Times Shamrock Reports Grand Jury Indicts Ray Musto

In a somewhat shocking revelation to the political community the Times Shamrock is reporting that State Senator Ray Musto has been indicted by a federal grand jury.

State Sen. Raphael Musto was indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges that he accepted tens of thousands of dollars in bribes and kickbacks from an unnamed company after supporting the company's efforts to secure state grants.

The company performed nearly $48,0000 in renovations on a building Mr. Musto owned in 2006 and billed him $25,000, according to the indictment. Mr. Musto issued a $25,000 check to the company, but representatives of the company then paid him $25,000 in cash, the grand jury alleged.

The company did an additional $10,000 worth of work on the building, but never billed Mr. Musto, according to the grand jury, and provided Mr. Musto with annual holiday gifts in 2005-2008 that Mr. Musto did not report on state financial disclosure forms, the indictment said.

The indictment identifies the company only as "Company A," but federal agents are known to have examined records in Pittston Twp. detailing renovations on a building Mr. Musto owned there. The company performing the renovations was Mericle Construction, owned by Robert K. Mericle. Mr. Mericle has already pleaded guilty in connection with illegal payments made to two county judges who lodged juveniles in two detention centers built by his company.

On April 22,2010 Michael Sisak, staff writer for Times Shamrock, wrote this piece about the link between Mericle and Musto.

The mystery surrounding a recent federal raid on state Sen. Raphael J. Musto's home and the subsequent seizure of Pittston Township building permits twisted toward clarity Wednesday as the township released documents tying the lawmaker to $40,000 worth of home renovations conducted by the construction wing of Luzerne County corruption figure Robert K. Mericle's real estate empire.

Mericle's firm, Mericle Construction, obtained building permits in February and May 2006 to perform $5,200 worth of roof repairs and $34,800 remodeling work on a Bryden Street house that has been in Musto's family for more than a half century. Musto, who inherited the property from his father in 1970, transferred ownership to his son, Raphael J. Musto Jr., in August 2006.

The property, which was rezoned from residential to commercial following the construction work, now serves as an office for Musto Jr.'s physical therapy practice, Physical Therapy Center Unlimited.

Ray Musto(real name Raphael John Musto) ended his 40 year political career by not seeking re-election this year. Musto started his ascent by winning a special election for the unexpired term of his father, James Musto, House of Representative's seat in 1971. In 1980 he won a special election to become Congressman of the 11th Congressional district. In 1982 he was elected to the Senate representing the 14th District of Pennsylvania.

On October 7, 2005 Congressman Paul Kanjorski honored Senator Musto on the floor of the United States House of Representatives for his Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed upon him by the Italian American Asssociation of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.

Link to the Musto Indictment Paperwork from the Times Leader.

The announcement from the Citizen Voice's website.

Senator Robert Mellow Remarks In 2000

In the year 2000 Senator Joseph Loeper was charged with falsifying tax related documents. According to the Free Library here are Senator Robert Mellow's comments regarding that indictment.

Statement Issued by PA Sen. Robert J. Mellow Regarding Indictment of PA Sen. Joe Loeper

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 24 /PRNewswire/ --

The following was issued today by the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Information Office:

Today, I am deeply saddened by events surrounding the indictment of Republican State Sen. Joe Loeper, the Republican leader. Over many years, Sen. Loeper and I have served as respective leaders of our parties and share a mutual respect.

This represents the third guilty plea by a Republican senator in three years. In 1998, it was Sen. Dan Delp of York County York County for misuse of taxpayer funds. Earlier this year, Bill Slocum of Warren County was convicted of dumping 3.5 million gallons of raw sewage into a pristine creek. Now, Sen. Loeper joins them.

This illustrates the problem with no checks and balances in Harrisburg and the dilemma that one-party control represents. On November 7th, the people of Pennsylvania will, hopefully, change the political balance in Harrisburg. On Election Day, voters will have an opportunity to make a difference in how politics and government are decided in Harrisburg.

We can no longer accept this kind of leadership. The people of Pennsylvania need honest representation and action on issues of substance such as providing affordable and accessible health care to seniors. We should also be providing leadership on smaller class sizes and meaningful tax relief for working families who are being squeezed by rising school property taxes. Furthermore, the legislature will be prioritizing and allocating funds from the tobacco settlement in the near future.

Republican scandals, controversies and indictments detract from these real issues. They also take away valuable energy and resources that should be used in solving real problems.

