Eachus Hired Admitted Felon Robert Powell's Attorney Firm

In Jewish they would call this chutzpah. For the past month House Majority Leader Todd Eachus and the Pennsylvania Democratic Campaign Committee have been malicously attacking Tarah Toohil for representing a barber in Luzerne County Court. In addition they tried to tie her to one of the attorneys representing a judge in the Luzerne County corruption scandal just because his office is in the same building as Attorney Toohil's private solo practice.

In this article which appears on Law.com dated February 25, 2009 Attorney Richard Sprague from Philadelphia is mentioned as representing now admitted felon Robert Powell in that very case cited by Eachus and his politcal party campaign caucus.

Stacey Witalec, a spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, said the department's records show attorney Robert J. Powell, of The Powell Group in Drums, Pa., and Western Pennsylvania investment banker Gregory R. Zappala were owners of PA Child Care. Powell sold his interest in the company to Zappala last year, Witalec said.

The Citizens' Voice, a Wilkes-Barre, Pa., newspaper, has previously identified the builder as Robert S. Mericle, owner and president of Mericle Construction Inc.

A day before the judges appeared in federal court, attorneys for Powell acknowledged he was the former co-owner of the detention centers identified as Participant No. 1.

In a letter signed by Mark B. Sheppard of Sprague & Sprague in Philadelphia, Powell's lawyers said he had been unfairly portrayed in news reports on the corruption probe.

"First, it is grossly inaccurate to suggest that our client ever sought or had any influence in the sentencing of any juvenile offender. In fact, Bob Powell never offered to pay a single penny to these former judges. Instead, Bob Powell was a victim of their demands for payment," the letter says.

The letter goes on to say that, although Powell recognizes he made a mistake by not going to authorities, he remained silent about the judges' demands because they exerted pressure on Powell and his clients.

"The record will show that despite this, Powell not only refused the Judges' continued demands for additional payments, but ultimately reported the conduct to authorities," the letter says.

The letter, also signed by Richard A. Sprague and Geoffrey R. Johnson, says Powell is continuing to cooperate with authorities and is integral to the U.S. Attorney's prosecution of Ciavarella and Conahan.

On November 03, 2008 the House Democratic Caucus led by Todd Eachus hired Sprague and Sprague in a contract numbered HDC01111008 potentially worth $100,000.00. This contract provides for Sprague and Sprague to furnish legal services to the House Democratic Caucus. Total compensation for this contract shall not exceed $100,000.

The contract has no end date so presumably the HDC is still a client of Sprague and Sprague. Click on this link to the actual contract.

The audacity of the Eachus camp to employ such a stupid tactic with this information readily available to the public is mind boggling. Eachus actually hires Powell's attorney and he wants to tie Toohil to something just because she shares the same office building address as another attorney. Eachus flies for free on Powell's jet but he has the effrontery to open up this subject. Chutzpah,nahhh...arrogance, unashamed boldness, stupidity..closer...

Eachus Knew About Problems With Powell's Juvenile Facility In 2006- Casino Connection

In the Channel 13 debate between House Majority Leader Todd Eachus and formidable challenger Attorney Tarah Toohil, Eachus made the claim that he broke off ties with Robert Powell over the proposed cargo airport outside of Hazleton once he found out about the corruption. He also stated that "..not a penny of tax dollars went to that project."

Let's examine his claims and see if they pass the smell test.

First, the picture above is a scan of a disc/dvd presented to the press and attendees at the press conference held January 31, 2007 at 1:00P.M. to announce the proposed cargo airport by partner/now admitted felon Robert Powell. As you can see it was produced by the Legislative Communications Office and contains the "Seal of the House of Representatives". That proves Eachus lied about "not one penny of tax dollars went to that project."

Let's move on.

On October 14, 2009 the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice held a hearing at the Pennsylvania Judicial Center in Harrisburg. Here is a link to the transcript of that hearing.

Todd Eachus's testimony begins on page 28 of that transcript.

He was asked "Are you aware of any complaints that have been filed wither with the Disciplinary Board, which regulates attorneys; the Judicial Conduct Board, which regulates judges,; or any other governmental investigative agencies?" Eachus's response was "No, I'm not. But to Mr.--one of the Commissioner's questions, asa a member of the Northeast delegation, it would have been around 2006, we were briefed by the Department of Public Welfare, and there were a number of people who came before the delegation to talk about the increased rates of incarceration at the juvenile level in Luzerne County."

"I think they would have been led by Mr. Cohn, who is the legislative liason for the Department, still is, for the Rendell Administration. I can't recollect exactly who the others were within the department, but there was a significant spike in incarceration which, you know, retrospectively today having conversations with the administration did not get through in a way that helped changed the system."

He goes onto state "It is troubling though that that kind of data from a state agency couldn't get through to the court system in order to help rearticulate a direction or review of the juvenile system in Luzerne County."

When asked if there was any follow up meeting Eachus conveys who the delegation was at the time. "It would have been Representative Phyllis Mundy; Kevin Blaum; who is now retired; a number of other members of Luzerne County and northeast delegation who would have been part of that briefing by the Department."

There wasn't much we could do about it legislatively because the interaction was administrative and they said not to worry, that they were going to handle it. But they wanted to raise the concern with the delegation.

There wasn't much we could do about it but they wanted to raise the concern with the delegation. I don't believe I took that paragraph out of context.

By Judge Gibbons:

Q: Mr. Leader, do you have constituents that came to your office registering complaints during the operative time frame regarding what was going on in the juvenile justice system in Luzerne County?

Eachus: I had one couple, and I'm happy to do some research to provide the information. I looked back at it. It would have been somewhere in 2006. A young couple came to me relating to incarceration of their daughter. It would have been a young girl in high school age.

Q: Could you tell us what you did?

Eachus: Well, I reached out to the court administrator....The family expressed to me that -- that the young lady was incarcerated for this theft, that she did not have any jewelry in her possession.

They were unaware that she stole anything, but the terms of the incarceration wre that if she did not return the jewelry, that she would stay in the detention center, the juvenile detention center in Luzerne County, for an indeterminate period, which I thought was a strange practice as related to how young people in the juvenile system would be incarcerated."

"I inquired. And I can't tell you whether my inquiry helped or didn't, but I can check back on my records."

I inquired but can't tell you whether it helped or not. Shesh.

That testimony is some of the most inculpatory words regarding knowledge of plain old "something ain't right here" that should spark the offensive flames in any father's mind.

Let's get to the timeline here.

2006- Eachus is told about problems at the juvenile detention facility owned in part by now admitted felon Robert Powell.

