Last week Senator Ray Musto sought a postponement for his arraignment on federal charges of accepting cash and services in exchange for his influence as a public official.
The Times Leader is reporting that U.S. District Magistrate Judge Thomas Blewitt has set the date for December 15th at 11A.M. in the federal court in Scranton.
A biography on Judge Thomas Blewitt. Judge Blewitt handled this case involving child pornography that received some backlash over releasing the person charged on his own recognizance with ankle monitoring.
Musto has indicated he intends to have his day in court.
Showing posts with label bribe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bribe. Show all posts
Monday, November 29, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Skrepenak Sentenced - 24 MONTHS AND $5000 FINE
His leniency plea rejected, Greg Skrepenak former NFLK Star and Luzerene County Commissioner was sentenced to 24 months and $5000 in fines according to the Times Leader.
U.S. District Judge Richard P. Conaboy acknowledged Skrepenak's charitable work and the impact the sentence would have on his family, but said he believed a period of incarceration was necessary due to the egregiousness of Skrepenak's crime.
"Your conduct has left a very bad blemish on all public servants in (Luzerne) County," Conaboy said. "It's the worst kind of violation of trust."
According to an Insider Club email from WILK listeners were informed that The plea agreement with the government actually describes the offense as having consisted of more than one payment with a total value between $30,000 and $70,000.
"Don't say a word or I'll knock you (expletive) head off," the senior Skrepenak said to WILK radio host Steve Corbett, who was in courtroom for sentencing.
U.S. District Judge Richard P. Conaboy acknowledged Skrepenak's charitable work and the impact the sentence would have on his family, but said he believed a period of incarceration was necessary due to the egregiousness of Skrepenak's crime.
"Your conduct has left a very bad blemish on all public servants in (Luzerne) County," Conaboy said. "It's the worst kind of violation of trust."
According to an Insider Club email from WILK listeners were informed that The plea agreement with the government actually describes the offense as having consisted of more than one payment with a total value between $30,000 and $70,000.
"Don't say a word or I'll knock you (expletive) head off," the senior Skrepenak said to WILK radio host Steve Corbett, who was in courtroom for sentencing.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Skrepenak Gets To Remain Free A Little Longer
The Times Leader is reporting that Greg Skrepenak gets another date with the court. Judge Conaboy is postponing his sentencing on corruption charges born out of the biggest scandal to hit Luzerne County for a second time to give federal probation officials more time to complete their pre-sentencing reports. In all likelihood Skrepenak will stay inside the prison walls for 33 to 41 months after pleading guilty to accepting $5,000 from a developer who received a county-backed loan. What a turnaround from a great college and NFL career to the end of what was looking like a career in politics. (Let's see...Skrep says "I have contacts in the NFL"...nahh I think the contacts in Luzerne County are better...) It is time for a new system of government but from what is being said the Luzerne County Government Study Commission is creating a hybrid of what is already in place.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Bonner No Longer Associated With Luzerne County
After pleading guilty to passing a $1,400.00 bribe Gerald J. Bonner through his attorney stated he will no longer serve as a Luzerne County Jury Commissioner or on the county's housing authority board. You can read Michale Sisak's article here.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Skrepenak Charged With Taking A Bribe
In the typical fashion of the latest round of arrests the Times Leader reports Greg Skrepenak has been charged by the FBI for taking a $5,000.00 bribe as payment for his support on the creation of a tax incentive program that benefited a private developer.
A criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney’s office says in January 2008 Skrepenak supported the creation of a tax increment district which benefited a contractor who wished to develop a property in Jenkins Township. The complaint does not identify the contractor.
Skrepenak could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, but is more than likely his sentence will be reduced to 33-41 months under his plea agreement and federal sentencing guidelines.
Here is a link to his plea agreement on the Citizens Voice website.
This plea appears it is related to the charges against Allen Bellas. You can view these minutes of the Luzerne County Commissioners for the January, 2008 meeting. Mark Guydish of the Times Leader covered more on this story here.
On October 9, 2009 Jennifer Learn-Andes chronicled this report on the TIF program and Bellas.
