Judge Edwin Kosik sentenced former Judge Mark Ciavarella to 28 years in prison. According to Sue Henry of WILK news radio Ciavarella intends on surrendering today.
Update: The Times Leader is reporting this storyM on the sentencing of disgraced former Judge Mark Ciavarella in what the U.S. Attorney's Office is calling the most corrupt investigation in local history.
The federal investigation, the largest and the most sustained political corruption inquiry in the history of the Middle District of Pennsylvania, was initiated under the direction of former U.S. Attorney Martin C. Carlson, now a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Middle District, and continued under Dennis C. Pfannenschmidt, who succeeded Carlson as court-appointed U.S. Attorney in 2009, and Smith, the current U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Showing posts with label sentencing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sentencing. Show all posts
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Phyllis Mundy Misplaced Lack of Support To Deal With Public Corruption
On Monday, June 13th, Representative Tarah Toohil moved a bill dealing with corrupt public officials to the floor for a vote. Robert Swift, Harrisburg correspondent, wrote this synopsis of the vote on this bill.
The measure, approved 169-32, would set mandatory/minimum terms of sentences for officials found guilty of the existing crime of official corruption and give victims the opportunity for the first time to seek restitution to recover court-related costs. This crime refers to someone using their public office to infringe on an individual's personal or property rights.
In an unacceptable position from an elected public official from Luzerne County, Rep. Phyllis Mundy voted NO against the bill.
Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-120, Kingston, called the bill an example of "misplaced priorities" given corrections cost issues. She said the two ex-judges are receiving federal sentences of far greater severity than what the bill provides.
"This bill is really not about Luzerne County even though it purports to be," she added.
Ms. Mundy was joined by several other Democratic lawmakers who said the legislation would add to state corrections costs at a time when Pennsylvania contracted with other state to house convicts in a cost-savings move.
Evidently Rep. Phyllis Mundy is not paying attention to the sentencing of 30 officials snagged in her CORRUPT COUNTY.
Doug Richards- 15 months
Allen Bellas- 6 months house arrest
James Height- 5 months
Jeffrey Piazza- 6 months
Frank Pizzella- 2 years probation 5 months house arrest
Joseph Oliveri- 1 year and one day
Ross Scarantino- 13 months
Brian Dunn- 18 months
Circomlution For Dummies writes
Yeah, okay, so 30-some have been charged. And, what, 25 or so have been sentenced?
And what, pray tell, did those sentences amount to other than a gigantic slap on the collective wrists?
Mundy makes the ridiculous claim that sentencing would burden the budget. So what she is really saying is there are that many corrupt officials out there who, if sentenced, would send the budget into a tailspin. Sorry, Ms. Mundy, on this issue you are either misinformed or part of the problem.
With 169-32 passage, obviously Rep. Mundy should be held accountable for not supporting legislation to clean up public corruption.
The measure, approved 169-32, would set mandatory/minimum terms of sentences for officials found guilty of the existing crime of official corruption and give victims the opportunity for the first time to seek restitution to recover court-related costs. This crime refers to someone using their public office to infringe on an individual's personal or property rights.
In an unacceptable position from an elected public official from Luzerne County, Rep. Phyllis Mundy voted NO against the bill.
Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-120, Kingston, called the bill an example of "misplaced priorities" given corrections cost issues. She said the two ex-judges are receiving federal sentences of far greater severity than what the bill provides.
"This bill is really not about Luzerne County even though it purports to be," she added.
Ms. Mundy was joined by several other Democratic lawmakers who said the legislation would add to state corrections costs at a time when Pennsylvania contracted with other state to house convicts in a cost-savings move.
Evidently Rep. Phyllis Mundy is not paying attention to the sentencing of 30 officials snagged in her CORRUPT COUNTY.
Doug Richards- 15 months
Allen Bellas- 6 months house arrest
James Height- 5 months
Jeffrey Piazza- 6 months
Frank Pizzella- 2 years probation 5 months house arrest
Joseph Oliveri- 1 year and one day
Ross Scarantino- 13 months
Brian Dunn- 18 months
Circomlution For Dummies writes
Yeah, okay, so 30-some have been charged. And, what, 25 or so have been sentenced?