He accepts this donation from Powell.
Contributor Date Amount
Robert Powell
Drums , PA 18222 6/12/2006 $340.00
Occupation: lawyer
Employer: PA
Description: Monetary Contribution-
Recipient: Friends of Todd Eachus
Report: 2006 Cycle 4

January 31, 2007- At 1:00P.M. there is a press conference to announce a proposed cargo airport outside of Hazleton. Representative Todd Eachus, Robert Powell, and Greg Skrepenak attended that conference among others.

January 31, 2007- Eachus accepts a ride on Robert Powell's jet from and to Harrisburg.

Then he accepts the following donation six days later from admitted felon Robert Powell's PAC.

February 6, 2007-
Contributor Date Amount
Conservatives for Good Government
Sugarloaf, PA 18249 2/8/2007 $5,000.00
Occupation: -
Employer: PA
Description: Monetary Contribution-
Recipient: Friends of Todd Eachus
Report: 2007 Cycle 2

On Jun 18, 2007 Representative Dwight Evans introduces a budget bill in the House. On June 28, 2007 Representative Todd Eachus offers an amendment to that bill inserting $250 million worth of funding for Powell's proposed cargo airport outside of Hazleton.

Eachus's claim that he broke off ties with Robert Powell once he found out about the corruption is classic misdirection to the public about his real knowledge. According to his sworn testimony he knew "things weren't right in Denmark" in 2006. His platitudes are incomprehensible and incompatible with common sense and basic values. He continued to accept contributions and rides on Powell's jet.

The following is flight activity for Robert Powell's jet, N69WU. Maybe Mr. Eachus could explain to the public whether he was on any of these flights. In particular did he fly to the Bahamas, San Salvador, or the trip to the Final Four in St. Louis or Las Vegas that occured the same trip in March, 2007?  Start from the bottom of the list up to follow the flights.

