- After Stetler left?
A-After Representative Stetler left.
Q-He took over for Stetler, right?
A- He did.
So Eachus took over as Chairman of the campaign committe but is trying to tell the public the arrest was the first time he heard of the list. It is worth noting that the attorney for Stephen Stetler accepted service of a Grand Jury subpoena on 6/12/2008.
Previous testimony before the Grand Jury was corroborated by Dan Wiedemer's testimony.
Eric Webb's testimony before the Grand Jury ON 06/24/2008 stating Eachus knew Webb maintained the volunteer list allegedly used to award bonuses.
Q- List for us everybody that you recollect knew about the list or saw the list from 2004 through the end of 2006.
A- Mike Manzo, Brett Cott, the people in my office knew about the list. Nora Sabo, Paul Martz, Cameron Texter, Gail McDermott, Jon Price, DeWeese's office knew about the list, Kevin Sidella. I think most people who worked for DeWeeese and Veon knew, so that would include people like Jeb Wagner, John Paul Jones who worked for Steve Stetler and then later Todd Eachus knew about it.
Two participants in the Legislative Bonus scandal testified that Legislator X, who in his biography states, "In 2006 Legislator X'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." knew about the list according to the witnesses but in a newspaper interview in July, 2008 he states u>"I heard about it today. That's all I've got to say on that list."
You be the judge. It is worth noting that the Special Agent mentioned above is still actively investigating the Democrats. You have not heard the last of their Bonusgate activities. Don't get me wrong. There will be Republicans as well who will be arrested, and deservedly so, but the Dems should not be sleeping comfortably at night.
3 comments:
I think Todd Eachus if put under oath will have to admit he is talking to Mike Manzo.
I wonder why the Attorney General has not investigated this information.
After all, a Guilty Plea Witness talking to Majority Leader as Grand Jury Testimony is under seal?
Give me a break.
There will be no more Democrats arrested. The only reason a grand jury was hearing testimony a few months ago was to "verify" the contents of the box found in Bill Sloane and Mike Edmiston's former office, so it could be used as evidence in the case against Veon. Corbett has had all the time and opportunity in the world to build a case against DeWeese or Eacus if he wanted to, and hasn't. The grand jury witnesses were specifically asked only about Veon and his crew. Even if they had wanted to testify about DeWeese or Eachus - despite the counsel of their DeWeese-provided lawyers - they were never given the opportunity to do so. They were specifically asked only about Veon and his circle.
If you read the Mike Veon Lawyers Pre-Trial Motions, it is clear he took over from Stetler and it was stated by witnesses he was more aggressive.
Dan Resse Testimony put out by Mike Veon also shows the HDCC Leaders changed the CIT Computer System and hid it from HDC members and DeWeese's new Chief Of Staff, Sandy Williams was informed of it by Resse, proving DeWeese never knew what other did while running the HDCC Campaigns.
Finally, if you note from the testimony above Bill DeWeese was not in this inner circle of the HDCC and was dependent on what Manzo was telling him and Manzo admitted in public he let DeWeese down and kept things from DeWeese.
In addition, someone destroyed Computer Disc by shooting them up from the HDCC, and this Obstruction of Justice, and DeWeese was never privy to that event.
Finally, Todd Eachus brags about running the HDCC and winning the Majority and refused to testify before the Grand Jury. I suspect he was the alleged Ringleader and I suspect he is in real trouble much like John Perzel.
The big Difference I see is that Bill DeWeese once he found out some things were kept from him, took action, hired Investigators to investigate the HDCC and his Office and cooperated with the OAG as legally as possible and did not destroy evidence.
The same cannot be said for Todd Eachus and Eachus benefited from his actions by becoming Majority Leader. It is one thing to not cooperate but never destroy evidence; it is the Obstruction of justice charges that get you in the end, more than any other substantive charges.
Bringing in Rendell Lame Duck Know Nothings and Convicted Felon Fumo Former Law Firm, Dilworth Paxson was not wise either, and Eachus Leadership in the Housie Budget Crisis and Reforms is outright Incompetent. Todd Eachus may have been behind this whole thing to take power from western Pennsylvania Leaders.
We shall see?
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