And what, pray tell, did those sentences amount to other than a gigantic slap on the collective wrists?
Mundy makes the ridiculous claim that sentencing would burden the budget. So what she is really saying is there are that many corrupt officials out there who, if sentenced, would send the budget into a tailspin. Sorry, Ms. Mundy, on this issue you are either misinformed or part of the problem.
With 169-32 passage, obviously Rep. Mundy should be held accountable for not supporting legislation to clean up public corruption.
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.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Veon and Rosepink Sentenced This Morning
Follow Tracey Mauriello's Twitter Tweets on the right column for up to date news on the sentencing of Anna Marie Peretta-Rosepink and former State Representative Michael Veon this morning. You can also find the Bonusgate Twitter here.
Anna Marie Peretta-Rosepink received 3-6 months in Dauphin County jail, followed by intermediate punishment(3 months house arrest) & probation. Also $8,000 in fines and $25,000 restitution. She has to prepare for a second court case she is involved in so Judge Lewis set bail at $25,000.00 pending appeal. She smiled after receiving her sentence. Brett Cott's previous sentencing had to weigh on her mind.
10:14 A.M. Veon Sentencing starting Veon Attorney Dan Raynak says he is going to take a little time.
You can read Mauriello's update story on Post Gazette here.
11:27 A.M. Judge Lewis says Veon will not get probation for "blatant criminal activity" and he state Veon abused power despite helping alot of people.
11:28 A.M. Veon receives 9-24 months on first count with 13 more counts to go
11:32 A.M. Halfway through counts and up to 28 months to 8 years
11:35 A.M. $37,000 fine, $100,000.00 restitution prison time 6 to 14 years.
Veon is denied bail and led out of the courtroom in handcuffs.
11:54 A.M. Veon led back into courtroom without cuffs for a vice hearing to see if Attorney Raynak from Arizona can represent him in another proceeding.
Mauriello's story on the Veon sentencing Post Gazette.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
State Recommends 12 Years In Prison For Mike Veon
In a sentencing memorandum filed Tuesday in Dauphin County Common Pleas Court, they asked for a 12- to 17-year sentence for Mr. Veon, 53, who they said "presided over a vast criminal enterprise specifically designed to utilize as many public resources as possible in pursuit of his political and campaign ambitions."
In a separate filing, they asked for 19 to 24 months imprisonment for Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink, who ran Mr. Veon's district office in Beaver Falls.
Sentencing is scheduled for Friday before Dauphin County Judge Richard A. Lewis.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Brett Cott Sentenced In Bonusgate Conviction
Democratic aide Brett Cott has been sentenced to 21-64 months in prison for his role in the Bonusgate scandal that rocked Harrisurg, Pennsylvania's capitol according to Brad Bumsted.
Citing a "clear violation of the public trust," a Dauphin County judge today sentenced a former aide of ex-Democratic Whip Mike Veon to 21 months to five years in a state prison for stealing taxpayer resources for political campaigns.
Cott was handcuffed and led away by sheriff's deputies after Common Pleas Judge Richard Lewis denied bail. He was to be taken to Dauphin County Prison to be transported to Camp Hill State Correctional Institution for processing into the state prison system.
Defense attorney Bryan Walk said he will appeal the conviction and the sentence. He called the sentence "excessive" and said there are drug dealers prosecuted by the attorney general's office who get less time.
The sentence was harsher than even prosecutors recommended. Tom Barnes of the Post-Gazette wrote:
The judge said Mr. Cott spent most of his time that was paid for on taxpayer dollars "orchestrating and mastermining political activity." The judge said "public money was used like monopoly money to run campaigns. Some potential candidates were scared off by this taxpayer funded juggernaut. The public was also victimized."
He said probation was not an option because that "would demean the seriousness of the crimes."
In a related story AG Tom Corbett withdrew his subpoenas of Twitter accounts seeking to find the identities of two users who have been critical of Mr. Corbett on the social networking site.