Activity Log
History Search for N69WU
Date Type Origin Destination Departure Arrival Duration
28-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Northeast Philadelphia (KPNE)
08:37AM EST 09:00AM EST 0:23
20-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
11:27AM EST 11:36AM EST 0:09
20-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Northeast Philadelphia (KPNE)
11:27AM EST Diverted
11-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Morristown Muni (KMMU)
Manchester (KMHT)
07:14PM EST 07:50PM EST 0:36
11-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Palm Beach Intl (KPBI)
Morristown Muni (KMMU)
04:13PM EST 06:22PM EST 2:09
11-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Palm Beach Intl (KPBI)
12:20PM EST 02:32PM EST 2:12
10-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Minot Intl (KMOT)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
04:50PM CST 08:13PM EST 2:23
10-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Saskatoon J G Diefenbaker Int'l (CYXE)
Minot Intl (KMOT)
09:22PM GMT 04:08PM CST 0:46
10-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Saskatoon J G Diefenbaker Int'l (CYXE)
11:17AM EST 08:15PM GMT 3:58
08-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Manchester (KMHT)
02:52PM EST 03:33PM EST 0:41
06-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Palm Beach Intl (KPBI)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
09:29PM EST 11:28PM EST 1:59
06-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Morristown Muni (KMMU)
Palm Beach Intl (KPBI)
05:37PM EST 08:49PM EST 3:12
06-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Pittsburgh Intl (KPIT)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
04:12PM EST 04:43PM EST 0:31
06-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Pittsburgh Intl (KPIT)
10:52AM EST 11:33AM EST 0:41
05-Nov-2007
SBR1/W Saskatoon J G Diefenbaker Int'l (CYXE)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
03:44PM GMT 01:49PM EST 3:05
05-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Saskatoon J G Diefenbaker Int'l (CYXE)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
03:44PM GMT result unknown (?)
n/a
04-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
Saskatoon J G Diefenbaker Int'l (CYXE)
05:20PM EST 02:10AM GMT (+1) 3:50
04-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Laurence G Hanscom Fld (KBED)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
03:50PM EST 04:43PM EST 0:53
04-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Laurence G Hanscom Fld (KBED)
02:06PM EST 02:58PM EST 0:52
02-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Laurence G Hanscom Fld (KBED)
Allegheny County (KAGC)
03:28PM EDT 04:35PM EDT 1:07
02-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
Laurence G Hanscom Fld (KBED)
01:26PM EDT 02:59PM EDT 1:33
02-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
Norwood Memorial (KOWD)
01:26PM EDT Diverted
01-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Allegheny County (KAGC)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
11:09AM EDT 11:39AM EDT 0:30
01-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Morristown Muni (KMMU)
Allegheny County (KAGC)
09:50AM EDT 10:44AM EDT 0:54
01-Nov-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Morristown Muni (KMMU)
09:00AM EDT 09:16AM EDT 0:16
17-Oct-2007
SBR1/L Morristown Muni (KMMU)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
04:35PM EDT 04:41PM EDT 0:06
17-Oct-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Morristown Muni (KMMU)
03:30PM EDT 03:57PM EDT 0:27
17-Oct-2007
SBR1/L Capital City (KCXY)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
03:02PM EDT 03:23PM EDT 0:21
17-Oct-2007
SBR1/L Morristown Muni (KMMU)
Capital City (KCXY)
10:02AM EDT 10:43AM EDT 0:41
17-Oct-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Morristown Muni (KMMU)
08:51AM EDT 09:08AM EDT 0:17
13-Oct-2007
SBR1/L Yampa Valley (KHDN)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
02:40PM MDT 07:41PM EDT 3:01
08-Oct-2007
SBR1/L Fort Dodge Rgnl (KFOD)
Yampa Valley (KHDN)
11:00AM CDT 10:30AM MDT 0:30
08-Oct-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Sidney Muni/Lloyd W. Carr Field (KSNY)
06:58AM EDT 08:19AM MDT 3:21
08-Oct-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Fort Dodge Rgnl (KFOD)
06:58AM EDT Diverted
02-Oct-2007
SBR1/L Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
09:20AM EDT 09:28AM EDT 0:08
02-Oct-2007
SBR1/L Northeast Philadelphia (KPNE)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
08:27AM EDT 08:50AM EDT 0:23
02-Oct-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Northeast Philadelphia (KPNE)
07:31AM EDT 07:55AM EDT 0:24
21-Sep-2007
SBR1/L Cincinnati Muni Airport Lunken Field (KLUK)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
06:26PM EDT 07:34PM EDT 1:08
21-Sep-2007
SBR1/L Northeast Philadelphia (KPNE)
Cincinnati Muni Airport Lunken Field (KLUK)
04:32PM EDT 05:47PM EDT 1:15
21-Sep-2007
SBR1/L Cincinnati Muni Airport Lunken Field (KLUK)
Northeast Philadelphia (KPNE)
09:34AM EDT 10:56AM EDT 1:22
21-Sep-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Cincinnati Muni Airport Lunken Field (KLUK)
06:58AM EDT 08:08AM EDT 1:10
15-Sep-2007
SBR1/L Norwood Memorial (KOWD)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
01:36PM EDT 01:48PM EDT 0:12
15-Sep-2007
SBR1/L Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
Norwood Memorial (KOWD)
12:26PM EDT 01:14PM EDT 0:48
15-Sep-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
11:22AM EDT 11:29AM EDT 0:07
14-Sep-2007
SBR1/L Butler County/K W Scholter Field (KBTP)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
01:58PM EDT result unknown (?)
n/a
14-Sep-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Butler County/K W Scholter Field (KBTP)
12:48PM EDT 01:36PM EDT 0:48
07-Sep-2007
SBR1/L Morristown Muni (KMMU)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
09:30AM EDT 09:38AM EDT 0:08
07-Sep-2007 SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Morristown Muni (KMMU)
08:39AM EDT 08:42AM EDT n/a
07-Sep-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Morristown Muni (KMMU)
08:30AM EDT 08:31AM EDT 0:01
06-Sep-2007
SBR1/L Fort Lauderdale Executive (KFXE)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
07:06PM EDT 09:25PM EDT 2:19
29-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Fort Lauderdale Executive (KFXE)
06:16AM EDT 08:38AM EDT 2:22
28-Aug-2007
SBR1/G Morristown Muni (KMMU)
Pittsburgh Intl (KPIT)
10:30AM EDT 11:24AM EDT 0:54
20-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Monmouth Executive (KBLM)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
05:36PM EDT 06:16PM EDT 0:40
20-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Morristown Muni (KMMU)
Monmouth Executive (KBLM)
04:29PM EDT 04:39PM EDT 0:10
20-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Morristown Muni (KMMU)
03:46PM EDT 04:03PM EDT 0:17
20-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Monmouth Executive (KBLM)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
12:04PM EDT 12:36PM EDT 0:32
20-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Morristown Muni (KMMU)
Monmouth Executive (KBLM)
11:37AM EDT 11:49AM EDT 0:12
20-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Morristown Muni (KMMU)
09:59AM EDT 10:16AM EDT 0:17
19-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Manchester (KMHT)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
