Democratic offices searched in Harrisburg (PA)

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | August 30, 2007 | Dennis B. Roddy and Tracie Mauriello

[rightwingintelligentsia]

HARRISBURG -- State investigators last week executed a search warrant on the Capitol basement headquarters of the Democratic Office of Legislative Research in a broadening investigation into whether state employees were used to run several political campaigns last year.

The search, carried out shortly after 10 a.m. last Thursday, is part of a probe into former state Rep. Michael Veon, D-Beaver Falls, and whether he used taxpayer funds for campaign activities at the time he served as House Democratic whip.

A state grand jury is currently investigating Mr. Veon as well as a half-dozen other Democratic activists, state employees and former legislators, sources told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

One person familiar with the raid said agents appeared to know the precise location of boxes believed to contain campaign records, including research into Republican opponents. Four agents, dressed in suits, who brought their own dollies to carry away the material, presented a search warrant, quickly removed the boxes and carted them to a waiting van parked nearby.

The raid has set up a potential constitutional showdown between the office of Attorney General Tom Corbett, a Republican, and legislative leaders over whether a search of the Capitol office violated the state constitution's separation of powers. The issues largely mirror the ones raised on the federal level after FBI agents last year searched the office of U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., as part of an ongoing bribery investigation.

[fatnotlazy]

I’d be happy if they could indict the crooked governor, but I don’t suppose this investigation will reach that far.

[rightwingintelligentsia]

PA ‘Rat corruption ping.

[fatnotlazy]

“The issues largely mirror the ones raised on the federal level after FBI agents last year searched the office of U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., as part of an ongoing bribery investigation.”

***

Note to the officers conducting the search: Check all refrigerators, particularly the freezer compartments. :)

[angcat]

Good Morning,

Why am I not suprised!

[mathluv]

While I understand the reason/need for separation of powers, does that not give any member of the legislative (or any other) branch the opportunity to run any illegal operation out of those offices? How do you NOT search for illegal activity?

[USArmySpouse]

Heh. I love it when Beaver County makes the news.:)

[MurryMom]

The raid has set up a potential constitutional showdown between the office of Attorney General Tom Corbett, a Republican, and legislative leaders over whether a search of the Capitol office violated the state constitution's separation of powers.

Corbett's raid has the smell of just another attempt by R officeholders to smear Democrats by falsely associating them with illegal activity. If past performances are any indication of future results, no indictments are expected to result from Mr. Corbett's unconstitutional raid.

[cinives]

If the Rep murdered someone and the FBI had a tip that the body was stashed in a Congressional office, should they not raid the office ?

No one should be above the law.

[mewzilla]

...to smear Democrats by falsely associating them with illegal activity.

Falsely, MM? Harrisburg's as big a cesspool as Albany, NY. And, like Albany, the rampant corruption is in both parties.

[Califreak]

“Where in the world is.... Matt Lauer?”

[fatnotlazy]

“Corbett’s raid has the smell of just another attempt by R officeholders to smear Democrats by falsely associating them with illegal activity.”

***

You mean like the inquisition against former Attorney General Gonzalez by the Dems in Washington?

[brityank]

Ping

[Enchante]

"Corbett's raid has the smell of just another attempt by R officeholders to smear Democrats by falsely associating them with illegal activity"

You're projecting again, MM. Neither party has a monopoly on virtue or on corruption, but smearing honest, decent office holders is the standard 'Rat playbook and not a Republican practice at all. OTOH, on the face of things it is highly plausible that this PA 'Rat is guilty. I used to live in your precious PA, so I know the 'Rat party there all too well (my growing contempt for the vicious 'Rats began from seeing how you operated in PA). We'll see how this investigation turns out, but it is ridiculous to assume on the face of it that there was no good reason to pursue this dirty 'Rat.