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.

[Ditto]

If the FBI is working on crimes totally within a state, why bother having a state? Why bother having state police?

1st reason. If the FBI does not do it, it won't get done. Live boys or dead girls in the bed of one of these powerful state pols will not get the attention of the politicized State Police bureaucracy. The PA State Police for the most part hand out tickets, bust low level drug dealers and cigarette smugglers, answer calls way out in the boonies where there are no local cops and supply some extra muscle to back local police when needed. They are not high end crime busters by any stretch of the imagination.

2nd reason. There are most often Federal monies involved in these scams, making it a "Federal Case."

This is not a states rights issue. Everyone in the state knows that Fumo is dirty, but he isn't stupid either. It will take some serious resources away from local political pressure to finally nail the SOB.

[Oldpuppymax]

Isn't it remarkable that any time a Dem is involved you have to scour the article for party affiliation. What a shock.

OLDPUPPYMAX

[MortMan]

It depends on whether any of the emails/etc. came from out of state. Crossing the state line would likely make it a federal issue.

[Chode]

do I really have to say it???

[Toddsterpatriot]

Isn't it remarkable that any time a Dem is involved you have to scour the article for party affiliation.

Exactly! Like it's a conspiracy or something.

[ml/nj]

What about Separation?

Calling Denny Hatert!!

This is a State Legislative matter. What is some Gestapo from the Federal Executive doing getting involved here?

ML/NJ

[CaptainMorgantown]

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.

Since the activity crosses state lines that seems like a reason for the FBI to be involved. Makes one wonder whether he is representing Philadelphia or New Jersey in the PA senate.

[HitmanLV]

I have known many true blue 'company guys' who would do this kind of stuff without hesitation for their masters. It always makes me laugh when I see them held accountable and take the fall.

[old republic]

1st reason. If the FBI does not do it, it won't get done. Live boys or dead girls in the bed of one of these powerful state pols will not get the attention of the politicized State Police bureaucracy. The PA State Police for the most part hand out tickets, bust low level drug dealers and cigarette smugglers, answer calls way out in the boonies where there are no local cops and supply some extra muscle to back local police when needed. They are not high end crime busters by any stretch of the imagination.

2nd reason. There are most often Federal monies involved in these scams, making it a "Federal Case."

---

There are a few parts of the above argument with which I disagree because they appear to contain a few logical fallacies. First it doesn't show that the FBI has Constitutional jurisdiction over this matter, which is what I presume is the point of your argument. (I do not think that the mere use of money that happens to be printed by the Federal Government is a convincing excuse to create federal jurisdiction in a matter. (IF someone embezzled money from the Feds that is different, but the mere use of money does not make something a Federal crime.) My question is what actually gave the FBI jurisdiction in this matter, because it is essential to answering the question of whether this is a states' rights issue or not.

Second, Your argument that if the FBI doesn't do it then no one will doesn't do it then no one will is a red herring. IF the FBI does it and it is unconstitutional, they are breaking the law. You set a dangerous precedent that does erode federalism, your natural rights, and the constitution itself if you allow the feds to have an omnipotent presence outside of their constitutional jurisdiction.

Third, the second sentence about live boys or dead girls in politicians beds is an appeal to pity. (e.g. Do it for the children) It doesn't address the argument on states rights vs federal power. If anyone's state government is that corrupt, I would suggest that they improve their own state government. If you don't have confidence in the state authorities, something must be done about it, they just need the authorization and the will to do it. Improving a nation begins locally and moves up the latter. Besides, do you think that the Politicians at the Federal level are anymore virtuous at the Federal level?

[old republic]

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.

Since the activity crosses state lines that seems like a reason for the FBI to be involved. Makes one wonder whether he is representing Philadelphia or New Jersey in the PA senate.

---

Thanks for the info, it answers the question I just asked.

[fish hawk]

Fifth paragraph before the word DEMOCRAT appears.

[airborne]

We need a new slogan in PA:

I like the one we have here in Central PA.

"Throw 'em all out!"

[CyberAnt]

You are exactly correct. However .. let's not exclude the culpability of the senators and reps - they give instructions and they allow these people to write this drivel.

[blau993]

As I said, South Philadelphia royalty. Your girl can always get an abortion -- your wife never. Wassamattuh, don youse wach de Sopranos?

[Victoria Delsoul]

I hope they throw the book at Fumo though - he's behind this.

[USMA '71]

I saw this suggested slogan/bumper sticker in the Allentown paper today Pennsylvania is not a democracy, it is an auction! Works for me.

[Ditto]

First it doesn't show that the FBI has Constitutional jurisdiction over this matter, which is what I presume is the point of your argument. (I do not think that the mere use of money that happens to be printed by the Federal Government is a convincing excuse to create federal jurisdiction in a matter.

Get off your Libertarian high horse for a bit and smell the real world. There are precious few things that state and local governments do today that do not include direct grants from the Feds or "matching dollars", particularly these idiot "community development" dollars that Fumo and hundreds of other local hacks get sticky fingers over. Here's an example from todays news about how nepotism, backscratching and bribary works in Pennsylvania and every other damn state <

If you want to argue if the Feds should not be involved in giving OUR money to every hair brained scheme that state and local hacks dream up, I won't argue with you a bit. But the fact is they have been doing it for 100 years and Congresscritters (both Rs and Ds) across the country get elected for life because they can "bring home the bacon" from Washington. Wake up. It's not because they printed the damn money. It's because it's part of the $2.7 TRILLION that the Feds spend every year.

There is absolutely nothing "unconstitutional" about the FBI investigating fraud where the Federal tax dollars are involved. It's their damn job! Moreover, with your contention that as long as it "remains within a state" I suppose that it would be OK with you if the People's Republic of [pick a state] decided that Freepers should be locked in detention camps or be forced to pay higher taxes than politically correct citizens. Do you realize that in some states, you could get such a law through the corrupt legislatures? Who are you going to call for help then if not the Feds? The state can lock you up and the locals can put a bullet in your head a lot faster than the Feds can. And both state and local jurisdictions have proven to be far more corrupt than the Feds since this nation was founded. (

State and local governments are the absolutely biggest threats to individual freedom in this country and always have been. Be it the stupid smoking laws today, or inhumane slavery laws in the past, it's the state and locals that are the most corrupt and the most dangerous to individuals.

[Ditto]

Third, the second sentence about live boys or dead girls in politicians beds is an appeal to pity. (e.g. Do it for the children)

LOL. You obviously never heard the old joke about politicians -- like Fumo.

[ozzymandus]

The FBI had better watch out, denny hastert will throw a fit about this, too.

[operation clinton cleanup]

To bad the White House loss of email archives were not recoverable in 1998. Algore and Billy Jeff might both be in prison now.