07:46PM EDT 08:36PM EDT 0:50
19-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Charleston Afb/Intl (KCHS)
Manchester (KMHT)
05:21PM EDT 07:20PM EDT 1:59
19-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Charleston Afb/Intl (KCHS)
02:42PM EDT 04:13PM EDT 1:31
17-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Charleston Afb/Intl (KCHS)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
01:44PM EDT 03:10PM EDT 1:26
17-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Charleston Afb/Intl (KCHS)
11:25AM EDT 12:48PM EDT 1:23
16-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Morristown Muni (KMMU)
05:04PM EDT result unknown (?)
n/a
16-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Manchester (KMHT)
05:04PM EDT Diverted
13-Aug-2007
N265/A Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Manchester (KMHT)
03:20PM EDT 03:33PM EDT 0:13
10-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Laurence G Hanscom Fld (KBED)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
02:00PM EDT 02:51PM EDT 0:51
10-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Laurence G Hanscom Fld (KBED)
12:24PM EDT 01:07PM EDT 0:43
09-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Rapid City Rgnl (KRAP)
Morristown Muni (KMMU)
09:44AM MDT 02:34PM EDT 2:50
06-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Buffalo Niagara Intl (KBUF)
Rapid City Rgnl (KRAP)
10:10AM EDT 11:04AM MDT 2:54
06-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Morristown Muni (KMMU)
Buffalo Niagara Intl (KBUF)
08:47AM EDT 09:37AM EDT 0:50
06-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Morristown Muni (KMMU)
07:50AM EDT 08:14AM EDT 0:24
02-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Republic (KFRG)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
12:43PM EDT 01:15PM EDT 0:32
02-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Republic (KFRG)
11:39AM EDT 12:14PM EDT 0:35
01-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Republic (KFRG)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
05:31PM EDT 06:07PM EDT 0:36
01-Aug-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Republic (KFRG)
04:41PM EDT 05:19PM EDT 0:38
28-Jul-2007
SBR1/L Morristown Muni (KMMU)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
01:07PM EDT 01:26PM EDT 0:19
28-Jul-2007
SBR1/L Cape May County (KWWD)
Morristown Muni (KMMU)
12:01PM EDT 12:37PM EDT 0:36
28-Jul-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Cape May County (KWWD)
10:03AM EDT 10:45AM EDT 0:42
23-Jul-2007
SBR1/L Capital City (KLAN)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
04:04PM EDT 05:13PM EDT 1:09
23-Jul-2007
SBR1/L St Paul Downtown Holman Fld (KSTP)
Capital City (KLAN)
10:12AM CDT 12:14PM EDT 1:02
23-Jul-2007
SBR1/L St Paul Downtown Holman Fld (KSTP)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
10:12AM CDT Diverted
23-Jul-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
St Paul Downtown Holman Fld (KSTP)
08:25AM EDT 09:27AM CDT 2:02
19-Jul-2007
SBR1/L Cape May County (KWWD)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
09:27AM EDT 09:58AM EDT 0:31
19-Jul-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Cape May County (KWWD)
08:46AM EDT 09:14AM EDT 0:28
18-Jul-2007
SBR1/L Monmouth Executive (KBLM)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
07:19PM EDT 07:45PM EDT 0:26
16-Jul-2007
SBR1/L Cincinnati Muni Airport Lunken Field (KLUK)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
04:46PM EDT 05:43PM EDT 0:57
16-Jul-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Cincinnati Muni Airport Lunken Field (KLUK)
03:13PM EDT 04:28PM EDT 1:15
14-Jul-2007
SBR1/L Newport News/Williamsburg Intl (KPHF)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
03:37PM EDT 04:33PM EDT 0:56
14-Jul-2007
SBR1/L Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
Newport News/Williamsburg Intl (KPHF)
11:35AM EDT 12:20PM EDT 0:45
14-Jul-2007
SBR1/L Waukegan Rgnl (KUGN)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
08:49AM CDT 11:05AM EDT 1:16
14-Jul-2007
SBR1/L Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
Waukegan Rgnl (KUGN)
07:34AM EDT 08:16AM CDT 1:42
02-Jul-2007
SBR1/L Columbus Muni (KBAK)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
11:46AM EDT 12:54PM EDT 1:08
02-Jul-2007
SBR1/L Morristown Muni (KMMU)
Columbus Muni (KBAK)
06:42AM EDT 09:08AM EDT 2:26
27-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Martin State (KMTN)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
07:31AM EDT 07:54AM EDT 0:23
27-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Martin State (KMTN)
06:43AM EDT 07:03AM EDT 0:20
26-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Pittsburgh Intl (KPIT)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
02:13PM EDT 02:42PM EDT 0:29
26-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Pittsburgh Intl (KPIT)
10:24AM EDT 10:58AM EDT 0:34
19-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Wilmington Intl (KILM)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
04:23PM EDT 05:32PM EDT 1:09
19-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Marsh Harbour (MYAM)
Wilmington Intl (KILM)
06:30PM GMT result unknown (?)
n/a
19-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Marsh Harbour (MYAM)
10:48AM EDT 04:53PM GMT 2:05
15-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Wilmington Intl (KILM)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
05:50PM EDT 06:55PM EDT 1:05
15-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Marsh Harbour (MYAM)
Wilmington Intl (KILM)
08:04PM GMT 05:11PM EDT 1:07
15-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Marsh Harbour (MYAM)
12:25PM EDT 07:14PM GMT 2:49
13-Jun-2007
N265/L Monmouth Executive (KBLM)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
03:55PM EDT 04:57PM EDT 1:02
13-Jun-2007
N265/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Morristown Muni (KMMU)
03:20PM EDT 03:45PM EDT 0:25
13-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Monmouth Executive (KBLM)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
09:57AM EDT 10:36AM EDT 0:39
13-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Pittsburgh Intl (KPIT)
Monmouth Executive (KBLM)
07:23AM EDT 08:29AM EDT 1:06
13-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Pittsburgh Intl (KPIT)
06:19AM EDT 06:56AM EDT 0:37
10-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Monmouth Executive (KBLM)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
06:31PM EDT 07:02PM EDT 0:31
10-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Monmouth Executive (KBLM)
04:42PM EDT 05:14PM EDT 0:32
09-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Monmouth Executive (KBLM)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
11:08AM EDT result unknown (?)
n/a
09-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Monmouth Executive (KBLM)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
11:08AM EDT Diverted
09-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
Monmouth Executive (KBLM)
10:03AM EDT 10:27AM EDT 0:24
04-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Morristown Muni (KMMU)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
12:36PM EDT 01:02PM EDT 0:26
04-Jun-2007
SBR1/L New Castle (KILG)
Morristown Muni (KMMU)
11:30AM EDT 12:01PM EDT 0:31
04-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Allegheny County (KAGC)
New Castle (KILG)
