Todd Eachus Denies Knowing About List For Bonuses

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.

More Bonusgate Highlights From Mike Veon's Court Filings

As you about to see Legislator X utilized state resources and state employees way before the Bonusgate period that is paramount in Attorney Tom Corbett's indictments of the participants. Legislator X maintained he was unaware of the alleged criminal activity when he interacted with the employees in an interview with a local newspaper last fall concerning Bonusgate. I beg to differ.

The term "lay of the land" refers to opposition research as described in the original presentment by AG Corbett.

What is being described is the use of state resources against Sean Shamany, Hazleton Area School District School Director who opposed Legislator X in 2004.

From: Winters, Chris
Sent: Friday, July 02, 2004 1:01P.M.
To: Hursh, Rachel; Kraber, C.C., Brubaker, Jennifer
Subject: I need assistance
Importance: High

Good Afternoon ladies! I hope you are all well.

I am working on the lay of the land for (Legislator X). I was curious if you have the opposition research done on his opponent. If so, may I please have it so I can finish this project?

Thank You.

Christopher Winters
Office of Member Services
717-783-4269

From: Brubaker, Jennifer
Sent: Friday, July 02, 2004 1:08P.M.
To: Winters, Chris
Cc: Hursh, Rachel; Kraber, C.C.
Subject: RE: I need you assistance...

No we do not. Per our conversations with Dan and Jess, due to session and scheduling issues, we were not able to do our trips to Monroe or Luzerne counties. Kevin Sidella and Jon Price had previously done the school board minutes for (Legislator X's) opponent, but I never received those. Dan and Jess had mentioned they may be able to get some courthouse/background check stuff done on their own. I have some newspaper articles, etc.

From: Winters, Chris (House Democratic Caucus address)
To: Brubacker, Jennifer
CC: Hush, Rachel: Kraber, C.C.
Sent 2004, 07.02 Fri, 13:15:24
Subject: RE: I need you assistance...

Attachments:

I completely understand. I will to get what I can from the gentlemen. If it helps, I will email Dan and Jess and I will go to (a Northeastern PA town) next week. I need to do my DO review anyway. It will help get some weight off your shoulders plus I can get done what I need to do at the same time. If you need anything else or any canadidate covered/researched, please do not hesitate to ask. You have been always so helpful to me: It is the least I can do to return the favor.

Christopher Winters
Office of Member Services
717-783-4269

Here is an email validating direct control by Legislator X.

From: Texter, Cameron (House Democratic Caucus email)
T0: Sidella, Kevin
Sent: 2006, 01,19 Thu, 15:15,09
Subject: Legislator X Reimbursement

Kevin:

I have a question for you. Jon Price and I had to do research for Legislator X. I cannot submit the travel expenses legislatively as we did not have the opportunity to visit Legislator X's office whatsoever, and Legislator X wanted us to let everyone know that we're there doing the research on his behalf and that of the HDCC.

Eric said he would speak to Manzo about getting reimbursed. Did anyone speak to you about it? Should I just deal with Eric and wait? My finances are in a condition that I need reimbursement as soon as possible. I made the trip last Thursday.

Please advise me on what course I should take on this matter.

Your are a true friend.

Thanks

Cameron

Cameron Texter
Office of Member Services
Room 604
Main Capitol
House Post Office Box 202020
The Capitol
Harrisburg, PA. 17120-2020
Telephone: Office (717) 772-9971, Cell (717) XXX-XXXX (I won't post that for obvious reasons)

Let's go back to 1998. Please note that 717-705-1920 is a House Democratic Caucus fax number.

Date: July 23, 1998

To: Joe Powers, HDCC
Fax Number: 705-1920

Mem: Joe, Legislator X fundraising efforts, JR

Chart showing Legislator X's fundraising at 13.2%


Date: Thursday, September 3, 1998

To: Joe Powers, HDCC
Fax Number: 705-1920

Memo: Final draft of Legislator X PACE ad. JR 457-2487

State Representative Legaislator X "Saving PACE"


FAX LETTER 9-21-95 Portable Space Letterhead Exeter, PA. It is worth noting that Legislator X was the owner of Portable Space.

To: Joe Powers

From: Legislator X

Comments: Confidential

Joe, Please call me about this as you can imagine I have a # of questions. Legislator X's initials.

Contract between Legislator X and J.R. Rostkowski and Judy Dessoye of "Northeast Campaigns" and "The Friends of Legislator X Committee"

Is J.R. Rostkowski the same one mentioned in this article as a per diem worker for Central Court?

This legislator has been using state resources and state employees on state time for a very long time. The magnitude of Bonusgate goes far beyond what AG Corbett is prosecuting.

In a time where Harrisburg has no budget, but a huge budget deficit, these actions only convince me that we do not need the size of the legislature, nor the amount of employees. They have created a culture and a machine geard towards elections, not soving the problems of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Eachus Subpoenaed In Bonusgate Trial

It was only a matter of time before this would happen. According to Brad Bumsted over at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Todd Eachus, House Majority Leader, has been subpoenaed in the trial of Mike Veon. On the issue of credibility Eachus paid off Veon's campaign debt uniltateralyso it will be interesting to see what impact his testimony may have in this case. Eachus's rhetoric in that matter was simply amazing.

I know PA Pundit has some questions.

State Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, is chair of the HDCC and authorized two payments. Three House Democrats who raise money for the HDCC – Rep. Joe Preston, D-Allegheny; Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny; and Rep. Jennifer Mann, D-Lehigh – said they were not consulted, although Eachus says he consulted with unnamed others in Democratic leadership before making the gifts.

Back to our regularly scheduled contributor on Bonusgate, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article,

Last week, Brett Marcy, spokesman for House Democrats, confirmed that DeWeese, of Greene County who is now the majority whip, and House Majority Leader Todd Eachus of Luzerne County, and Majority Caucus Secretary Jennifer Mann of Allentown were among those receiving defense subpoenas.

Mann, does she get around!!!

Eric Epstein over at the Central Penn Business Journal has a question for Mr. Eachus. However, the first order of business for Casey is to ask one question: "Mr. Eachus, when are you going to pay back the money my brother said you took illegally?"

Mike Veon Has More To Worry About

Brad Bumsted at the Tribune-Review highlights an obscure piece in the grand jury presentment against Mike Veon.

A little-noticed aspect of the March 25 state grand jury presentment against former House Democratic Whip Mike Veon is that his top aide has "flipped."

The new presentment suggests Foreman likely has cut a deal that might include immunity. That gives Attorney General Tom Corbett two key insiders -- Foreman and former Democratic Caucus Chief of Staff Mike Manzo -- who are prepared to testify. Manzo has agreed to plead guilty.

Stay tuned. It ain't over yet.