FBI Arrests 2 Pa. Senate Legislative Aides

AP ^ | 5/31/6 | MARYCLAIRE DALE

[SmithL]

PHILADELPHIA -- The FBI arrested two men who did computer work for a powerful state senator Wednesday on charges that they permanently deleted e-mails to thwart a federal investigation.

Leonard P. Luchko and Mark Eister performed electronic "wipes" of computers at Sen. Vincent J. Fumo's Senate offices, his home at the New Jersey shore and at a nonprofit with deep ties to Fumo, authorities allege.

"This was a deliberate, systematic and ultimately successful effort to interfere with a federal investigation," U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan said. "We have to assume that valuable information is lost forever."

The document does not name Fumo and he has not been charged. The affidavit refers to an unidentified senator who clearly is Fumo.

Luchko and Eister, employees of a state Senate entity that provides computer services to its Democratic members, are charged with obstruction of justice.

The investigation centers on whether Fumo used his office to extort corporate donations for the Citizens' Alliance for Better Neighborhoods, which benefits Fumo's South Philadelphia district. Investigators are trying to find out if the senator "benefited both politically and personally from expenditures made" by the nonprofit, according to court documents.

The nonprofit, which has helped finance charter schools and refurbished run-down properties in South Philadelphia, has obtained millions of dollars in donations from powerful entities that lobby the Legislature.

[SmithL]

Culture of Corruption Alert!

[Toddsterpatriot]

Luchko and Eister, employees of a state Senate entity that provides computer services to its Democratic members

I'm shocked to see this word in the story.

[SwinneySwitch]

Sinator Vince Fumo (D-Philadelphia)

[Markdb]

It's always the "aids" who take the fall. It will be interesting to see if this reaches all the way to the man himself.

[marlon]

Quick somebody call Dean, Pelosi and Reed and tell them another one of their flock has apparantly switched parties and has become a Republican. This is getting serious pretty soon their not going to have a party left with all of these pure as driven snow democrats switching parties so they can be part of the Culture of Corruption!!! LOL!!!

[marlon]

Whoops meant they're not their.

[2banana]

Wonder what he has in his freezer...

[snowrip]

They'll roll over on the senator.

[mewzilla]

This should get good....

[butternut_squash_bisque]

Jimmy Hoffa?

[ishabibble]

Kay Bailey Hutchins was interviewed by BOR last week after the vote passed on the immigration bill.

Both KBH and BOR were very disappointed, particularly about the Dodd(D-CT) amendment, which was the part about notifying the Mexican gov't about any American decisions on the southern border.

KBH said that the amendment was handed to her less than ONE HOUR before the final vote, and that it was 118 pages in length. Therefore, it was impossible to understand all of it and it was passed. Typical Democrat BS, but honest to God now, who in their right minds thinks that Pedro the Busboy wrote all that hot air BS? He didn't.

Who wrote that amendment designed only to infuriate conservatives and crawl to the powers in Mexico? These two weasels or someone just like them. It's the aides pulling the strings so many times. And so many, many of them are homosexual Ivy League snotnoses. The aides do the shredding because they know exactly where they hid the illegal stuff.
Because they wrote it.

[Palladin]

We need a new slogan in PA:

Pennsylvania--Land of Government Crooks

[jackieaxe]

The FBI is too big. This looks like an in-state issue where they should not have jurisdiction. Not long ago, FBI teamed up with organized crime in Boston. I have yet to see what, if any corrective actions that have been taken.

[jrooney]

I agree. They will roll over on this lousy donk senator. Give the donks more of their culture of corruption to swallow and choke on.

[blau993]

Don't worry -- you won't find anything but steaks and veal chops in Vince Fumo's freezer. Vince comes from South Philadelphia aristocracy. His uncle was the late Senator Buddy Cianfrani, the political godfather of South Philadelphia for many years. Vince learned politics and graft at the feet of some of the great masters of those arts. The Feds have been trying to nail him for years with no luck.

[Palladin]

I disagree. Somebody has to crack down on these terrible crooks--and it sure won't be Rendell or his State Police.

[Palladin]

Fumo is a sonnuvabitch. In the 70's, while proclaiming to be prolife, Fumo paid for his mistresses' abortions.

[jackieaxe]

If the FBI is working on crimes totally within a state, why bother having a state? Why bother having state police? Why bother having governors and legislators? There is probably some unconstitutional overreaching federal law allowing them to investigate this crime, but why? The federal government is too big and this is a symptom of that condition.

[Markdb]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not implying that the aids didn't know exactly what they were doing. I'm just saying that I think that sometimes members of congress and other officials hide behind their aids.

[philman_36]

If the FBI is working on crimes totally within a state, why bother having a state?
You are aware that there are federal laws and State laws aren't you? Answering that question should give you an idea of how to answer your own question.
Why bother having state police?
Because they're necessary to enforce State laws.
Why bother having governors and legislators?
Article 4 Section 4 of the Constitution.

OH! I just realized...those were rhetorical questions? Sorry.