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    Signor Ferrari
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    A grand jury is looking into whether bonuses were given in the past for political campaign work. Last week, a judge ruled that 18 boxes of records seized from a House Democratic research office can be presented to the jury as evidence. The grand jury's work was inspired by disclosure that both Democratic and Republican legislative leaders gave key staff members end-of-year bonuses in 2006. It is against the law for a legislative employee to do party or campaign work during the work day or use state office space, equipment or supplies

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    A grand jury is looking into whether bonuses were given in the past for political campaign work. Last week, a judge ruled that 18 boxes of records seized from a House Democratic research office can be presented to the jury as evidence. The grand jury's work was inspired by disclosure that both Democratic and Republican legislative leaders gave key staff members end-of-year bonuses in 2006. It is against the law for a legislative employee to do party or campaign work during the work day or use state office space, equipment or supplies

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    89 views2 pages

    Morning Call 102207

    Uploaded by

    Signor Ferrari
    A grand jury is looking into whether bonuses were given in the past for political campaign work. Last week, a judge ruled that 18 boxes of records seized from a House Democratic research office can be presented to the jury as evidence. The grand jury's work was inspired by disclosure that both Democratic and Republican legislative leaders gave key staff members end-of-year bonuses in 2006. It is against the law for a legislative employee to do party or campaign work during the work day or use state office space, equipment or supplies

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    of 2

    As grand jury's probe of bonuses widens, look for ways to tamp down partisanship

    October 22, 2007


    The state Senate went whistling past the graveyard last week with a unanimous vote to forbid the
    payment of bonuses to staff members in the future. It was the right thing to do, of course. But a grand
    jury looking into whether such bonuses were given in the past for political campaign work by staff who
    were on the taxpayers' dime soon may widen its reach.

    Last week, Commonwealth Court Judge Barry Feudale, who is overseeing the grand jury's work, ruled
    that 18 boxes of records seized from a House Democratic research office can be presented to the jury as
    evidence. The judge characterized the material as an effort ''to keep a 'book' on certain legislators
    and/or candidates for office'' and said it was clearly not legislative in nature. Among the items taken
    from the House Democratic Office of Legislative Research in the state capitol building were files
    labeled ''opposition research'' ''incumbent protection plan'' and ''memo on challenger in election,'' the Pi
    ttsburgh Post-Gazette has reported.

    The grand jury's work was inspired by disclosure that both Democratic and Republican legislative
    leaders gave key staff members end-of-year bonuses in 2006. The House Democrats gave about $1.9
    million to employees and House Republicans distributed about $270,000. In the Senate, the Democrats'
    bonuses totaled $38,000 and Senate Republicans, $180,000. It is against the law for a legislative
    employee to do party or campaign work during the work day or use state office space, equipment or
    supplies.

    Since the total bonuses going to Democratic employees were larger than those going to Republicans, it
    has been reported that evidence given to the grand jury so far by state Attorney General Tom Corbett
    has focused on Democrats. About 15 employees have been called to testify, including employees of
    House Majority Leader H. William DeWeese, D-Waynesburg and former Minority Leader Michael
    Veon, who lost his seat in last year's election.

    State Democratic Chairman T.J. Rooney, the former state representative from Fountain Hill, protested
    on Oct. 14 that Mr. Corbett was not investigating Republicans who got bonuses. The attorney general,
    who is a Republican, denied that, and suggested that the case be allowed to run its course. On Oct. 16,
    Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli, a Democrat who plans to challenge Mr.
    Corbett next year, called for him to appoint an independent prosecutor.

    We have no reason to question Mr. Corbett's independence and integrity, but Mr. Morganelli's
    suggestion isn't a bad one. Having someone who is not seeking re-election take care of the grand jury
    presentments as next year's campaign gets under way would be good for those important proceedings --
    regardless of who suggested the change in the first place.

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