Lately, Republicans have been running for cover rather than running the people's business. I hope that Pennsylvanians are watching these events carefully and will decide to take the necessary steps to correct this problem on Election Day.

Sen. Loeper knows what is expected of him in light of the guilty plea. He should resign immediately. That way, we can put this episode behind us and concentrate on real issues that affect real people.

It's amazing how some words tend to bomerange when uttered in a "pristine" career.

Expect More Indictments Tomorrow

The Times Leader is reporting on a news conference scheduled by the U.S. Attorney's office for 2P.M. tomorrow in the federal courthouse at 235 North Washington Ave., Scranton to discuss the on-going investigation of public corruption in local and state government, according to a press release issued by U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith.

It is worth noting that Smith made this observation back on August 30, 2010 as reported in the Citizen's Voice.

U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith sees no immediate end to the corruption probe that has led to the arrests of more than 30 people in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties, including judges, county officials, school board members and government contractors.

"I can't say how long they will extend (it) because we frankly don't know,"

Smith said during a recent wide-ranging interview with The Citizens' Voice. "They'll go on as long as they need to go on."

The Standard Speaker is reporting that an elected official is the expected target of the probe.

Stay tuned.

FBI Subpoenas Senator Mellow Workers In Harrisburg

The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that F.B.I. agents served Democratic staffers working for Senator Robert Mellow in their ongoing probe of the senator's activities.

John Sullivan and Angela Couloumbis write:

Federal agents investigating State Sen. Robert J. Mellow, the highest-ranking Senate Democrat, served subpoenas Wednesday on dozens of Democratic staff members, including those in Mellow's Senate office.

The subpoenas compel the staffers to appear before a federal grand jury, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

Some of the staffers work directly for Mellow; others work indirectly for him as part of the Senate Democratic caucus support staff. As many as 80 staffers could be involved if all were subpoenaed, according to a listing of Senate Democratic employees.

The grand jury is probing a rental deal in which Mellow had his district office in a building in Peckville, Lackawanna County, owned at various times by longtime aide Gabriel J. Giordano; Giordano's wife, Celestine P.; Mellow's wife; and, ultimately, the senator himself.

TARAH TOOHIL RESPONDS TO EACHUS'S NEWEST ATTACKS

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT TARAH TOOHIL

Hazleton, PA- On Tuesday, candidate for State Representative Tarah Toohil, was informed by various media outlets that Mr. Eachus was hand-delivering his newest round of false and baseless attacks to the press.

In response, Toohil remarked, “Once again, it is sad that Mr. Eachus is stooping so low and that he thinks his conduct is acceptable and seems to even be proud of himself. My opponent is exactly what is wrong with politics today. I am running a volunteer, grassroots campaign, fighting for this community… about the issues NOT a lowly mudslinging campaign that represents the worst of politics today. After 15 years in office, shouldn’t my opponent be able to run on his record? He can't run on his record. He is running from it."

Toohil stated, “Unlike Mr. Eachus, I will always be open, honest, transparent and accountable with the people of my community. I will gladly answer any questions anyone might have."

"I am a lawyer. I served as a law clerk for the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas. When a person is hired by the County to be a law clerk it is always via a Court Order. These Court Orders are signed by the President Judge of the County. I never worked for Mark Ciavarella.”

“Secondly, I have never represented anyone in connection with the Federal Luzerne County Corruption Probe. Mr. Eachus on the other hand is embroiled in the corruption scandal in Luzerne County. Mr. Eachus is tied closely with and has accepted money from many of the major players and admitted felons: Bob Powell, Robert Mericle and Gregory Skrepenak. To name a few. All you have to do is follow the money trail. Those are the facts. I would highly suggest that before Mr. Eachus attacks me again, he takes the time to confirm that the statements he makes are true. Because the statements he made today are misleading and incorrect.”

Paid for by The Committee To Elect Tarah Toohil..

Todd Eachus's Attempt To Escape Voter Backlash

Back in 2005 a legislative "midnight" payraise bill passed the House of Representatives and was signed into law. To be accurate the bill passed at 2A.M. The Post-Gazette penned this article on the bonus scandal timeline that includes the pay raise debacle.

