The Times Leasder is running an Associated Press Report indicating that the judge presiding over the fight concerning legal files and the Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus will appoint a master to act more like an judge than a mediator to deteremine ownership of legal files regarding Bonusgate.
Dauphin County Judge Lawrence F. Clark Jr. said Wednesday that the parties had agreed to have retired Judge G. Thomas Miller act as a special master in the case. Clark’s office said an order appointing Miller and spelling out his duties and powers was expected to be issued later in the week.
At issue is control over the files that lawyer Bill Chadwick and his Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm, Chadwick Associates Inc., generated while helping the House Democratic caucus respond to the state attorney general’s investigation into allegations of legislative corruption.
Chadwick has refused to turn over the files, citing an assertion of lawyer-client privilege made by Rep. Bill DeWeese, who hired him while serving as the Democrats’ floor leader during the last legislative session. Chadwick declined comment Wednesday.
Marcy said Miller’s role will be more like a judge than a mediator. He said the time frame for resolving ownership and possession of the files was unclear but hoped it would be short.
Marcy said the caucus and Chadwick also have agreed to let DeWeese, now the Democratic whip, intervene in the case.
DeWeese spokesman Tom Andrews said DeWeese “has not signed anything yet” and was “anxious for this issue to be quietly mediated.”
Clark urged the two sides at a hearing last week to bring in Miller, telling them they “don’t need to be putting your family laundry on the line.”
It has not been publicly disclosed what the files contain, although Chadwick described their size generally during the court proceeding.
Showing posts with label Bill Chadwick. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bill Chadwick. Show all posts
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Democrats Show The Definition of Ridiculous
As the saga continues over legal files and the House Democratic Caucus OUR bills are piling up. Yes, you and me, the Pennsylvania taxpayer. The judge in the case scolded both sides over this wasteful litigation according to this article that appeared in the Post-Gazette.
Dauphin County Judge Lawrence Clark also scolded both sides yesterday for already spending over $1 million in public funds for lawyers' fees, during a serious economic recession when many people are losing their jobs or homes. The fees are the result of a criminal investigation into bonuses prosecutors say were given to employees for campaign work, which would be illegal.
"Our state and nation are going through some tough times," the judge said. "The confidence of the average citizen in government has been diminished. What is the message to the people who are paying the bill for this?"
Now the ridiculous part. Look at how many attorneys are involved.
As seven lawyers representing various House leaders looked on, Judge Clark compared legislative Democrats to a "large family," and noted that big families sometimes have squabbles.
But in this case taxpayers are picking up the tab, he said. So far, $1.3 million has been paid to Mr. Chadwick. Another $150,000 or more will be paid to attorney Chris Casey of Philadelphia, who represents current House Majority Leader Todd Eachus of Luzerne.
Mr. Casey himself was represented yesterday by two other lawyers from his firm, and Mr. Chadwick had his own lawyer. Other House members or staffers were represented by two other attorneys. They may all seek to be paid with public funds.
You have lawyers representing lawyers. But remember Eachus hired Casey to conduct a "top-to-bottom review" of the House Democratic Caucus and recommend changes to make it more efficient.
The review, which will be conducted by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Casey, will try to eliminate "government duplication, waste and inefficiencies" that citizens demand during difficult economic times, Eachus said in a press release obtained before distribution by PolitickerPA.com. Todd, do you remember telling the public that?
If you want to read some favorite theories on the reason for the Eachus/DeWeese slugfest look at Captain Renault's post on the topic. The Captain also has links to the court documents.
The Eachus/Casey Complaint
The Eachus/Casey Motion for Injunction
The Eachus/Casey Legal Memorandum
Dauphin County Judge Lawrence Clark also scolded both sides yesterday for already spending over $1 million in public funds for lawyers' fees, during a serious economic recession when many people are losing their jobs or homes. The fees are the result of a criminal investigation into bonuses prosecutors say were given to employees for campaign work, which would be illegal.
"Our state and nation are going through some tough times," the judge said. "The confidence of the average citizen in government has been diminished. What is the message to the people who are paying the bill for this?"
Now the ridiculous part. Look at how many attorneys are involved.
As seven lawyers representing various House leaders looked on, Judge Clark compared legislative Democrats to a "large family," and noted that big families sometimes have squabbles.
But in this case taxpayers are picking up the tab, he said. So far, $1.3 million has been paid to Mr. Chadwick. Another $150,000 or more will be paid to attorney Chris Casey of Philadelphia, who represents current House Majority Leader Todd Eachus of Luzerne.
Mr. Casey himself was represented yesterday by two other lawyers from his firm, and Mr. Chadwick had his own lawyer. Other House members or staffers were represented by two other attorneys. They may all seek to be paid with public funds.
You have lawyers representing lawyers. But remember Eachus hired Casey to conduct a "top-to-bottom review" of the House Democratic Caucus and recommend changes to make it more efficient.
The review, which will be conducted by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Casey, will try to eliminate "government duplication, waste and inefficiencies" that citizens demand during difficult economic times, Eachus said in a press release obtained before distribution by PolitickerPA.com. Todd, do you remember telling the public that?
If you want to read some favorite theories on the reason for the Eachus/DeWeese slugfest look at Captain Renault's post on the topic. The Captain also has links to the court documents.
The Eachus/Casey Complaint
The Eachus/Casey Motion for Injunction
The Eachus/Casey Legal Memorandum
Friday, March 13, 2009
Judge Suggests Mediation In Bonusgate Files Case
by The Associated Press
Friday March 13, 2009, 1:27 PM
A judge is giving both sides a few days to consider mediation as a way to settle a dispute over who should control House Democrats' files involving the legislative bonus investigation.
Dauphin County Judge Lawrence Clark on Friday said the Democratic caucus and its former legal consultant, Bill Chadwick, should consider having a retired county judge help them settle the matter. Clark is giving both sides until noon Wednesday to decide if that's the route they want to take.
On Friday, Clark also heard from lawyers for others who are also involved in the investigation and who want to have a say in what happens to the files.
Friday March 13, 2009, 1:27 PM
A judge is giving both sides a few days to consider mediation as a way to settle a dispute over who should control House Democrats' files involving the legislative bonus investigation.
Dauphin County Judge Lawrence Clark on Friday said the Democratic caucus and its former legal consultant, Bill Chadwick, should consider having a retired county judge help them settle the matter. Clark is giving both sides until noon Wednesday to decide if that's the route they want to take.
On Friday, Clark also heard from lawyers for others who are also involved in the investigation and who want to have a say in what happens to the files.
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