Signor Ferrari Reveals Himself

Anyone who is anyone in the blogosphere knows about the Casablancapa.blogspot.com website. Today Signor Ferrari, a frequent contributor to the site revealed himself as Rep. Rick Taylor,  You may recall the fight between AG Tom Corbett and Casablancapa by issuance of a subpoena for records belonging to the site. Of course Corbett withdrew the subpoenas.

Not to entirely let Rick Taylor off the hook http://www.democracyforamerica.com/campaigns/1784-rick-taylor-for-pennsylvania-house-of-representatives-151st">here is some of his campaign statements.

We should have good government, devoted to public service rather than self-interest. So Rick, are you telling me you don't take per diems?

We should have representatives with our best interests at heart, who believe in quality schools, solutions for our seniors, and reasonable property taxes that don't place an unfair burden on homeowners. So Rick, did you know that we pay more Pennsylvania taxes since you were elected in 2006. How about that property tax relief we were promised?

From his campaign website:

I ran for State Representative to bring real change to Pennsylvania...from expanding affordable health care, to bringing professionalism and integrity back to state government and fighting to make college affordable, I'm proud of the progress we've made, but there's still work to be done. Uhhh..Rick..how many Democrats have been arrested in connection with the misuse of taxpayer funds since you were elected? Is that your measurement of progress to bring integrety and professionalism back to state government?

Brett Cott Sentenced In Bonusgate Conviction

Democratic aide Brett Cott has been sentenced to 21-64 months in prison for his role in the Bonusgate scandal that rocked Harrisurg, Pennsylvania's capitol according to Brad Bumsted.

Citing a "clear violation of the public trust," a Dauphin County judge today sentenced a former aide of ex-Democratic Whip Mike Veon to 21 months to five years in a state prison for stealing taxpayer resources for political campaigns.

Cott was handcuffed and led away by sheriff's deputies after Common Pleas Judge Richard Lewis denied bail. He was to be taken to Dauphin County Prison to be transported to Camp Hill State Correctional Institution for processing into the state prison system.

Defense attorney Bryan Walk said he will appeal the conviction and the sentence. He called the sentence "excessive" and said there are drug dealers prosecuted by the attorney general's office who get less time.


The sentence was harsher than even prosecutors recommended. Tom Barnes of the Post-Gazette wrote:

The judge said Mr. Cott spent most of his time that was paid for on taxpayer dollars "orchestrating and mastermining political activity." The judge said "public money was used like monopoly money to run campaigns. Some potential candidates were scared off by this taxpayer funded juggernaut. The public was also victimized."

He said probation was not an option because that "would demean the seriousness of the crimes."

In a related story AG Tom Corbett withdrew his subpoenas of Twitter accounts seeking to find the identities of two users who have been critical of Mr. Corbett on the social networking site.

Deputy Attorney General E. Marc Costanzo said today the attorney general's office had no intention of violating anyone's First Amendment rights to free speech by issuing the subpoenas -- he said they were issued for "legal reasons, allowed by law. They had nothing to do with bloggers or tweets of people."

He said the state was trying to show that harsh, negative criticism of Mr. Corbett, especially in the blog CasablancaPA, was "part of Brett Cott's demeanor,"' and showed that he had no "remorse or contrition" about what he'd done. He said Mr. Cott's demeanor was a proper subject to be considered at sentencing.

In the attorney general's memo given to the judge before the sentencing, 17 "aggravating factors" were listed, showing that in the state's opinion Mr. Cott deserved a strong punishment.

One paragraph reads: "Defendant has extensively and anonymously utilized a blog entitled 'CasablancaPA, Exposing the hypocrisy of Tom Corbett,' to deflect blame and deny responsibility for his criminal conduct, and to attack and malign the investigative and prosecutorial process which resulted in his conviction."

Most in the blogging world including SOP scoffed at Corbett's strategy on this one. Cott was convicted and awaitiing sentencing. "Squishing the bug on the ground a little more" wasn't going to serve a greater purpose for society. With Pennsylvania's budget woes due to a loss of projected income meant that AG Corbett should have been a better steward of the resources provided to his office. He may make the claim that these people weren't paid anymore money to file the subpoenas. But most know that there are only so many hours in a work week. If one spends time on this issue another more pressing matter is being forgotten or put aside. Next time Tom use your head.

CasablancaPA Is Right On Target With This Post

Like Mike Veon, Brett Cott, or not read this post on their blog, Casablancapa.blogspot.com. Today AG Tom Corbett supoenaed the records of Twitter accounts allegedly belonging to the bloggers of this site. The defense against the request is right on target.

AG Tom Corbett Goes On The Twitter Attack

Most bloggers are familiar with the site Casablancapa.blogspot.com. In a peculiar twist Philly.com is reporting that AG Tom Corbett has subpoened the identity of two twitter accounts that seem to be related or linked to that website, @bfbarbie and @casablancaPA.

[Corbett] subpoenaed Twitter, asking that it hand over the “name, address, contact information, creation date, creation Internet Protocol address and any and all log in Internet Protocol address” associated with two Twitter accounts, @bfbarbie and @casablancaPA, which have only 68 and 123 followers, respectively [as of Wednesday night, 124 and 206].