10:05AM EDT 10:44AM EDT 0:39
04-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Buffalo Niagara Intl (KBUF)
Allegheny County (KAGC)
09:13AM EDT 09:46AM EDT 0:33
04-Jun-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Buffalo Niagara Intl (KBUF)
07:45AM EDT 08:17AM EDT 0:32
03-Jun-2007
SBR/L Buffalo Niagara Intl (KBUF)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
01:27PM EDT 01:57PM EDT 0:30
03-Jun-2007
SBR/L New Castle (KILG)
Buffalo Niagara Intl (KBUF)
12:18PM EDT 01:02PM EDT 0:44
23-May-2007
SBR1/L Wilmington Intl (KILM)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
07:20PM EDT 08:12PM EDT 0:52
23-May-2007
SBR1/L Nassau Int'l (MYNN)
Wilmington Intl (KILM)
09:21PM GMT 06:45PM EDT 1:24
23-May-2007
SBR1/A San Salvador (MYSM)
Nassau Int'l (MYNN)
08:05PM GMT 09:43PM GMT 1:38
23-May-2007
SBR1/G Nassau Int'l (MYNN)
San Salvador (MYSM)
07:21PM GMT 07:48PM GMT 0:27
23-May-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Nassau Int'l (MYNN)
12:13PM EDT 06:27PM GMT 2:14
21-May-2007
SBR1/L Wilmington Intl (KILM)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
03:57PM EDT 05:04PM EDT 1:07
21-May-2007
SBR1/G Nassau Int'l (MYNN)   <----------Bahamas
Wilmington Intl (KILM)
05:54PM GMT 03:20PM EDT 1:26
21-May-2007
SBR1/L Nassau Int'l (MYNN)
Wilmington Intl (KILM)
02:28PM GMT result unknown (?)
n/a
21-May-2007
SBR1/L Nassau Int'l (MYNN)
San Salvador (MYSM)
02:28PM GMT Diverted
20-May-2007
SBR1/L San Salvador (MYSM)
Nassau Int'l (MYNN)
11:05PM GMT 12:13AM GMT (+1) 1:08
20-May-2007
SBR1/L Marsh Harbour (MYAM)
Wilmington Intl (KILM)
10:28PM GMT 06:32PM EDT 0:04
20-May-2007
SBR1/L Morristown Muni (KMMU)
Marsh Harbour (MYAM)
02:31PM EDT 09:35PM GMT 3:04
16-May-2007
SBR1/L Allegheny County (KAGC)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
08:56PM EDT 08:59PM EDT 0:03
16-May-2007
SBR1/L Washington Dulles Intl (KIAD)
Allegheny County (KAGC)
07:59PM EDT 08:36PM EDT 0:37
16-May-2007
SBR1/L Washington Dulles Intl (KIAD)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
07:59PM EDT Diverted
16-May-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Washington Dulles Intl (KIAD)
05:38PM EDT 06:08PM EDT 0:30
16-May-2007
SBR1/F Washington Dulles Intl (KIAD)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
11:48AM EDT 12:16PM EDT 0:28
16-May-2007
SBR1/L Morristown Muni (KMMU)
Washington Dulles Intl (KIAD)
10:32AM EDT 11:13AM EDT 0:41
11-May-2007
SBR1/L Atlantic City Intl (KACY)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
05:33PM EDT 06:03PM EDT 0:30
11-May-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Atlantic City Intl (KACY)
04:42PM EDT 07:00PM EDT 2:18
10-May-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Northeast Philadelphia (KPNE)
01:56PM EDT 02:22PM EDT 0:26
18-Apr-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Northeast Philadelphia (KPNE)
11:46AM EDT 12:09PM EDT 0:23
14-Apr-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Greater Binghamton/Edwin A Link Field (KBGM)
08:56AM EDT 08:55AM EDT n/a
10-Apr-2007
SBR1/L Orlando Intl (KMCO)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
01:51PM EDT result unknown (?)
n/a
10-Apr-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Orlando Intl (KMCO)
09:50AM EDT 12:15PM EDT 2:25
09-Apr-2007
SBR1/L Daytona Beach Intl (KDAB)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
02:53PM EDT 04:48PM EDT 1:55
09-Apr-2007
SBR1/L Reina Beatrix Int'l (TNCA)
Daytona Beach Intl (KDAB)
03:24PM GMT 02:23PM EDT 2:59
09-Apr-2007
SBR1/G Fort Lauderdale Executive (KFXE)
Reina Beatrix Int'l (TNCA)      <----------------------Aruba
07:22AM EDT result unknown (?)
n/a
01-Apr-2007
SBR1/I Reina Beatrix Int'l (TNCA)
Fort Lauderdale Executive (KFXE)
08:44PM GMT 06:45PM EDT 2:01
01-Apr-2007
SBR1/G Daytona Beach Intl (KDAB)
Reina Beatrix Int'l (TNCA)
11:19AM EDT result unknown (?)
n/a
01-Apr-2007
SBR1/L Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
Daytona Beach Intl (KDAB)
08:31AM EDT 10:39AM EDT 2:08
25-Mar-2007
SBR1/L Lambert-St Louis Intl (KSTL)
Morristown Muni (KMMU)
07:42PM CDT 10:37PM EDT 1:55
25-Mar-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Lambert-St Louis Intl (KSTL)
06:21PM EDT 07:14PM CDT 1:53
25-Mar-2007
SBR1/L Mc Carran Intl (KLAS)     <-----------Las Vegas
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
10:07AM PDT 05:20PM EDT 4:13
23-Mar-2007
SBR1/L Lambert-St Louis Intl (KSTL)   <---------Final Four
Mc Carran Intl (KLAS)
01:12PM CDT 02:28PM PDT 3:16
23-Mar-2007
SBR1/L Morristown Muni (KMMU)
Lambert-St Louis Intl (KSTL)     <-----------Final Four
10:48AM EDT 12:10PM CDT 2:22
23-Mar-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Morristown Muni (KMMU)
09:52AM EDT 10:17AM EDT 0:25
22-Mar-2007
SBR1/L Mc Carran Intl (KLAS)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
09:54AM PDT 04:48PM EDT 3:54
21-Mar-2007
SBR1/L Garden City Rgnl (KGCK)
Mc Carran Intl (KLAS)
11:32AM CDT 11:37AM PDT 2:05
21-Mar-2007
SBR1/L Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
Garden City Rgnl (KGCK)
09:03AM EDT 11:06AM CDT 3:03
14-Mar-2007
SBR1/L Allegheny County (KAGC)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
06:45PM EDT 07:14PM EDT 0:29
14-Mar-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Allegheny County (KAGC)
05:56PM EDT 06:37PM EDT 0:41
09-Mar-2007
SBR1/F Wilmington Intl (KILM)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
01:49PM EST 02:36PM EST 0:47
09-Mar-2007
SBR1/Q Princess Juliana Int'l (TNCM)
Wilmington Intl (KILM)
02:41PM GMT 01:08PM EST 3:27
06-Mar-2007
SBR1/W Wilmington Intl (KILM)
Princess Juliana Int'l (TNCM)
09:08AM EST 05:10PM GMT 3:02
06-Mar-2007
SBR1/L Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
Wilmington Intl (KILM)
07:19AM EST 08:24AM EST 1:05
06-Mar-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Intl (KAVP)
06:29AM EST 06:36AM EST 0:07
02-Mar-2007
SBR1/L Pittsburgh Intl (KPIT)
Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
05:49PM EST result unknown (?)
n/a
02-Mar-2007
SBR1/L Pittsburgh Intl (KPIT)
Morristown Muni (KMMU)
05:49PM EST Diverted
02-Mar-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Muni (KHZL)
Pittsburgh Intl (KPIT)
04:50PM EST 05:31PM EST 0:41
28-Feb-2007
SBR1/L Hartsfield - Jackson Atlanta Intl (KATL)
Allegheny County (KAGC)
04:19PM EST 05:36PM EST 1:17
28-Feb-2007
SBR1/L Morristown Municipal (KMMU)
Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Int'l (KATL)
08:39AM EST 10:34AM EST 1:55
28-Feb-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Municipal (KHZL)
Morristown Municipal (KMMU)
07:50AM EST 08:12AM EST 0:22
07-Feb-2007
SBR1/L Wiley Post (KPWA)
Hazleton Municipal (KHZL)
06:05PM CST 09:17PM EST 2:12
07-Feb-2007
SBR1/L Austin Bergstrom Int'l (KAUS)
Wiley Post (KPWA)
04:19PM CST 05:21PM CST 1:02
06-Feb-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Municipal (KHZL)
Austin Bergstrom Int'l (KAUS)
05:30PM EST 08:03PM CST 3:33
02-Feb-2007
SBR1/L Capital City (KCXY)    <---------Harrisburg
Hazleton Municipal (KHZL)
10:34AM EST 10:48AM EST 0:14
02-Feb-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Municipal (KHZL)
Capital City (KCXY)                 <----------Harriburg
08:35AM EST 08:56AM EST 0:21
31-Jan-2007
SBR1/L Capital City (KCXY)   <------Harrisburg
Allegheny Co (KAGC)
04:15PM EST 05:10PM EST 0:55
26-Jan-2007
SBR1/L Allegheny Co (KAGC)
Hazleton Municipal (KHZL)
01:59PM EST 02:29PM EST 0:30
26-Jan-2007
SBR1/L Hazleton Municipal (KHZL)
Allegheny Co (KAGC)
12:43PM EST 01:26PM EST 0:43

