What is Gene Stilp Hiding?

Gene Stilp, candidate for the 11th Congressional seat in Pennsylvania, is running of a record of requiring transparency in government.  The question for Mr. Stilp is does he talk the talk or walk the walk?

It appears as though he files by paper, delaying the public release of his reports – and disclosure of exactly who is financing his campaign – by as much as two weeks as the FEC scans and processes his snail-mail reports. Worse, it appears as though he refuses to provide this information when reporters  call to ask.

Citizens’ Voice Story on Campaign Finance for Third Quarter Report:

http://citizensvoice.com/news/smith-gives-casey-a-run-for-his-money-1.1388524

“Democratic opponent Gene Stilp, did not provide his campaign finance report to The Times-Tribune on Monday.”

Standard Speaker Story on Campaign Finance for Second Quarter Report:

http://standardspeaker.com/news/cartwright-barletta-lead-fundraising-1.1344466

“Efforts to reach Gene Stilp, Barletta's Democratic challenger, or obtain his report were unsuccessful. The deadline for filing the reports was Sunday, but the Federal Election Commission had not posted Stilp's report on its website by late Monday afternoon.”

Citizen’s Voice Story on Campaign Finance for First Quarter Report:

http://citizensvoice.com/news/holden-cartwright-rack-up-big-spending-on-campaigns-1.1299769

“A report for Gene Stilp, the Harrisburg area activist and consultant opposing Vinsko for the Democratic nomination, was unavailable.”

Here are the records of his filings, third quarter still doesn’t appear:

http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?C00509653

Mr. Stilp should answer the question since he squarely positioned himself as a crusader agasint government waste and corruption.

Some of his notable donations given his promise to be a crusader for the people is one from Emily Leader, attorney for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, Mary Cassidy of Arnold & Porter which its many practices include representing pharmaceutical firm interests, Eugene Fleuish, no address listed, Douglas Phelps, no address listed, Carl Mayer, Mayer Law Group which among other specialties focuses on immigration issues, Holly Sebastian, Pennsylvania Department of Education, and a notable one for Pennsylvanians, John Passacantando of Our Next Economy LLC, an activist/envrionmenalist who is campaigns against the coal industry.

Eachus, Veon And Campaign Debt

Let's roll back the tape in time to 2008. The states Democratic Campaign Panel decided in late 2007 to pay off the campaign debt, $40,683.00 worth, of former State Representative Michael Veon.

The House Democratic Campaign Committee in November and December paid $40,683 to retire Veon's campaign debt, according to Veon's report filed recently with the state election bureau. Veon could not be reached Wednesday.

"Mike's contribution as a leader to our collective effort meant a lot to us," said House Majority Policy Chairman Todd Eachus of Luzerne County, who chairs the campaign committee.

But the committee's other three leaders -- Reps. Joe Preston, Dan Frankel and Jennifer Mann -- apparently had no knowledge of the two payments.
"I didn't know about it. I haven't heard about it," said Preston of East Liberty, who handles candidate recruitment for the committee. "I'll ask questions about it."

"I had no idea this had been done," said Frankel of Squirrel Hill, co-chair of finance for the committee.

Mann of Allentown recently removed herself from the committee because she is running for state treasurer. She had been its fundraiser in Eastern Pennsylvania.

"I ... was not involved in the day-to-day workings. I know HDCC has bills that need to be paid," Mann said.

Eachus said there was precedent for retiring the debt of a former member, and that Veon donated countless hours and thousands of dollars to the committee.

"Everyone who looks at the public record can see it's a straightforward transaction, legal in nature," Eachus said.


Eachus always points to something being legal but never see its from the outside on whether it is morally right. Of course one must have morals before they apply.

Now roll the tape forward to 2010. Ex-power Veon gets 6-14 years
Former legislative kingpin was found guilty of using taxpayer resources in campaigns.

From ToddEachus.org.

In December of 2006, Todd’s fellow lawmakers elected him to the Democratic House Leadership Team as the Policy Committee Chairman. In this position, Todd will work directly with the Speaker of the House, the House Majority Leader, and Governor Rendell to lead Pennsylvania forward.