UPDATE: The story has taken a new twist, with the Post-Gazette reporting that Corbett's office believes CasablancaPA is being run by Brett Cott, a former legislative aide just convicted in the unfolding Bonusgate scandal. In court filings, two assistant attorneys general argue the blog demonstrates that Cott is deflecting blame and denying responsibility for the crimes of which he's been convicted. They are seeking a longer-than-normal sentence and basing their argument on that.

Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley told Politico that the attorney general didn't issue the subpoena because the Twitter users have been critical of Corbett and said it was issued as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. But he declined to go into further detail.

Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union has thrown itself into the fray, saying it will move to quash the subpoena if it can't reach a negotiated settlement with Corbett. And Allegheny County executive Dan Onorato, who will face Corbett in the fall gubernatorial election, has accused him of misusing his office.

From this blogger just an observation. Isn't there something more pressing than this particular issue facing Pennsylvania? This matter is not a win-win for Corbett.

BREAKKING NEWS: BONUSGATE VERDICTS IN

The long awaited trial of Michael Veon et al in what has been dubbed Bonusgate is over with the jury announcing its verdict at 8P.M.

In the order of the announcement:

Mike Veon has been found guilty in 14 of the 59 charges against him. Defendent Brett Cott was found guilty of 3 of 42 charges against him. Stephen Keefer was found not guilty of any charges. Anna Marie Peretta-Rosepink was found guilty in 5 of the 22 charges against her.

Earlier in the day, Dauphin County Judge Richard Lewis denied a defense motion for a mistrial.

The judge was empathetic towards the jury for their length of service and hardship. The jury is discharged and heads home.

Read the story by Tracie Mauriello of the Post Gazette by clicking here.

Bonusgate Deliberations Affecting Jurors

SInce the media in Northeastern Pennsylvania are practically ignoring Michael Veon et al's Bonusgate trial SOP wants to highlight the latest from Tracie Mauriello of the Post Gazette. In this story she talks about the toll deliberations are taking in this case on jurors to this point.

We're turning on each other," one told Dauphin County Judge Richard A. Lewis from the jury box as she and others dabbed their eyes.

"I can imagine it is hard for a jury to announce a unanimous decision," Judge Lewis said. "Juries are able to do that at most times, and we ask that you keep trying."

Jurors are considering 139 criminal charges against four defendants, including former state Rep. Mike Veon, who represented Beaver County and at one time was the second-ranking Democrat in the state House.

Judge Lewis told jurors that deliberation is not about taking a firm stand but about "talking to your neighbors. Sometimes it takes an effort on everyone's part to do that."

The exchange came as jurors ended their 29th hours of deliberations over four days, following six weeks of testimony.

"We're aware of the strain on you, all 12 of you. I'm sure it's a terrible strain," Judge Lewis said.

The jurors did indicate they came to a conclusion against one defendent in the case. However, their deliberations continue.

Defense Rests And Now Onto Closing Arguments- Bonusgate Trial

Yesterday the defense rested in the Michael Veon et al Bonusgate trial at the Dauphin County Courthouse in Harrisburg. In this report filed by Tracie Mauriello from the Post-Gazette, she sums up those proceedings plus some comments by defense attorneys relating to the trial.


"Was there [campaign-related] e-mail sent on state time? Yes, just like everybody else uses the state e-mail system for fantasy football or whatever," Mr. Walk said. "This staff worked so hard and so long that all of these minor infractions are what we would call de minimis."

Follow Tracie's twitter tweets at the link to the right for today. Defense attorneys are blaming everyone from former Rep. Steven Stetler and Rep. Bill Deweese to Frankel, Manzo, and others as the real perpetrators of misuse of taxpayer moneys.

Editorially speaking it was gang mentality that brought these charges. It will be up to the jury whether the "pack" is accountable.

Senior Deputy Attorney General E. Marc Costanzo said he is confident that the prosecution made its case and that the jury will find each defendant guilty.

Bonusgate Trial- After 4 Weeks Still At It

For some strange reason the media in NEPA is ignoring the Michael Veon et al "Bonusgate" trial underway in Dauphin County Courthouse. SOP has provided links to a few reporters using Twitter from the courtroom in the side bar.

In today's testimony Barbara Grill was "grilled"(sorry couldn't resist the temptation) about her role and that of Veon. Tracey Mauriello of the Post Gazette highlights her testimony here.


Mr. Veon and co-defendants Brett Cott, Stephen Keefer and Annamarie Perretta Rosepink are on trial for various charges including
theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest for allegedly using taxpayer resources to fund political campaigns, something the media has dubbed "Bonusgate".

Mike Veon's Juror List Growing

Log into Tracie Mauriello Twitter Tweets about the Mike Veon Trial

Tracie Mauriello of the Post-Gazette in Pittsburgh is covering the progress made in the Mike Veon "Bonusgate" corruption trial. In this story she tell us that 10 jurors have been picked so far.

HARRISBURG -- Four more jurors were picked this morning for the government corruption trial of former Beaver County state Rep. Mike Veon and three former aides, bringing the total to 10.