July 7, 2005
State lawmakers approve hefty raises for themselves, sparking voter outrage and turning the next election cycle into one of the most contentious in Pennsylvania history.
• "General Assembly votes itself a 16 percent minimum pay raise"

Nov. 5, 2005
Lawmakers buckle to public pressure and repeal the pay-raise bill. Democratic Whip Michael Veon, D-Beaver Falls, stands alone as the only lawmaker to vote against the repeal.
• "Repeal of pay raises passes quickly, 50-0, as leaders ask for forgiveness"

DemocracyRising reported on this article from RockTheCapital.org on July 10, 2010 titled "60 Current and Former Legislators Continue to Profit for Stealing Taxpayer Dollars and Refuse to Pay the Money Back"

Initially, 131 House members and 27 Senators signed up for “unvouchered expenses.” Payments were received between July 7 and November 16, 2005, ranging from $1,288 to $14,553.32 (before taxes). The repealed pay raises would have boosted lawmakers’ salaries from 16 to 54 percent, depending on seniority, rank, title and leadership.

House Democratic members who took “unvouchered expenses” and did not pay the money back or “donated” the “unconstitutional” income to charities have been rewarded with leadership positions, job promotions, or committee chairmanships and assignments to the Speaker’s Commission on Legislative Reform.

Democratic Payjackers in House Leadership (5):
• Keith McCall (D-Carbon), Speaker.
• Todd Eachus (Luzerne), Majority Leader.

According to the Majority Leader, Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne), "The payraise thing, I think, is finally behind us. I think we're on to other issues now."(Patriot News, February 17, 2008).

Eachus believes he is going to "escape" this issue. That ain't gonna happen.

Remember the budget impasse in Harrisburg last year. CnnMoney.com reported on how that failure of leadership hurt Pennsylvanians. Here' what Todd Eachus had to say about the impasse as reported in the News Item while racking up his per diems during that time.

Eachus said it was his responsibility as a leader to engage in the negotiations with Gov. Ed Rendell and Senate leaders and work out the compromises needed to pass the budget. While it took a long time to resolve, Eachus said the final budget came together in the way he hoped by maintaining health care for children, distributing additional money for education and providing enough recurring revenues so Pennsylvania doesn't have to reopen its budget like some states are doing this fall.

"We ought to be able to get through the next two years without a revenue increase," he said.

Eachus pointed out that lawmakers - unlike the governor - don't have a taxpayer-funded residence to stay in when they are in Harrisburg. That is the most disingenous statement to the citizens of the Commonwealth as they come. What do you call this Mr. Eachus?

He will try to escape the issue of owning this home in Harrisburg while still collecting per diems. That ain't gonna happen.

When Todd Eachus ran for office in 1996 he was proud that then "State Representative Michael Veon and Democratic Majority Leader William DeWeese were prime sponsors" of a fund raising event scheduled for him on April 4, 1996. In the same publication he stated that "While voters are attentive to the political process, we are determined to build positive name recognition. Today Michael Veon is in prison and DeWeese faces trial on charges stemming from the Bonusgate investigation.

On June 30, 2007 Gort reported on his blog that Todd Eachus was trying to secure funding for Robert Powell's company in its quest to open a cargo airport outside of Hazleton. Powell donated over $17,000 to Eachus's campaign over the years. In an apparent pay to play scheme Eachus returned the favor.

Supporters of a proposed cargo airport in the Hazleton area are eyeing slots revenues to help pay for the $500 million project. State Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Butler Township, inserted a $16.5 million authorization for the cargo airport in a new House bill listing projects under the Pennsylvania Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund. Robert Powell plead guilty for his role in the FBI's Luzerne County corruption probe that has snared 30 officials to date.

He will try to escape the corruption that swirls around those he surrounds himself with. That ain't gonna happen.

Standard Speaker reporter Bob Salitza reported on Todd Eachus's announcement that he was running for state representative in the 116th Legislative District on December 7, 1995. Below is a snapshot of that article. Eachus is quoted in the article.

"Now is the time for fundamental change in Harrisburg,." he declared. "We must put an end to midnight votes on pay raises for legislators. We have been taxed and WAM'ed(WAM is "walking around money" that state lawmakers does out as they see fit) until we can't take it anymore."

Todd Eachus not only voted for a midnight pay raise, he failed to return it to the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Maybe it is time we can't take Todd Eachus anymore. He shouldn't escape losing this election. Obviously he is part of the culture that Dan Onorato says pervades Harrisburg.

Today's Front Page Times Leader

What nice hair they have!!