In addition to his legislative leadership roles, Todd also provides political leadership for Pennsylvania Democrats. In 2006 Todd’s campaign strategies and dedication to help incumbent members and first-time candidates led directly to House Democrats retaking the Majority for the first time since 1994.

Back to the article about Michael Veon's conviction.


A dapper dresser with a cocky demeanor who wore cowboy boots and rode motorcycles, Veon was once the second-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives. He served in the House for 22 years before voters ousted him in 2006 — the same year the party reclaimed a majority there for the first time in 12(years.)

There are many emails from AG Corbett's office regarding the Bonusgate investigation that include Todd Eachus's name in them from the Pennsylvania House computer system.
He may not have been charged but he cannot deny the contents of the emails.

Ed Mitchell- When Will Paul Pay The $250,000 Owed To The DCCC?

In today's Times Leader Bill O'Boyle writes a column about Kanjorski's campaign money vs. Lou Barletta's campagin funds.

There seems to be on factual piece missing from this article. Boyle writes

According to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission in Washington, Kanjorski, of Nanticoke, has $952,233 cash on hand and no debt as the November general election looms.

In fact Paul Kanjorski owes a $250,000 payment from his campaign funds for dues assessed to him by the DCCC that has not been made. I call that debt.

If Kanjorski's campaign were to make that payment instead of $952,233 on hand the CFC would have $702,233. Since Ed Mitchell stated it costs approximately $100,000 per week to advertise on television Mitchell will only be able to buy seven weeks of air time.

“We’ll just have to wait and see what he comes up with,” said Ed Mitchell, spokesman for Kanjorski’s campaign. “Mr. Barletta claims to be a major fundraiser nationally, but it seems like he is lagging behind.”

It is a fact that Lou Barletta For Congress has raised more money at this point in time than in the 2008 race.

Kanjorski claims to be a powerful person in Congress.

Democratic leaders assess dues on members of their caucus, ranging from $800,000 each for top lawmakers to $150,000 annually for less powerful members.

Rep. Paul Kanjorski, a Pennsylvania Democrat who won re-election with 52 percent of the vote, has not paid his $250,000 DCCC dues despite almost $1.2 million in the bank.

So how powerful is he if his DCCC dues assessment is only $250,000 out of $800,000 potential?

As for Kanjorski's campaign money I point to a comment left on the O'Boyle article. (V)irtually all of Kanjorskis money comes from Wall Street banks, insurance companies, credit unions, and others that he is supposed to regulate. Aren't those types of conflict of interest what Kanjorski has been howling about with the fiancial institutions he claims need regulating?

Kanjorski's Donations There Outta Here- Well His District Anyway

According to this article in the Pennsylvania Independent Paul Kanjorski found 57% of his campaign money outside the borders of Pennsylvania.

According to a map of congressional districts, Paul Kanjorski (D), the 13-term Congressional incumbent, officially represents the people of northeast Pennsylvania's 11th congressional district. But Mr. Kanjorski's campaign wallet tells a different story, with 57 percent of personal contributions toward his re-election campaign coming from outside the state.

Mr. Kanjorski's case, funds come from 30 different states. During the current election cycle, he has received more than $46,000 from people in New York and more than $34,000 from people in Washington, along with donations from as far away as Ogden, Utah, and San Diego, California. Of his $116,000 in contributions from inside Pennsylvania, nearly $70,000 has come from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh combined, and neither of those cities are part of Mr. Kanjorski's congressional district.

"This is further evidence that Paul Kanjorski does not have any support on the ground from this congressional district," said Vince Galko, a spokesman for one of Mr. Kanjorski's potential Republican opponents in November, Hazelton Mayor Lou Barletta.

P.S. One fact not noticed on the initial post. Look at the money Joe Sestak raised compared to Paul Kanjorski. So much for seniority.

Leighton's Campaign Finances- Ethical Issues

The Times Leader ran an article about donations from Marvin Slomowitz and William Rinaldi in reference to the dredge project in Hazleton. For some unknown reason reporter Andrew Seder brought State Rep. John Yudicahk into the donation picture without doing a similar look at Wilkes Barre Mayor Tom Leighton. Of course those on the inside know that Rep. Todd Eachus and Congressman Paul Kanjorski are supporting Leighton's efforts against Yudichak in the Senate race to replace retiring Senator Ray Musto's seat.

