As anticipated and announced in previous media stories A.J. Munchak and Robert Cordaro were indicted by the federal government for their alleged roles in bribery and money laundering among a host of charges. In this story that appears in the Times Tribune Joe McDonald chronicles- A federal grand jury in Scranton indicted Lackawanna County Commissioner A.J. Munchak and former Commissioner Robert C. Cordaro this morning on public corruption charges.
Both are indicted on charges of racketeering and tax evasion. Mr. Cordaro faces a maximum of 364 years and a $7.7 million fine if convicted. Mr. Munchak faces 193 years and a $3.25 million fine. Click here to read the indictment.
Showing posts with label federal probe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label federal probe. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Sunday, December 27, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Spinozza Latest Caught In Corruption Net
According to a recent conversation FBI agents have purchased homes in the area. It definitely points to a rumor that the FBI won't be leaving anytime soon.
Their latest catch is Anthony Spinozza, a Hanover Area School Director charged with accepting a $5,000.00 bribe according to the Times Leader. You can read his plea agreement here.
Spinozza, 59, of Wilkes-Barre, has agreed to plead guilty to the charge and to resign from the board. Federal sentencing guidelines call for a sentence of 12 to 18 months, but Spinozza could be sentenced up to the maximum of 10 years.
Spinozza is the 18th person, and sixth area school official, to be charged in connection with the ongoing corruption probe in Luzerne County.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Elected Officials- Corruption Is Not Allowed
With the slew of arrests among elected officials in Luzerne County someone has to remind elected officials that corruption is an unacceptable behavior. The mentality that exists, the breadth and extent of the corruption seems to be more than anyone could have ever expected to experience.
The latest is a former magistrate from West Pittston, Karen Holly, charged on Wednesday with the theft concerning programs receiving federal funding in the amount of $5,000.00.
Now Club Fed with have to be co-ed. I am sure people in Northeastern Pennsylvania want to open Club Fed Up for the criminals' extended stay visit, Holly excluded of course until if and when convicted.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Grand Jury Looks At Wilkes Barre School District
Wilkes-Barre Area School District Superintendent Jeff Namey went before a grand jury yesterday looking into the hiring practices of the Wilkes-Barre Area School District. According to Jerry Lynott at the Times Leader Namey entered with a folder under his arm and left empty handed.
Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, Namey said he “went in and had to provide some information and that’s exactly what I did.” He estimated he was before the panel for 25 to 30 minutes.
He was seen outside the grand jury room around 9:35 a.m. and again in the hallway near the room’s entrances at approximately 11:25 a.m.
Two men left the room about an hour before Namey, but would not answer questions or identify themselves.
When reached later in the afternoon, Namey said no one else from the district went before the grand jury Tuesday.
As he left the courthouse, Namey spoke to reporters and shed light on other matters related and unrelated to his appearance.
Within the past two weeks, FBI agents interviewed district employees, Namey said. “It’s common knowledge that they spoke to a couple of teachers.”
Federal investigators are conducting a separate investigation into the Wilkes-Barre Area Vocational Technical School, according to Namey. “I have some knowledge, but I can’t comment,” he said.
Dave Janoski at the Citizen's Voice who is doing a yeoman's job covering the Luzerne County Courthouse investigation and prosecution recorded this comment in his article today.
Namey, who appeared in federal court in Scranton without an attorney, said it was his first time testifying before a grand jury. “It was not pleasant,” he told news reporters afterward.
“I was asked to provide some information and that’s exactly what I did,” Namey said. “If anything inappropriate occurred, there needs to be a consequence.”
Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, Namey said he “went in and had to provide some information and that’s exactly what I did.” He estimated he was before the panel for 25 to 30 minutes.
He was seen outside the grand jury room around 9:35 a.m. and again in the hallway near the room’s entrances at approximately 11:25 a.m.
Two men left the room about an hour before Namey, but would not answer questions or identify themselves.
When reached later in the afternoon, Namey said no one else from the district went before the grand jury Tuesday.
As he left the courthouse, Namey spoke to reporters and shed light on other matters related and unrelated to his appearance.
Within the past two weeks, FBI agents interviewed district employees, Namey said. “It’s common knowledge that they spoke to a couple of teachers.”
Federal investigators are conducting a separate investigation into the Wilkes-Barre Area Vocational Technical School, according to Namey. “I have some knowledge, but I can’t comment,” he said.
Dave Janoski at the Citizen's Voice who is doing a yeoman's job covering the Luzerne County Courthouse investigation and prosecution recorded this comment in his article today.
Namey, who appeared in federal court in Scranton without an attorney, said it was his first time testifying before a grand jury. “It was not pleasant,” he told news reporters afterward.
“I was asked to provide some information and that’s exactly what I did,” Namey said. “If anything inappropriate occurred, there needs to be a consequence.”
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Judge Michael Toole's Wife Resigns Part Time $47,436 Per Year Job
In what appears to be more fallout from the federal probe into the judiciary of the Luzerne County court system, Donna Toole, wife of Luzerne County Judge Michael T. Toole has resigned from her job as a law clerk for state Superior Court Judge Correale F. Stevens. Dave Janoski writes about this latest episode in today's Citizen's Voice.