Luzerne County Scandal Update

The dance around the contractor continues with the sentencing of the former executive director of the Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority. H. Allen Bellas, 60, of Kingston, pleaded guilty in January to corrupt receipt of a reward for official action accoring to this story that appeared in today's Times Leader.

Federal prosecutors say Bellas accepted money from a contractor in 2008 in exchange for helping the contractor gain acceptance into a tax incentive program.

More information was contained in this article in the Citizen's Voice.

Bellas, 60, was sentenced to six months home confinement followed by 18 months probation and fined $10,000 by U.S. District Judge Thomas I. Vanaskie.

The developer who paid Bellas has not been identified by federal prosecutors, but information in court documents indicates it was Anthony Trombetta, who received a $1.1 million government-backed loan through the authority for a housing project in Jenkins Township.

Trombetta’s dealings with local government and school officials have been a focus of wide-ranging corruption probe that has produced more than 30 arrests.

Bellas, a former president of the Wyoming Valley West School Board, resigned from the board shortly before his plea agreement with prosecutors was announced last year.

In another matter sentencing for a businessman who accepted money from one person plus provided free carpeting to another was postponed.

Painting/carpeting contractor Richard Emanski’s acceptance of $7,500 in an alleged deal involving another contractor and a public official complicated his sentencing for supplying free carpeting to a Wilkes-Barre Area School Board member today, leading to a postponement.

Emanski, 66, would face six to 12 months in the carpeting case under federal sentencing guidelines, but his attorney, Carl Poveromo, asked U.S. District Judge Thomas I. Vanaskie to consider a sentence of home confinement or probation during a sentencing hearing this morning.

In response, Vanaskie referred to a pre-sentence report, which has not been made public, which states that Emanski has made other payments to public officials and once split a $15,000 payment from another contractor with an unnamed public official. While those payments were not used to determine Emanski’s range of possible sentences under the guidelines, Vanaskie asked if they could be considered when deciding between a probationary sentence and a prison sentence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney William Houser told Vanaskie that it was his position that the $7,500 payment, revealed to prosecutors by Emanski after his arrest, should not be used to “penalize” him.

It appears the sentencing is leading to speculation of more charges due to cooperation by defendants. I have a friend at the Attorney General's office who says he keeps a card in his briefcase. On one side it says "defendant" and on the other side it says "witness". He gives to a person he is questioning and tells them you decide which one you want to be.

Evidently the FBI has a card that says "defendant who cooperates" and "defendant with hard time". Seems like some are making the right choice.

Breaking News-Big Ugly Closed

From The Times Leader

Bar owned by former commissioner's father closed

WILKES-BARRE - A bar in Wilkes-Barre owned by former Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak's father is closed for business. The parking lot of the Big Ugly's Bar and Grill was vacant Saturday afternoon as a sign written in a blue and black marker notified potential patrons that it was closed. The sign that was taped to the door said "Closed until further notice" and was signed "Mr. Skrep." It is unknown how long the establishment has been closed. For more information, read Sunday's The Times Leader.

Mike Veon et al Trial Starts Today

Joe Hermit Patriot News Photo
His day in court has finally arrived in Harrisburg. In a story found on PennLive from the Associated Press former Representative Mike Veon and three aides will be in court today for the opening of their trial related to charges the media has labeled as "Bonusgate".

The criminal trial of former General Assembly dealmaker Michael R. Veon and three of his ex-aides, which begins in earnest Monday with opening statements in a Harrisburg courtroom, represents a milestone in the attorney general’s three-year public corruption investigation of the Legislature.

The case is also a significant factor in this year’s Pennsylvania gubernatorial campaign and should give voters more details about how some of their state lawmakers have balanced their legal obligations with their political ambitions.

A focus of the trial is expected to be testimony by at least some of the seven people, all former House Democratic staffers, who were arrested with Veon and the three others in July 2008 but who recently pleaded guilty and are cooperating with prosecutors. The proceedings follow a full acquittal won in December by the only defendant so far to go to trial in the investigation: former state Rep. Sean Ramaley, D-Beaver.

The defendants — Veon, 53, once the No. 2 ranking House Democratic leader; campaign guru Brett W. Cott, 37; computer services supervisor Stephen A.H. Keefer, 39; and Veon district office manager Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink, 47 — are accused of conflict of interest, theft and conspiracy in what the attorney general’s office alleges was a multimillion-dollar effort to siphon off public resources for private benefit. The trial is expected to last about a month.