A look at Leighton's campaign finance records on the Luzerne County website reveals some interesting information.

Within the 6th Tuesday Pre-Election Campaign Finance Report the following donations bring up some curious questions. Diamond Manufacturing Company is listed as a $400.00 donor on 06/246/2009 found on page 16. Diamond Manufacturing is listed as a corporation on the state's Corporation Bureau. Pennsylvania prohibits direct corporate donations to campaigns.

In the 2nd Friday Pre-Election CFR in 2008 West Side Hammer Electric Inc, another corporate donor, of Bethlehem is listed as a donor in the amount of $300.00 on 07/09/2008.

Seder failed to point out Marvin Slomovitz's donation to Leighton on 05/27/2009 in the amount of $300.00 found on page 12.

Falzone Realty is listed with a donation of $300.00 on 03/27/2009 (and 06/12/2008) found on page 12 but a search for that entity failed to produce any results on the Corporate Bureau, Department of State licensing or Switchboard.com.

Oddly enough Falzone Towing Service, Inc., another Pennsylvania corporation, is listed at the address, 365 Pierce Street, Kingston, on the CFR and the Corporate Bureau. Since there is no listing at the Department of State for a realtor there seems to be a huge question about the validity of that donation.

Kane for District Justice is listed as a donor on page 10 in the total amount of $500.00 listed as $300.00 on 06/11/2009 and $200.00 on 06/29/2009. According to the Judicial Cannon 7 District Justices are not permitted to engage in political activity of this type. (1) A judge or a candidate for election to judicial office should not: (c) solicit funds for or pay an assessment or make a contribution to a political organization or candidate.

Robert Mericle gave a $300.00 donation on 06/10/2009 listed on page 19 and was charged by the U.S. Attorney's office on 08/13/2009. It had been common knowledge that Mr. Mericle was Participant No. 2 in a complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney on January 31, 2009 in the Luzerne County corruption scandal. Why did Tom Leighton accept the donation and why wasn't it returned?

On the in-kind contributions list are donations from Rodano's Restaurant and Patt Patte. If you read this Legal Opinion from the Chief Counsel of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board gift certificates awarded as prizes must be for food only, as the awarding of gift certificates that include alcoholic beverages would be prohibited for the reasons provided in response to your first question. Was there a disclaimer on those gift certificates?

In the 2nd Pre-Primary 2008 CFR Leighton lists a loan to himself from the campaign on 01/17/2008 in the amount of $2,000.00 found on page 6. He repays the loan back to the campaign on 04/01/2008 found on page 5. Loans to committees are permissable but loans from a campaign committee to oneself is another question.

In the 2nd Friday Pre-Election CFR from 2008 the report lists a fee for a bounced check on 07/25/2008 found on page 25.

One suspects Leighton felt comfortable with his reports and didn't anticipate Ray Musto's retirement or the scrutiny his candidacy would cause.

Judges Says Donations Aren't Considered In Court Cases

Do campaign contributions donated to Luzerne County judicial candidates or sitting judges seeking retention affect the way they rule in court cases? Jennifer Learn-Andes posed a question to five of seven sitting judges to seek the answer. You will find her report in today's Times Leader.

Two lawyers appear in court. One donated thousands to the judge’s campaign and the other gave nothing. Will they be treated the same?

Absolutely, say five of the seven elected Luzerne County judges who accepted campaign donations from lawyers.

But getting people to believe that is a problem, said Shira Goodman, co-director of the nonprofit Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts.

There’s a growing public perception in Pennsylvania and nationally that judges can’t simply be impartial with donors who helped them get elected or pay off campaign debt, Goodman said.

“With the courts, perception is reality. Even if that perception is wrong, people don’t think they’re getting a fair shake. That undermines the whole system,” Goodman said.

“You don’t want anyone to say, ‘I wonder if my lawyer gave money to the judge.’ ”

My personal belief is that campaign donations should be limited. Attorneys like Mike Butera just don't seem to get it. Jerry Lynott of the Times Leader writes the following information in his story yesterday.

When attorney Michael Butera learned the campaign committee to retain Luzerne County Judge Michael Conahan was accepting donations from members of the bar in 2003, he contributed $10,000.

