Posted on 07/12/2008 7:28:52 PM PDT by Uncle Ralph
It's the top story in Pennsylvania. Twelve Democrat state leaders facing corruption charges in a massive scandal dubbed "Bonusgate." If it were twelve Republican state leaders, I guarantee you would have heard all about it by now. Via the Philly Daily News:
A SORDID TANGLE of corruption, cash and sex rocked the Statehouse yesterday in a political scandal that left one current and one former legislator and 10 current and former staff members facing criminal charges.
Among the accusations leveled by two state grand juries: Former top legislative staffer Mike Manzo got his lover, a twenty-something former rural beauty queen, a $29,000 job and $7,000 bonus mostly for doing her schoolwork.
State Attorney General Tom Corbett announced the charges against the 12, all Democrats, in a news conference in Harrisburg.
"It's a very sad day in Pennsylvania," Corbett said.
The long-running investigation began with a Harrisburg Patriot-News story about secret bonuses to legislative employees. The 12 are accused of using public funds to finance political activities, a vacation, meals for friends and Manzo's no-show job for his girlfriend.
The charges could harm Democrats in legislative battles this fall, and some have accused Republican Corbett of a partisan focus in the investigation.
Corbett said yesterday he'll probe Republicans and Democrats and that he had focused first on House Democrats because investigators discovered they were beginning to destroy documents relevant to the case.
"We are investigating all four caucuses of the general assembly," Corbett said.
Among the accusations in the grand-jury reports:
* In 2005, Manzo, then chief of staff to House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, gave a $21,000-a-year state job with virtually no duties to Angela Bertugli, a young woman he'd had a sexual relationship with since the previous summer.
The following year she made $29,000 plus a $7,000 bonus, even though other staffers never saw her and she had no discernible responsibilities.
Manzo's wife, Rachel, another former legislative staffer, also is charged with steering public money to political activities.
* Former House whip Mike Veon and Manzo directed more than $1 million in taxpayer-funded bonuses to legislative employees for working on political campaigns, often on state time.
More here.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Whoopee. Get the corrupt bastards all no matter what party.
Here in Pennsylvania, they handed out bonus money for Democrats on staff in the legislature.
The “bonuses” were for doing political work. These staff people worked on challenging Ralph Nader’s ballot signatures in PA in 2004. In 2006 they did opposition research on GOP candidates.
There were record “bonuses” handed out in 2006 for campaign work. That was the year when Dems took control of the State House of Representatives.
That’s illegal.
Normally, these sorts of things do not.
This will no doubt result in a call for more control over the internet(s).
“Whoopee. Get the corrupt bastards all no matter what party.”
You are absolutely right...
There are MANY corrupt Republicans, too...
“”Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government. Whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights.”
Thomas Jefferson
I've heard AG Corbett speaking to different groups in the past two months, and he hinted that the indictments will be coming all summer.
These may be the tip of the iceberg.
“some have accused Republican Corbett of a partisan focus in the investigation.”
That’s right, the problem isn’t the corrupt ‘Rats, it’s the Republican who is exposing them.
It's been quiet about the taxpayer money Rendell misspent on Hillary's primary campaign also.
Well, I did copy the story and forward it to all my friends here in PA. I bet they haven't heard either!
This story is a yawner. Nothing will come of this. Corruption is no respecter of party. I lived in Ohio during the Republican Governor Taft scandal. But maybe I’m just a “single issue” “extremist”. (yawn)
Yes, but we only hear about the Republicans. It's time we hear about the Dhimies, too
“Yes, but we only hear about the Republicans. It’s time we hear about the Dhimies, too.”
Let’s expose them all...
I despise most dims but my biggest problem is many Repubs today look just like dims...
“When we act like us we win. When we act like them we lose. Let’s win.”
Dick Armey
**charges against the 12, all Democrats**
Will the lamestream ABCNNBCBS carry this story?
“It’s time we hear about the Dhimies, too..”
Speaking of which, what’s going on with William Jefferson, Democrat, Louisiana?
Believe me, much more is yet to come on this. In fact, it has the potential of ripping the Democrat Party to pieces here in Pa. Also, as more things develop it will make it almost impossible for Obama to take Pa., a key state he needs. Top Democrats across the state are going to come tumbling down. You can bet on it.
Yeah, still waiting. They’re hoping B Hussein O will get elected.
It’s illegal for legislators to give jobs to people who do nothing? Who knew?
11 times “Democrat”, “Democratic” or a “D” was used to identify the perps in the article.
Bump.....
>”It’s a very sad day in Pennsylvania,” Corbett said.<
...it’ll be even sadder when all these guys stay in office. :(
ping
Its a start!
From your mouth to God's ears . . . we could use a good housecleaning here in PA.
Democrat Crime Syndicate and their methods of operation BUMP!
Thanks for posting, Uncle Ralph (and thanks to Michelle Malkin).
Only if the GOP has the gonads to put up capable conservative candidates. Otherwise, it will be business as usual.
Sorry. Correction- “Makes”
In NC we have our own scandal...the governor’s wife got a hefty pay raise in her “part” time position with one of the local colleges...but it was never approved by the college’s “pay” board. Well...to that effect...
More than 400 State Employees were involved in one way or another in BonusGate according to the following video:
...This is very big and consists almost entirely of despicable DemonRats being paid our tax dollars for political purposes.
The bonuses paid were for services performed while on state time,and were on top of their salaries.
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