For sure this will be a make or break deal for Tom Corbett's polling in his race for Governor of Pennsylvania. He staked his career on making this investigation his statement on government reform.

Corrupt Receipt Of A Reward For Official Action

That's the charge an authority member and businessman plead guilty to yesterday in a Scranton federal court. Jennifer Learn-Andes writes in the Times Leader

Former Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority Director Allen Bellas and area business owner Richard Emanski both pleaded guilty in federal court in Scranton Tuesday on unrelated charges connected to the ongoing corruption probe.

Bellas, 60, of Kingston, pleaded to corrupt receipt of a reward for official action. Emanski, 66, of Harveys Lake, pleaded to corrupt payment of a reward for official action.

Bellas acknowledged that he accepted $2,000 from a construction contractor in 2008 in exchange for helping the contractor secure approval of a program that funds some development costs.

SOP wonders out loud how many more authorities should be investigated for similar crimes. Stay tuned.

Veon Trying To Postpone Trial

In a clever manuever Michael Veon asked a judge for more time to sort through a mountain of records provided by AG Tom Corbett's office in his upcoming trial on charges related to the Bonusgate investigation. Mark Scloforo for the Associated Press wrote Veon's attorneys said they had to organize and understand about 67,000 documents, many provided by the attorney general's office in recent months.


"Even assuming every one of the 30,000 new documents were repeats, and the defense knows from their review they are not, it would require an individual working five days a week, reviewing almost 140 documents every single day to finish the review in a year," wrote Veon lawyer Joel S. Sansone in a motion to continue the trial. It is currently scheduled to begin Jan. 19.


Veon and three former House Democratic aides are accused of illegally diverting state workers and legislative resources for campaigning and other purposes. Seven co-defendants are expected to plead guilty Wednesday, and an eighth was acquitted of all charges last month

Michale T. Toole Enters Guilty Plea In Federal Court

According to the Times Leader's Terri Morgan-Besecker Judge Michael T. Toole has entered a guilty plea to two charges in federal court yesterday.

A subdued Toole appeared before U.S. District Judge Richard P. Conaboy to plead guilty to charges of honest services fraud and tax evasion.

“Your honor, with the strength of my faith and the support of my family and friends, I take complete responsibility for what I’ve done and will accept whatever punishment the court imposes,” Toole told Conaboy during the 45-minute hearing.

What Toole did, prosecutors say, is “corruptly abuse” his position as a judge to improperly influence an uninsured motorist arbitration case that came before him in 2006. In a separate matter, he also failed to report on his income taxes a $30,000 fee he received from another attorney.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has not identified the attorneys involved in either case. Details contained in the charges indicate the attorney involved in the arbitration case was Harry Cardoni of Kingston. A source familiar with the probe identified the attorney who paid the referral fee as Robert Powell of Butler Township.

Eachus Website Down

Today I was told that the blinds to Representative Todd Eachus's office in downtown Hazleton were fully closed to the ground. To the knowledge of the person who relayed the story this person has never noticed the blinds fully drawn.

It may have been an irrelevant piece of information if it wasn't for the fact the www.toddeachus.com is down. You can only use the cache feature of a Google search to bring up the contents of the site. According to the cache feature it was able to retrieve the data as of December 8, 2009. Given that he is House Majority Leader for the House of Representatives for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania it raises extreme curiosity.

In the cache feature a statement claims the website is paid for by the Pennsylvania HDCC. A search of Pennsylvania's Campaign Finance site is here for the contributions to his committee from 01/01/2000 to date. Can you find the contribution?

Mr. Eachus's shortness with the media has been well documented. He refuses to answer questions or offer any explanations for the contents of recent media reports. He has not been charged in any matters to date.

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.

Cudos To Greg Skrepenak!

Some won't believe what I am about to write but let SOP be the first to acknowledge Greg Skrepenak's heartfelt apology to those who he feels he hurt with his actions.

Tell SOP one other actor who has been so contrite in admission of guilt.

Due to the ongoing investigations and my complete cooperation with the authorities, 1 will not be able to comment further. For these reasons, I am not holding a press conference or conducting interviews.

The complete cooperation statement should have some county and state officals experiencing a few sleepless nights henceforward.

BREAKING NEWS: LUZERNE COUNTY COMMISSIONER GREG SKREPENAK SIGNS PLEA DEAL

In a long anticipated annnouncement the Times Leader is reporting that a source has confirmed Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak signed a plea deal on Wednesday in the ongoing corruption probe.