The contribution came nearly a year after Conahan awarded Butera $931,452 in a non-jury trial for injuries suffered in a bicycle accident.

It was the largest single amount the Hughestown attorney said he gave to a candidate and was totally voluntary.

It raises no concerns for me,” Butera said Friday. “Judge Conahan never asked me for a penny.” It may not raise a concern for you Mike, but it certainly taints the public's perception of the judiciary and would appear to cast doubt, something the Judicial Canons try to address.

Previously I wrote how former Judge Ciavarella donated $12,500.00 to the Luzerne County Democratic Party during his retention campaign. How does a Republican feel if he would go before Ciavarella? Would he/she stand a chance? Ask Lou Barletta when Ciavarella ruled on the address of Michael Marsicano during his mayoral campaign in 2007.

How Campaign Donations Can Break Down Barriers To Political Access- Hidden Unfairness

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as well as the Federal Election Commission have websites where anyone can look up campaign contributions made on behalf of candidates. Curiosity got the better of me concerning the campaign contributions.

There has been a discussion in the business community about grants and loans that politicians bring back home from either Harrisburg or Washington. For example, if a restaurant receives a low interest loan for $1 million dollars it can hurt the competition in the area that does not have the same political access. In this case I looked at Robert Mericle and his companies because the growth and success of his business has been phenomenal when compared to others in the same business. I looked at contributions made by Robert Mericle and/or his business entities for the years 1998 through 2008 on a federal and a state level.

Here is the breakdown:

In 1998 Tom Ridge was the recipient of $36,000.00.

In 1999 The Ridge Leadership Fund received a $10,000.00 donation and Friends of Mike Fisher received $1,000.00

Oddly, nothing of significance was noted in the year 2000 data.

In 2001 The Ridge Leadership Fund receives another $10,000.00 and Robert Casey For Governor receives $16,000.00.

In 2002 Edward Rendell For Governor accepts $10,500.00 in donations. Fisher For Governor receives $10,000.00 and Robert Casey For Governor is given another $5,000.00

In 2003 Edward Rendell For Governor receives another $10,000.00 and Robert Casey For Treasurer accepts $1,000.00

In 2004 Edward Rendell For Governor receives another $5,000.00 and Robert Casey For Treasuer is given another $2,000.00.

In 2005 Mark Ciavarella For Retention receives $2,250.00. The Democratic Senate Campaign Committee comes on board for $2,000.00. Friends of Bob Mellow recieve $5,525.00.

And then the winds blow in. Hold onto your hat.

In 2006 the Committee To Elect Eddie Day Pashinski received $2,600.00. Edward Rendell For Governor receives $70,000.00. The Democratic Senate Committee accepts another $5,000.00. The SenatorMellow06 Committee receives $10,000.00 while Friends Of Bob Mellow accept $25,700.00.

In 2007 the Democratic Senate Committee is given another $5,000.00. The Committee For Rob McCord accepts $2,500.00. David Lupas For Judge Committee recieves $6,200.00. Friends of Bob Mellow accept another $75,875.00. Friends of Mike Carroll receive $2,000.00.

In 2008 the Democratic Senate Committee accepts another $5,000.00. The McCord Committee receives $25,000.00. Edward Rendell for Governor is given $15,000.00. Friends of Bob Mellow come up light at $875.00. Friends of Mike Carroll receive $4,500.00.

So lets add some of these up. Tom Ridge and The Ridge Leadership Fund received $56,000.00 but then the donations went mostly Democratic.

Edward Rendell For Governor received $110,500.00 since 2002. Friends of Bob Mellow and SenatorMellow06 were given a combined $117,975.00. Robert Casey For Governor and Treasurer received $23,250.00. The Democratic Senate Committee tallied up to $17,000.00. David Lupas For Judge received $6,250.00. Mark Ciavarella For Retention received $2,250.00.

On a federal level Paul Kanjorski via Pennsylvanians For Kanjorski has received $8,000.00 since 1998. Bob Casey For Pennsylvania Commmittee was the recipient of $2,100.00 while Bob Casey For Senate received $4,600.00. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee received $11,000.00. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee received $10,000.00. The RNC Republican National State Elections Committee received $5,000.00 on 11/03/2000. The Republican Federal Committee of Pennsylvania received $10,000.00 on 10/04/2005. The Pennsylvania Senate 2006 received $5,000.00 on 11/06/2006.