Deputy Attorney General E. Marc Costanzo said today the attorney general's office had no intention of violating anyone's First Amendment rights to free speech by issuing the subpoenas -- he said they were issued for "legal reasons, allowed by law. They had nothing to do with bloggers or tweets of people."
He said the state was trying to show that harsh, negative criticism of Mr. Corbett, especially in the blog CasablancaPA, was "part of Brett Cott's demeanor,"' and showed that he had no "remorse or contrition" about what he'd done. He said Mr. Cott's demeanor was a proper subject to be considered at sentencing.
In the attorney general's memo given to the judge before the sentencing, 17 "aggravating factors" were listed, showing that in the state's opinion Mr. Cott deserved a strong punishment.
One paragraph reads: "Defendant has extensively and anonymously utilized a blog entitled 'CasablancaPA, Exposing the hypocrisy of Tom Corbett,' to deflect blame and deny responsibility for his criminal conduct, and to attack and malign the investigative and prosecutorial process which resulted in his conviction."
Most in the blogging world including SOP scoffed at Corbett's strategy on this one. Cott was convicted and awaitiing sentencing. "Squishing the bug on the ground a little more" wasn't going to serve a greater purpose for society. With Pennsylvania's budget woes due to a loss of projected income meant that AG Corbett should have been a better steward of the resources provided to his office. He may make the claim that these people weren't paid anymore money to file the subpoenas. But most know that there are only so many hours in a work week. If one spends time on this issue another more pressing matter is being forgotten or put aside. Next time Tom use your head.
Citing a "clear violation of the public trust," a Dauphin County judge today sentenced a former aide of ex-Democratic Whip Mike Veon to 21 months to five years in a state prison for stealing taxpayer resources for political campaigns.
Cott was handcuffed and led away by sheriff's deputies after Common Pleas Judge Richard Lewis denied bail. He was to be taken to Dauphin County Prison to be transported to Camp Hill State Correctional Institution for processing into the state prison system.
Defense attorney Bryan Walk said he will appeal the conviction and the sentence. He called the sentence "excessive" and said there are drug dealers prosecuted by the attorney general's office who get less time.
The sentence was harsher than even prosecutors recommended. Tom Barnes of the Post-Gazette wrote:
The judge said Mr. Cott spent most of his time that was paid for on taxpayer dollars "orchestrating and mastermining political activity." The judge said "public money was used like monopoly money to run campaigns. Some potential candidates were scared off by this taxpayer funded juggernaut. The public was also victimized."
He said probation was not an option because that "would demean the seriousness of the crimes."
In a related story AG Tom Corbett withdrew his subpoenas of Twitter accounts seeking to find the identities of two users who have been critical of Mr. Corbett on the social networking site.
Deputy Attorney General E. Marc Costanzo said today the attorney general's office had no intention of violating anyone's First Amendment rights to free speech by issuing the subpoenas -- he said they were issued for "legal reasons, allowed by law. They had nothing to do with bloggers or tweets of people."
He said the state was trying to show that harsh, negative criticism of Mr. Corbett, especially in the blog CasablancaPA, was "part of Brett Cott's demeanor,"' and showed that he had no "remorse or contrition" about what he'd done. He said Mr. Cott's demeanor was a proper subject to be considered at sentencing.
In the attorney general's memo given to the judge before the sentencing, 17 "aggravating factors" were listed, showing that in the state's opinion Mr. Cott deserved a strong punishment.
One paragraph reads: "Defendant has extensively and anonymously utilized a blog entitled 'CasablancaPA, Exposing the hypocrisy of Tom Corbett,' to deflect blame and deny responsibility for his criminal conduct, and to attack and malign the investigative and prosecutorial process which resulted in his conviction."
Most in the blogging world including SOP scoffed at Corbett's strategy on this one. Cott was convicted and awaitiing sentencing. "Squishing the bug on the ground a little more" wasn't going to serve a greater purpose for society. With Pennsylvania's budget woes due to a loss of projected income meant that AG Corbett should have been a better steward of the resources provided to his office. He may make the claim that these people weren't paid anymore money to file the subpoenas. But most know that there are only so many hours in a work week. If one spends time on this issue another more pressing matter is being forgotten or put aside. Next time Tom use your head.
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