If you are still with this article there is more. As part of the House Democratic Caucus Mr. Eachus and Company hired the law firm of Sprague and Sprague, the same firm that represented admitted felon Robert Powell in 2008. He not only hired Richard Sprague but also sat in audience with him as Sprague "educated" him on the casino industry.

Sprague said his own outreach to legislators was limited to personal visits in 2008 with eight senators and representatives, including House Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D., Luzerne) and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R., Delaware).

"When I went to each of them," Sprague said, "my opening statement was 'I am here, and I don't want you to do a thing for me. . . . I'm here to introduce myself.' "

You may also recall the connection between Sprague, Powell, and other judges in the Luzerne County courthouse who testified against former Judge Ann Lokuta.

Betty Roccograndi of the Times Leader wrote December 7,2008 The links between Sprague, Powell, Conahan and other Powell pals who testified against Lokuta is disturbing, and any fair-minded person has to wonder whether Sprague’s objectivity was clouded even a little bit.

The Citizen's Voice printed this observation in May, 2010.

Richard A. Sprague, a prominent Philadelphia case, remained on the case despite representing former Drums attorney Robert J. Powell, who has pleaded guilty to paying kickbacks to two former Luzerne County judges.

That relationship has compromised Sprague's ability to conduct a fair and impartial hearing, Lokuta's attorneys, George A. Michak and Ronald V. Santora, said in an appeal filed today with the state Supreme Court.

The depth of the connections continue. Mark Sheppard, formerly of Sprauge and Sprague representing Robert Powell on former Judge Michael Toole.

When asked if Toole had taken a payoff from Powell, one of Powell's attorneys, Mark B. Sheppard, formerly of Sprague & Sprague and now a partner at Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads, said he could not comment.

"It would be inappropriate for our client or I to comment at this time, except to say that Mr. Powell continues to cooperate fully with any investigation," Sheppard said.

Sheppard, along with other attorneys from Sprague & Sprague, had previously authored a letter released to the media in February disputing the notion that the money Powell paid to Conahan and Ciavarella amounted to kickbacks, and instead said that Powell was the victim of a judicial shakedown.

"First, it is grossly inaccurate to suggest that our client ever sought or had any influence in the sentencing of any juvenile offender. In fact, Bob Powell never offered to pay a single penny to these former judges. Instead, Bob Powell was a victim of their demands for payment," the letter said.

Got off the beaten path so back to the casino business.  Look how Eachus helped one particular casino.  Although Foxwoods is not part of the association where Sprague is involved this story may point to the reason tavern owners are having such a hard time getting small games of chance legislation passed in Harrisburg that would help save their industry and jobs.

How Foxwoods got a leg up

Time was not on the casino's side. Access to heavy hitters was.
By Jennifer Lin, Mario F. Cattabiani, and Amy Worden

Inquirer Staff Writers

Autumn was make-or-break time for the Foxwoods Casino in Philadelphia.

Opposition in neighborhoods and City Hall had stalled the project. Lenders had grown wary as casinos elsewhere struggled. State regulators set a final deadline: Foxwoods had to open by May 2011, or lose its license.

Foxwoods needed help in Harrisburg.

So its lawyer and lobbyist, Stephen A. Cozen, turned to an old friend whose campaigns he had generously supported: Gov. Rendell.

Then Cozen called on legislative leaders - Democrats Todd Eachus and Dwight Evans in the House, Republican Dominic Pileggi in the Senate. It was as if someone had drawn Cozen a map. Indeed, someone had.

"I advised him to talk to everyone in leadership, on both sides of the aisle," Rendell remembered.

By December, a 42-word sentence appeared on Page 55 of the 230-page bill to legalize poker and other table games at Pennsylvania casinos.

It said the state Gaming Control Board could extend a casino's license for "36 months . . . or December 31, 2012."

Those words spelled hope for Foxwoods' future.

Cozen said Gerber had suggested he talk to the House majority leader, Eachus (D., Luzerne). Later, Gerber began checking in with negotiators about the Foxwoods extension - not to lobby, Gerber said, but just to get progress reports.

An anxious Cozen phoned the House majority leader.

Eachus said Cozen had voiced concern about rising resistance from local lawmakers. (In a recent interview, Eachus defended the bill, saying casinos unbuilt meant state revenue uncollected. "It's a balance-sheet issue.")

He assured Cozen the Foxwoods language would stay..

I will end this post by returning to the open ended contract let out by the House Democratic Caucus to Sprague and Sprague in the amount not to exceed $100,000.00. It commenced on November 03, 2008 with no end date. The HDC was to inform the firm when it no longer needed its services.

Guess it didn't pass the smell test did it?

House Democratic Caucus Has Legal Appetite

Treasury Secretary Jack McCord has a link on his website for the public to search contracts made by Commonwealth Agencies. SOP performed a search of contracts made by the House Democratic Caucus. Since 2008 there are 12 legal firms who have been hired in a total of 27 contracts and amendments. The total cost to the taxpayers was $1,183,180.00.

There are several interesting contracts that SOP found in its research.

Christopher Casey was hired by Todd Eachus to serve as outside counsel to him according to this report by Robert Swift of the Times-Tribune in December, 2008. Chris Casey, the brother of U.S. Senator Robert Casey, is a partner at Dilworth Paxson LLP.

Christopher Casey is a partner in the Litigation, Corporate Investigations/White Collar, and Media Law Practice Groups. He represents companies, governmental entities and individuals in a broad range of counseling and litigation matters, involving such areas as antitrust, securities, contracts, property disputes, fraud, and political corruption.

These contracts were let out by the House Democratic Caucus with Dilworth Paxson, LLP. Contract Number HDC01021009 had a term of December 01, 2008 to January 16, 2009 not to exceed $100,000.00. Another contract, Number HDC02021009 was approved for Dilworth Paxson, LLP with a term from January 15, 2009 to March 02, 2009 not to exceed $50,000.00. Contract Number 4HDC05031009 termed from March 03, 2009 to June 30,2009 not to exceed $150,000.00 for Dilworth Paxson, LLP. There were two amendments to that contract. The first amendment, HDC02072209 went from July 01.2009 to December 31, 2009 not to exceed $150,000.00. The second amendment, HDC01121009, was for another $50,000 limit extending from December 03, 2009 to December 31, 2010.

Patrick Casey of Scranton is a partner is the legal firm Myeres, Brier, and Kelly. Attorney Casey represents Louis Pagnotti III. Questions on whether his client cooperated in the federal probe looking into corruption at the Luzerne County Courthouse were met with a "No Comment" according to this Legal Intelligencer article appearing on Law.com from June, 2009.

Pat Casey has served as lead counsel in federal jury trials involving charges of bank fraud; ERISA fraud; wire fraud; mail fraud; check fraud; credit card fraud; tax evasion; counterfeit; obstruction of justice; and other monetary crimes.

Myers, Brier, and Kelly were the recipients of contracts let out by the House Democratic Caucus of Pennsylvania as well. Contract number HDC02031909 had a term of December 01, 2008 to June 30, 2009 in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00. An amendment to the original contract extended the term from December 01, 2009 to December 31, 2010 in the same amount of $50,000.00.

It peaks the curiosity that the House Democratic Caucus in Harrisburg would hire a firm in Scranton. As previously reported the HDC also hired the firm of Sprague and Sprague from Philadelphia who represented Robert Powell in the Luzerne County Courthouse corruption probe. The total amount not to exceed in that contract was $100,000.00. It commenced on November 03, 2008 with no end date. The HDC was to inform the firm when it no longer needed its services.

Since all contracts are confidential as to the nature of the scope of work we can only surmise from the areas of practice of the lawyers hired as to the nature of the need for engagement.

On February 10, 2009 Eachus announced the appointment of Attorney Laura Kuller as his chief of staff at salary of $161,000 and Attorney Nora Winkelman as his chief counsel at a salary of $149,900 according to John Micek's March, 2009 column over at Capital Ideas . He must have this need to be surrounded by high priced attorneys.