The program, known as Tax Incremental Financing, or TIF, is designed to encourage development of blighted property. Taxing bodies must agree to divert new tax revenue from development to pay off some of the expenses required to prepare the site for development.
Bellas would help to market these tax-break programs to the taxing bodies.
For example, Bellas approached Luzerne County commissioners in early 2008 about approving a TIF to put town houses on 13 acres in Jenkins Township.
This project, which was called the “Leib tract,” is now known as Insignia Point Courtyard.
A criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney’s office says in January 2008 Skrepenak supported the creation of a tax increment district which benefited a contractor who wished to develop a property in Jenkins Township. The complaint does not identify the contractor.
Skrepenak could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, but is more than likely his sentence will be reduced to 33-41 months under his plea agreement and federal sentencing guidelines.
Here is a link to his plea agreement on the Citizens Voice website.
This plea appears it is related to the charges against Allen Bellas. You can view these minutes of the Luzerne County Commissioners for the January, 2008 meeting. Mark Guydish of the Times Leader covered more on this story here.
On October 9, 2009 Jennifer Learn-Andes chronicled this report on the TIF program and Bellas.
The program, known as Tax Incremental Financing, or TIF, is designed to encourage development of blighted property. Taxing bodies must agree to divert new tax revenue from development to pay off some of the expenses required to prepare the site for development.
Bellas would help to market these tax-break programs to the taxing bodies.
For example, Bellas approached Luzerne County commissioners in early 2008 about approving a TIF to put town houses on 13 acres in Jenkins Township.
This project, which was called the “Leib tract,” is now known as Insignia Point Courtyard.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Bonner Pleads Guilty
Bonner Pleads Guilty To Passing A Bribe With the lastest arrests in the corruption probe by AG Tom Corbett and the FBI arresting Democrat after Democrat in Luzerne County why aren't Democratic Leaders coming out leading the cry for meaningful reform? Hiding won't solve the problem. If they want to survive they need to address this crisis head-on. But then again the Democrats greatest claim is continual vilification of George Bush which is quickly running out of steam.
To illustrate my point go on over to John Micek's Capitol Ideas column from yesterday and read about the arrogance of Bill DeWeeese who exhibits no humility for the veracity of complaint against him.
Around 8 p.m. or so last night, DeWeese wandered onto the House floor for the first time since charges were announced earlier in the day. On the Democratic side of the aisle, he was greeted with claps on the back and with handshakes.
It was an incongruous gesture given the gravity of the charges that had been lodged against him. A few minutes later, he gave a speech from the House floor -- the last he'll give as a member of the House Democratic leadership, we expect.
"I've had a tough day," he said dryly, before going on to thank his colleagues for the visits, calls and e-mails that had apparently filtered in throughout the day on Tuesday. "I've enjoyed being Democratic Whip," he went on to say. "And for all those of you who have shown support ... I am grateful."
At the close of his remarks, DeWeese was greeted with a standing ovation. Another incongruous gesture. Not that we were expecting an Amish shunning or anything like that, but we couldn't help but wonder what the proper balance was between respect for DeWeese's three-decade tenure and opprobrium for the way it had ended.
To illustrate my point go on over to John Micek's Capitol Ideas column from yesterday and read about the arrogance of Bill DeWeeese who exhibits no humility for the veracity of complaint against him.
Around 8 p.m. or so last night, DeWeese wandered onto the House floor for the first time since charges were announced earlier in the day. On the Democratic side of the aisle, he was greeted with claps on the back and with handshakes.
It was an incongruous gesture given the gravity of the charges that had been lodged against him. A few minutes later, he gave a speech from the House floor -- the last he'll give as a member of the House Democratic leadership, we expect.
"I've had a tough day," he said dryly, before going on to thank his colleagues for the visits, calls and e-mails that had apparently filtered in throughout the day on Tuesday. "I've enjoyed being Democratic Whip," he went on to say. "And for all those of you who have shown support ... I am grateful."
At the close of his remarks, DeWeese was greeted with a standing ovation. Another incongruous gesture. Not that we were expecting an Amish shunning or anything like that, but we couldn't help but wonder what the proper balance was between respect for DeWeese's three-decade tenure and opprobrium for the way it had ended.
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