Makes me wonder about the campaign transfers from Friends of Skrepenak and Vonderheid and Friends of Skrepenak and Petrilla to the sole campaign finance committee of Friends of Maryanne Petrilla last year.

Again I say Todd Eachus's associations with Robert Powell, Jill Moran, Greg Skrepenak, Bill DeWeese, Steve Stetler, Michael Veon, Michael Manzo, and Rachel Manzo are part of a new book coming out called "It's The Company I Keep." His campaign finance committee, Friends of Todd Eachus has donated to Maryanne Petrilla's political aspirations for years. On June 4, 2004 the committee contributed $7,000.00 to People for Petrilla alone.

BREAKING NEWS: Two sources close to the Luzerne County Courthouse have confirmed an arrest related to the Prothonotary's Office over missing funds, reportedly as high as $6,000.00. The employee involved is from the Hazleton area.

One source is stating that at least two high powered attorneys are next on the list. Stay tuned.

MaryAnn Petrilla- Emulating and Keeping Political Cronyism Strong

One would think that the FBI's efforts surrounding the Luzerne County Courthouse would officals more careful, transparent, and accountable with their dealings. Well, as you are about to see all is well in Political Cronyism land. I was reviewing some postings on the net and noticed that Gort wrote about the amount of money raised by Luzerne County Commissioner Maryann Petrilla this year. What struck me odd was that she isn't running for office this year nor did she need to retire debt. She is a sitting Luzerne County Commissioner.

Back in November, 2006 Gort wrote about Maryanne's plan to run for Luzerne County Commissioner while holding the office of Luzerne County Controller.

In looking at her campaign filings prior to running for Commissioner her indebtedness was as high as $70,300.00 on June 6, 2005. The earliest campaign filing on the Courthouse websites indicates she had a debt 0f $45,417.59 as of April 16, 2004. At the end of 2006 she had indebtedness of $36,300.00.

A review of her latest campaign report indicates she has a positive balance of $78,170.24 as of 10-19-2009 in her "Friends of Maryanne Petrilla" campaign account. In a span of two years she was able to swing $125,070.00 worth of money. That figure represents the political culture icon demonstrating politics as usual in Luzerne County.

What is more revealing is who gave her the money to achieve such a positive balance? First, this examination is not making the claim that the donations are illegal by any means. However, as you will see, from a taxpayer perspective they raise a multitude of ethical questions.

For starters her campaign forms have been submitted by Tracey Gallagher and Donald Karpowich for some of the years on file on the website. According to this document it appears they are husband and wife. Donald Karpowich is listed as the solicitor for Luzerne County Controller. This Annual Filing of the Controller of Luzerne County lists Donald Karpowich as the solicitor for Acting Controller A.J. Martinelli, however, Maryann Petrilla is listed as Controller. So basically her solicitor was also filing campaign reports for her while an officer of Luzerne County. He was also hired as the solicitor for Luzerne County's Retirement Board by Maryanne et al.

Article from:The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA) Article date:April 20, 2006 The Times Leader. Retirement board solicitor fired: Board also rejects paying former county Controller Steve Flood's legal bill. Byline: Jennifer Learn-Andes

Apr. 20--Luzerne County Retirement Board members Greg Skrepenak, Todd Vonderheid and Maryanne Petrilla voted Wednesday to fire solicitor Chris Cullen and not pay a $137,221 legal bill to a Philadelphia law firm handling former controller Steve Flood's defamation suit. The trio then voted to appoint controller's office solicitor Donald Karpowich as interim retirement board solicitor until the board can interview the six or seven applicants. Karpowich did not apply for the permanent post, Petrilla said. Retirement board members Stephen A. Urban and Mike Morreale voted against the appointment. It must be true that lightning can strike twice.

A campaign report was also filed by Kristen Martinelli and notarized by Tracey Gallgher for 2008. In that report the Friends of Skrepenak and Vonderheid committee contributed $26,350.00 on January 15, 2008 and the Friends of Skrepenak and Petrilla committee contributed $54,586.00 on March 28, 2008 to the People of Petrilla commmittee. The People of Petrilla committee transferred $55,000.00 to her newly formed campaign finance committee(CFC) Friends of Maryanne Petrilla on May 2, 2008.

In the Friends of Maryanne Petrilla filing through December, 2008 Nobel Quandel is listed as a $2,000.00 contributor on May 31, 2008.