Mr. Eachus should explain to the public as to the nature of these contracts. Of course he has yet to answer questions about Bonusgate so I wouldn't hold my breath he would be forthcoming anytime soon.

Sprague And Sprague Connection To Todd Eachus

Trial lawyer Richard Sprague, a member of the legal firm Sprague and Sprague, represented Robert Powell in the Kids For Cash scheme that is part of the Luzerne County corruption scandal. He was also represented by Mark Sheppard, formerly of Sprague and Sprague according to this article that appeard on Law.com from The Legal Intelligencer. The article dealt with the F.B.I. putting its sights on now former Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael Toole.

When asked if Toole had taken a payoff from Powell, one of Powell's attorneys, Mark B. Sheppard, formerly of Sprague & Sprague and now a partner at Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads, said he could not comment.

Law.com features another story from The Legal Intelligencer dated February 13, 2009. It details a letter signed by Attorney Richard Sprague on behalf of Robert Powell in connection with the ongoing probe.

In a letter signed by Mark B. Sheppard of Sprague & Sprague in Philadelphia, Powell's lawyers said he had been unfairly portrayed in news reports on the corruption probe.

"First, it is grossly inaccurate to suggest that our client ever sought or had any influence in the sentencing of any juvenile offender. In fact, Bob Powell never offered to pay a single penny to these former judges. Instead, Bob Powell was a victim of their demands for payment," the letter says.

The letter goes on to say that, although Powell recognizes he made a mistake by not going to authorities, he remained silent about the judges' demands because they exerted pressure on Powell and his clients.

"The record will show that despite this, Powell not only refused the Judges' continued demands for additional payments, but ultimately reported the conduct to authorities," the letter says.

The letter, also signed by Richard A. Sprague and Geoffrey R. Johnson, says Powell is continuing to cooperate with authorities and is integral to the U.S. Attorney's prosecution of Ciavarella and Conahan.

What does all of this information have to do with Todd Eachus?

On February 3, 2010 Jennifer Lin of the Philadelphia Inquirer penned this article about lawyer Richard Sprague's testimony before two dozen legislators who grilled him, wanting to know just what his group - the Pennsylvania Casino Association - was up to.

The casino group sent big names into yesterday's hearing: Sprague, whose career as a prosecutor and defense lawyer dates to the 1950s, and PCA's adviser, Stephen A. Zappala - a former chief justice of the state Supreme Court.

During the joint hearing of the House Gaming Oversight Committee and the Senate Committee on Community, Economic and Recreational Development, Sprague conceded that last fall, in the heat of the debate over changing the state's gaming law to allow poker and other table games, his trade group sent three e-mails to all legislators in an effort to budge them on two points of contention: proposed tax rates for table games, and adding more licenses for so-called resort casinos.

He said that was lobbying - but not to a degree that would trip the 2007 law's rules for registering publicly.

The casino association also has drawn particular attention from lawmakers because of its staff. Sprague said he initially brought in Zappala, the former chief justice, as "chair of the association," while Michele Zappala Peck, his daughter, is its director of operations.

In addition, Lisa DeNaples, a principal and financial backer of the Mount Airy casino, is a director of PCA.

Sprague said Zappala brought stature to PCA. "The fact I have Chief Justice Zappala with me is what gives me a voice," he said.

Zappala said he did not lobby lawmakers.

Sprague said his own outreach to legislators was limited to personal visits in 2008 with eight senators and representatives, including House Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D., Luzerne) and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R., Delaware).

"When I went to each of them," Sprague said, "my opening statement was 'I am here, and I don't want you to do a thing for me. . . . I'm here to introduce myself.' "

The purpose of his calls? To see "who does what and who's on which side.".

Treasury Secretary Jack McCord's website has a feature where the public can search state contracts called e-Contracts. There is a very interesting piece of information concerning Mr. Sprague's firm and Mr. Eachus.

On November 03, 2008 the House Democratic Caucus awarded Contract Number HDC01111008 not to exceed $100,000.00 in billing to Sprague and Sprague. There is no end date on the contract. The House Democratic Caucus will inform Sprague and Sprague when it no longer desires it services according to page 3 of the document.

Was it convenient that Attorney Sprague didn't mention this fact during his testimony or was it unknown to all those present that Mr. Eachus as well as all of the House Democratic Members of the House Gaming Oversight Committee were being or had been represented by Attorney Sprague's firm? I seriously doubt the second part is plausable.

The question that the media should be asking is whether the engagement of the Sprague firm by the House Democratic Caucus is any way connected to the Robert Powell investigation and are the taxpayers of the Commonwealth paying for Mr. Eachus's possible defense in Bonusgate or any other matter?

Maybe Mr. Eachus should explain to the public which side he is on?

The ending to the story concerning Attorney Sprague and the Pennsylvania Casino Association? Pennsylvania Casino Association Registers with State

Zappala Name Comes Up In Casino News

It can mystify the mind when one expands reading the newspaper reports beyond this area. While spending time at Heinz Field to watch Brett Favre lose his first game this season an article that appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by Tracie Mauriello struck the inquisitive brain cells. -Zappalas hold posts at casino association

During the final days of state budget negotiations, a flurry of press releases was sent to media, letters were sent to lawmakers and radio ads were sent over airwaves, all advocating low tax rates and license fees for casino table games.

One statement threatened that four large casinos would sue the state if smaller ones were allowed to increase the number of slot machines at their locations.

The communications all emanated from The Pennsylvania Casino Association, which has been run for the last two years by former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Stephen A. Zappala Sr. and his daughter Michele Zappala Peck, who is running for Allegheny Common Pleas Court.

Although The Pennsylvania Casino Association incorporated in May 2007, it's been virtually invisible until this month even though it is in the hands of a powerful and prominent political family with ties to Harrisburg power brokers.

The article describes former Justice Zappala's role in the non profit association. It appears to make the case that his actions were not that much dissimilar to those of a lobbyist. Zappala's ties to Vincent Fumo are mentioned as an example of his connections that may be beneficial to gaming interests. Then it gets more interesting.

Chuck Hardy, who represents Pittsburgh's The Rivers casino on the association's three-member board, signed the 2007 and 2008 tax returns that give the association federal tax-exempt status. He said he was never involved in any discussion about keeping the Zappala name off public records.

Mr. Hardy -- who works for the Philadelphia law firm Sprague & Sprague and said he is counsel for Philadelphia's SugarHouse casino -- said the 990 tax forms were prepared by an accountant. He said he didn't believe Mr. Zappala needed to be included on the required listing of officers, directors, trustees and key employees because he wasn't "the kind of officer you needed to report."