The total donations made on a federal level was $66,600.00 since 1998 including donations I have not published here. The total donations on a state level(including donations not listed here) were a whopping $444,395.00 for the same period..

The power of Congress lies in the committees where the bills are written. The committee chairman have tremendous control over the language written into a bill. Politicians who are not receptive to big campaign donors usually don't rise to these high offices. Party funds are such a big part of election funding that loss of party funds almost guarantees a loss of the election. On a state level the governor by him or herself is one of the three legislative bodies in most states. It is hard for proposed legislation to become law unless the governor ends up supporting it. A governor of a large state like Pennsylvania is more powerful than the governor of a small state.

Consider the gaming industry in Pennsylvania. Large campaign contributions created legal versions of gambling that were prohibited in the Commonwealth. The current voting methods and funding of candidates means the most ethical individual is so vulnerable to being influenced through money that the average voter really has no say except to place the person in office.

This problem is how we arrived at our financial crisis today. Large corporations influenced Congress to change the laws regarding savings and loans in the 80's. The new laws enabled these businesses to engage in financially irresponsible activity.

Is there a hidden unfairness in U.S. elections known as the disease "cashous infectous"? Is there an equal amount of access to politicians when individual donations can be drowned out with sizable donations like these?

State Figures By Year
1998- $38,000.00 1999- $11,000.00 2000- $1,650.00 2001- $27,100.00 2002- $26,600.00

2003- $14,100.00 2004- $10,910.00 2005- $18,100.00 2006- $131,075.00
2007- $97,200.00 2008- $68,650.00

Pinocchio, Obama and Campaign Finance

Hilary Clinton was right. Obama reversed his pledge to take public financing. With the amount of money he raised in this election he can never claim that private interests were never part of his campaign.

In February 2007, I proposed a novel way to preserve the strength of the public financing system in the 2008 election. My plan requires both major party candidates to agree on a fundraising truce, return excess money from donors, and stay within the public financing system for the general election. My proposal followed announcements by some presidential candidates that they would forgo public financing so they could raise unlimited funds in the general election. The Federal Election Commission ruled the proposal legal, and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has already pledged to accept this fundraising pledge. If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election.

The Obama campaign has said different things at different times on the issue of public financing. While there may have been a little wriggle room in some campaign statements, Obama's affirmative answer to the Midwest Democracy Network seems unequivocal. Now that Obama is raising $1 million a day, his enthusiasm for public financing appears to have waned."

It didn't wane. It evaporated into thin air like most of what he said during this campaign. If you check the QVC site you can probably buy a packaged Obama. He has little experience, lacks the knowledge to run the most powerful economy on the planet, no military experience yet he will be in charge of the most powerful military powerhouse on the third rock from the sun, knows little about healthcare, never championed energy conservation to my knowledge, etc. etc. etc.

When the euphoria settles and the realities of a time in this country never experienced before rises above the fairy dust America will once again search for answers. Already the second stimulus package is doomed in this lame duck session.

We will be waiting for our money just like we've been waiting for Ed Rendell's tax rebate from the casino money. While we were distracted from our state affairs by this national election a sobering story emerged about Pennsylvania's finances. Senators predict $3 billion budget shortfall in wake of national economic crisis

"Minority Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Vince Fumo, a Democrat from Philadelphia, says a tax increase is inevitable with a $3 billion dollar hole in the $28.3 billion dollar state budget."

Let's see. Democratic Governor, Democratic Controlled House... I guess the euphoria is setting into some stern realities. BTW. how are those Democrats doing in Luzerne County?

Please don't take this post to be a Republican vindication. It is exactly the opposite. For you see, these facts follow what I have been saying all along. Our problems are neither Repulican or Democrat created. They have been created by both parties. Washington and Harrisburg are the problems. The sooner we all stay on the same side rather than bickering about George Bush or Nancy Pelosi the sooner we can return our government back to us.

If you do end up with an economic stimulus check I suggest that you save it. Vince already told us it's spent.