Moving onto the latest campaign filing there some more interesting pieces of information. On August 31, 2009 Friends of Jackie Musto Carroll contributed $250.00 to her political committee hesitating to use the word "campaign" since Maryanne is already elected and holding office. Vito Deluca, Luzerne County Solicitor, contributed $375.00; Ed Casaldi, Luzerne County Public Safety Director donated $500.00; Donald Karpowich contributed $1,625.00; Joseph Piazza(along with his wife Patricia) Luzerne County Warden donated $500.00.

Correct me if I am wrong. As Luzerne County Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla by the County Code is a mandatory member of the Luzerne County Salary Board. Is it ethical for a sitting member of a Salary Board to accept campaign contributions from those who she will determine their salary and fund through Luzerne County taxpayers in the county budget?

Friends of Maryanne Petrilla committee contributed to the following campaign finance committees in 2009: Joe Musto for Judge Committee- $250.00, Committee to Elect Amesbury Judge $125.00, Committee to Elect Tina Polachek Gartley-total $1,200.00, Friends of Jackie Caroll Musto- $250.00. Again, aren't these Officers of the County who's staff salaries are determined in part by Maryanne Petrilla's vote?

How can there be reform in Luzerne County when these practices exist? If one were to sue the county would there be a conflict of interest for these judges to hear the case? If one were to have an issue with the county how can one accept the decision of the County solicitor or the solicitor of the various boards and offices when contributions back and forth cloud the issue?

Are these office holders transparent with the public in their transactions?

Click here for access to Friends of Maryanne Petrilla.

Click here for access to People For Petrilla.

BREAKING NEWS: AG CORBETT ANNOUNCE CHARGES IN STATE PROBE AGAINST DEWEESE AND STETLER

According to WILKnewsradio.com AG Corbett intends to announce more charges in his office's ongoing corruption probe into the Pennsylvania State Legislature.  His news conference will  be held at 1P.M.  Sources close to the probe indicate the latest round may be legislators recently invited to testify before the grand jury. 

It is intersting to note there is an unconfirmed report that Bill DeWeese was seen shaking AG Corbett's hand at the Pennsylvania Society meeting held in New York last weekend.

In a related note Brad Bumsted reports that Pennsylvania taxpayers paid $173,469 for fifteen GOP staffers to attend computer conferences and meetings in Las Vegas, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. The moral of the story -- kiss your money goodbye when the Legislature gets hold of it.

Check back for more on AG Corbett's announcement.



UPDATE 1: The Lebanon Daily News reports that Pennsylvania Revenue Secretary Stephen Stetler resigned Tuesday, hours before state prosecutors were expected to announce more charges in their ongoing public corruption investigation. Gov. Ed Rendell said Stetler would be charged with conduct related to his service as a state representative.

As he headed to the House chamber for a voting session Tuesday, Eachus deflected reporters' questions.

"I know you guys are all going to try to continue to talk to me about this, but I've managed this investigation from the leader's office all year, had no comment all year and have no comment now," Eachus said.

UPDATE 2: The Post-Gazette has reported that Bill DeWeese will be charged by AG Corbett when he announces charges at 1P.M. today.

Mr. DeWeese did not attend today's legislative session. In a scene fraught with irony, it was Mr. Eachus, as majority leader, who submitted a request to the House to excuse "the gentleman from Greene County" from attendance. Mr. Eachus, exuding confidence, attended the session.

UPDATE 3: Watching AG Tom Corbett on PCN Live. Charges were presented against Steven Stetler, Bill DeWeese, and DeWeese district aide Sharon Rodavich were charged in the ongoing corruption probe. He was emphatic no deal was made with Bill DeWeese at this time. Corbett also stated that the evidence will take his people where it leads his office. He said that the Grand Jury meets one week per month which is the only time he has to bring witnesses for the jurors to hear testimony. Corbett also refused to tell reporters whether anyone already invited to testify before the grand jury and didn't will or will not be charged.

SOP sources in Harrisburg indicate the House is in a complete disarray. These charges surely will add to the foray. Watching the House action on the table games legislation demonstrates that our legislators are not learning anything from these charges.

DeWeese/Rodavich Presentment PDF From Post-Gazette
Stetler Presentment

UPDATE 4: According to this article that appeared in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Bill Deweese met at least three times with agents from AG Tom Corbett's office. His lawyer said he is fully cooperating and did not seek immunity.