IRS filing instructions, however, stipulate that executive directors are among those who must be listed along with officers who have voting rights and employees who control an organization's activities or finances.

For those that don't recall, Richard Sprague presided over former Judge Ann Lokuta's case. He also represents Robert Powell, key figure in the Luzerne County corruption scandal. Sprauge refused to recuse himself in the Lokuta proceedings.

Sprague also represented Powell and PA Child Care in a 2004 lawsuit against Luzerne County Controller Stephen L. Flood, over his opposition to the county's $58 million contract with PA Child Care.

In a filing by Lokuta she makes the following assertions.

"Judge Sprague and his law firm have committed years of representation to the task of protecting the interests of Powell, PA Childcare, and their associates, and keeping their activities from public scrutiny in the light of day," Lokuta's 133-page filing says. "Judge Sprague's control over the record in this matter afforded him the opportunity to continue to shield Powell, PA Childcare and their associates from disclosures that -- while supporting Lokuta's contentions and defenses -- would have exposed the illicit conduct in which Judge Sprague's clients were participants."

In case you didn't catch it, Richard Sprague is Chuck Hardy's boss. If you read the entire article you will discover that Richard Sprague is part-owner of the SugarHouse casino. What a tangled mess. The part that is intriguing is how small a world it is when the same names keep coming up over and over again in what should be unrealted issues.

"Mount Airy owner Lisa DeNaples is a member of the board along with Mr. Hardy and Mr. Hardy's boss, Richard A. Sprague, who is part-owner of SugarHouse and is a powerful Philadelphia lawyer who has represented prominent power brokers including Mr. Fumo.

Jonathan D. Silver contributed to this report. Tracie Mauriello can be reached at tmauriello@post-gazette.com or 717-787-2141. Follow her at www.twitter.com/pgpolitweets

BREAKING NEWS: ANN LOKUTA'S SEAT REMOVED FROM BALLOT

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has halted the election to fill former Judge Ann Lokuta's judicial seat on the Luzerne County Court. Joe Holden of the WBRE newsteam broke the news on this evening's newscast.

The Supreme Court also ordered the Court of Judicial Discipline to consider whether it should reopen Lokuta's case. That's because three of the witnesses against her pleaded guilty in an ongoing federal corruption probe at the Luzerne County Courthouse.

Judicial Conduct Board Chief Counsel Joseph Massa previously argued in court documents about her appeals after her removal from the bench. From an article written by Coulter Jones in the Citizens Voice.


“(Lokuta) has consistently claimed there was a conspiracy of individuals to fabricate evidence of misconduct about her,” Massa wrote. “The fact that certain individuals who testified as part of the board’s group of 31 witnesses have been charged with independently committing crimes, or have been found to have financial connections to each other, does not simultaneously support that they conspired to fabricate evidence of judicial misconduct about (Lokuta).”

Massa wrote that Conahan and Ciavarella were only “two witnesses among a total pool of 31 who testified as part of the board’s case,” and their testimony was no more “key” than any of the other witnesses. Massa also disputed that Lokuta’s appeal is any more complicated than other appeals of this nature.

Lokuta had also objected that Richard Sprague, who served as president judge during her trial, didn’t recuse himself even though a potential conflict existed since he had represented Robert J. Powell and other potential witnesses from the Powell Law Group, P.C. According to court documents filed by federal prosecutors last month, Conahan and Ciavarella took $2.6 million in kickbacks from two individuals — Powell is believed to be one — tied to Pennsylvania Child Care LLC, a company whose juvenile detention centers earned nearly $30 million from county contracts.

Massa argued that during Lokuta’s trial, only one witness from the Powell Law Group, Prothonotary Jill Moran, testified and that didn’t necessitate Sprague stepping down.

You can read about Sprague's 225 page Opinion against Lokuta by clicking here.

That relationship wasn't the only one she raised in her defense. Dave Janoski in the Times-Tribune wrote this information in July, 2008.

Judge Lokuta had asked the court, which is considering sanctions against her, to dismiss the charges or reopen the case because of a recently revealed financial relationship between a key prosecution witness, county Senior Judge Michael T. Conahan, and the chairman of the state board that filed the charges, and local auto parts executive Patrick Judge Sr.

Mr. Judge and Judge Conahan are co-investors in a local ambulance company and a Florida real-estate firm. Mr. Judge was chairman of the state Judicial Conduct Board when it approved charges against Judge Lokuta in October 2006. Last year, he was named to the seven-member Court of Judicial Discipline, which has two members who are neither judges nor lawyers.

The one-sentence order denying Judge Lokuta’s request did not give a reason for the denial. Philadelphia attorney Richard Sprague, one of three members of the Court of Judicial Discipline who presided over Judge Lokuta’s 12-day trial, signed the order. He did not return a phone message seeking comment.


Her fight is not over but I have to give Ann credit. She is staying her course.

Pat Meehan's Political Kickoff And The Beaten Path

An early start to the Governor's race beat spring's arrival. Pat Meehan, a former U.S. Attorney officially entered the race with the kick off of his website. Sources handicapping the Republican side put A.G. Tom Corbett against Meehan as the top contenders.

Pat Meehan is the former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He served from September 17, 2001 until July 15, 2008 as the federal prosecutor responsible for the city of Philadelphia and its eight surrounding counties. On July 16, 2008, he announced that he was joining the Philadelphia law firm of Conrad O'Brien Gellman & Rohn on July 21, 2008.

Meehan and his office are nationally recognized for their work on terrorism, gang prevention, protecting seniors and children, and public corruption. The current trial against Senator Vincent Fumo is due to the work of Meehan's office.

Okay so let's keep this straight. Richard Sprague once represented Vincent Fumo. They parted over an argument. Meehan investigated Fumo which led to charges. Richard Sprague is now representing Robert Powell as part of the Luzerne County public corruption case. Richard Sprague, as a Justice, wouldn't step aside in the Judge Ann Lokuta trial even though he represented Robert Powell who has ties to former Judge Michael Conahan according to court records.

Betty Roccograndi of the Times Leader wrote December 7,2008 The links between Sprague, Powell, Conahan and other Powell pals who testified against Lokuta is disturbing, and any fair-minded person has to wonder whether Sprague’s objectivity was clouded even a little bit.

Another noted client of Richard Sprague is Louis DeNaples. Okay what does that have to do with anything? Vincent Fumo authored the gaming bill that brought Sprague and DeNaples together. Did we just complete the circle of life??

Got off the beaten path for a moment about Pat Meehan's kickoff but then again its my blog.