“The reason she gave was with all the coverage about her husband — she knows the Superior Court is not involved in any way — she was concerned with appearances,” Stevens said. ”She said she just didn’t want the court questioned.”
Donna Toole, who is an attorney, declined comment. Her husband could not be reached for comment.
As always the disclaimer that neither has been charged with any offenses in connection with the ongoing investigation.
“The reason she gave was with all the coverage about her husband — she knows the Superior Court is not involved in any way — she was concerned with appearances,” Stevens said. ”She said she just didn’t want the court questioned.”
Donna Toole, who is an attorney, declined comment. Her husband could not be reached for comment.
As always the disclaimer that neither has been charged with any offenses in connection with the ongoing investigation.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Contributions Received By Judge Michale Toole During 2003
Here is a link to contributors, 839 in all, to Judge Michael Toole during his 2003 campaign.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Advice From Murtha Allies Guided Funding Requests, Documents Show
The Washington Post is reporting Electro-Optics Center relied on advice from a long time Murtha friend who now is an employee of the Congressman.
By Carol D. Leonnig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 17, 2009; A06
A Pennsylvania defense research center regularly consulted with two "handlers" close to Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.) as it collected nearly $250 million in federal funding through the lawmaker, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post and sources familiar with the funding requests. The center then channeled a significant portion of the funding to companies that were among Murtha's campaign supporters.
The two advisers included a lobbyist for PMA Group, a firm with close ties to Murtha that is the subject of a federal investigation into whether it made illegal contributions by reimbursing donors to the Pennsylvania lawmaker and other members of Congress. The Electro-Optics Center also relied on advice from a longtime Murtha friend who now works on the congressman's appropriations staff.
Federal agents are also exploring how the center obtained its funds after they received dozens of internal documents last year. It is unclear whether the records have become a central focus of the Justice Department's probe, but they open a window into a largely hidden process in which powerful lawmakers can direct funds to pet projects.
The Electro-Optics Center, created by Murtha a decade ago under the auspices of Pennsylvania State University, was envisioned as a way to spur a new high-tech industry and create jobs in economically depressed western Pennsylvania. Last year, the U.S. attorney in Pittsburgh received a packet of budget materials, memos and e-mails from inside the center documenting how closely its managers conferred with PMA about the best ways to get its projects funded in the federal budget, according to two sources familiar with the information.
The center was supposed to help contractors in researching laser and optics technology to improve products for the military, and center officials said contractors were supposed to benefit from some of the federal funds.
Unlike in traditional earmarks -- funding for specific projects publicly requested by members of Congress -- most of the money for the center came through a budget maneuver known as a "plus-up." The process for this kind of earmark allows lawmakers to add money to an existing program in the budget without public disclosure. The center sought $120 million in this type of money for itself and other companies in 2006 alone, according to the records.
Several of the center's partners hired PMA for lobbying. In the 2008 budget, PMA clients received $299 million in defense earmarks through Murtha and other lawmakers. PMA and its clients gave $775,000 in contributions to Murtha in the last election cycle.
You can read the rest on their website.
By Carol D. Leonnig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 17, 2009; A06
A Pennsylvania defense research center regularly consulted with two "handlers" close to Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.) as it collected nearly $250 million in federal funding through the lawmaker, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post and sources familiar with the funding requests. The center then channeled a significant portion of the funding to companies that were among Murtha's campaign supporters.
The two advisers included a lobbyist for PMA Group, a firm with close ties to Murtha that is the subject of a federal investigation into whether it made illegal contributions by reimbursing donors to the Pennsylvania lawmaker and other members of Congress. The Electro-Optics Center also relied on advice from a longtime Murtha friend who now works on the congressman's appropriations staff.
Federal agents are also exploring how the center obtained its funds after they received dozens of internal documents last year. It is unclear whether the records have become a central focus of the Justice Department's probe, but they open a window into a largely hidden process in which powerful lawmakers can direct funds to pet projects.
The Electro-Optics Center, created by Murtha a decade ago under the auspices of Pennsylvania State University, was envisioned as a way to spur a new high-tech industry and create jobs in economically depressed western Pennsylvania. Last year, the U.S. attorney in Pittsburgh received a packet of budget materials, memos and e-mails from inside the center documenting how closely its managers conferred with PMA about the best ways to get its projects funded in the federal budget, according to two sources familiar with the information.
The center was supposed to help contractors in researching laser and optics technology to improve products for the military, and center officials said contractors were supposed to benefit from some of the federal funds.
Unlike in traditional earmarks -- funding for specific projects publicly requested by members of Congress -- most of the money for the center came through a budget maneuver known as a "plus-up." The process for this kind of earmark allows lawmakers to add money to an existing program in the budget without public disclosure. The center sought $120 million in this type of money for itself and other companies in 2006 alone, according to the records.
Several of the center's partners hired PMA for lobbying. In the 2008 budget, PMA clients received $299 million in defense earmarks through Murtha and other lawmakers. PMA and its clients gave $775,000 in contributions to Murtha in the last election cycle.
You can read the rest on their website.
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