Selection continues this afternoon with the goal of finding two more jurors and at least four alternates.

All four defendants are former high-ranking officials or employees of the House Democratic caucus.

Of the 10 jurors selected so far, only one is a registered Democrat.

The defendants are Mr. Veon, 53, and his former aides Stephen Keefer, 39, of Fredericksburg; Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink, 47, of Beaver Falls; and Brett Cott, 37, of Harrisburg.

All are charged with theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest. Mr. Veon faces a total of 56 counts, Mr. Keefer 16 counts, Ms. Perretta-Rosepink 22 and Mr. Cott 42.

The defendants also are accused of using state equipment and state employees' time for political work. They are charged with multiple counts of theft, conflict of interest and conspiracy for allegedly using $1.3 million in public money and state resources to run political campaigns between 2001 and 2006.

Testimony is expected to begin Feb. 1 in Dauphin County Common Pleas Court.

Opps eight minutes ago Tracie tweeted


pgpolitweets 11th juror selected is an LPN at Hershey Medical Center. She is the 2nd Democrat seated. #bonusgate 8 minutes ago reply

Keep in mind that Tweets are updated at will so even this post may be behind. Enjoy.

Oh It May Be Warmer Here But The Heat In Harrisburg Is Flaming!!

As the Brett Coptt Bonusgate trial is about to start a defense lawyer decided that loud and profane outbursts would get him top billing on the net...he was right.

By MARK SCOLFORO,Associated Press Writer

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A defense lawyer in the Pennsylvania legislative corruption trial launched a loud and profane outburst against a state prosecutor in a Dauphin County courtroom Friday, shortly after a daylong pretrial hearing had ended.

Bryan Walk, who represents former House Democratic aide Brett Cott, accused Senior Deputy Attorney General Patrick Blessington of violating rules for lawyer conduct by encouraging one of Walk's other clients to hire a different lawyer.

Walk said the exchange began when Blessington came up to him and told Walk he should talk to that other client, but it drew attention among the 30 or so people in the courtroom when Walk told him loudly to "get out of my face."

"I don't know who the (expletive) you think you are," Walk said to him. Blessington's only visible reaction was to yawn widely.

Kevin Harley, a spokesman for the attorney general's office, said the accusation against Blessington was untrue.

"It appears that by attorney Walk's inappropriate outburst that he has an anger management problem," Harley said.

Michael Veon wants to tee-up Bill DeWeese as a witness in his trial which will start this week barring a negative ruling on the admissability of emails by the prosecution.

By Brad Bumsted
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, January 16, 2010

HARRISBURG -- An attorney for former Democratic Whip Mike Veon said Friday he intends to call former House Speaker Bill DeWeese as a witness at Veon's trial and suggested DeWeese was a leading co-conspirator in the legislative bonus scandal.

"If crimes were committed, not only is Mr. DeWeese a co-conspirator, he's the king," said Dan Raynak, Veon's lawyer. Raynak said he didn't know whether DeWeese, D-Waynesburg, would invoke his Fifth Amendment right not to testify.

Guess we won't have to wait for summer to see things heat up in Harrisburg.

In The Court Of Common Pleas Of Dauphin County PA

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

More Bad News For Bill DeWeese

On March 16, 2009 I wrote this post E-mail May Tie Bill DeWeese To Bonusgate Scandal. Prosecutors provided e-mails(as part of discovery) to defense attorney Bryan Walk, who represents former House Democrat staffer Brett Cott on charges of theft and conflict of interest. (Do we call the first twelve indicted "The Dirty Dozen"?) Back to the story.

It appears Walk had time to review the emails and is now leaking them to the press. Mario F. Cattabiani and Angela Couloumbis, Inquirer Staff Writers, authored a piece, Bonusgate records contradict DeWeese in the Philadelphia Inquirer today.

Since the Bonusgate corruption probe was launched two years ago, Rep. Bill DeWeese has adamantly and repeatedly denied knowing that taxpayer money secretly had been used to underwrite political campaigns.

But records turned over to defendants in the case by Attorney General Tom Corbett appear to paint a different picture of the onetime House Democratic leader, who has not been charged in the ongoing investigation.

Documents show that in 2006, facing a stiff challenge in an election that DeWeese nearly lost, his campaign tapped a state-paid computer consultant - a key figure in the Bonusgate probe - to perform a long list of political tasks.

Among other duties, that consultant crafted fund-raising invitations and sent out blast e-mails to constituents in DeWeese's district in the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania.

The documents, provided to The Inquirer by a defendant, also indicate that the Greene County Democrat exchanged campaign-related messages with his legislative staffers on state e-mail accounts.

The documents - more than 100 in all - were given to The Inquirer by Brett Cott, a former top aide to House Democrats who faces 42 corruption counts. As required by law, state prosecutors provided the documents to Cott and the other defendants as part of the discovery phase of the case.

Brett Cott was mentioned in my post back in March.

Eric Heyl's Take On The Casablanca Blog

Eric Heyl over at TribLive has an interesting piece on the Casablanca blog. He tries to make the case that Mike Veon, or those very close to him, may well be the authors of the blog.

It is worth a look.