$55,000 to State Attorney General Tom Corbett from 2003 to 2005
April 29th, 2008 | by BGuzzardi |Pennsylvania has always elected a Republican to Attorney General because of the voter perception that Republicans are better on law enforcement issues. This is the brand and like other aspects of the Republican brand, it may be tarnished and the Rs are living on past perceptions. The facts of Attorney General Corbett’s performance may convince voters that , contrary to past performance, it is the Democratic nominee, John Morganelli, who is a better candidate and these facts, in mid part of state, which Corbett needs to win, may convince R voters to vote D for AG.
This is a stunning contribution from a convicted felon to chief law enforcement officer of Pennsylvania: $55,000 to State Attorney General Tom Corbett from 2003 to 2005, according to the Department of State’s finance database. Indirectly, Corbett received even more ‘gaming’ money through Bob Asher who was a gaming lobbyist, paid on the record, for about four months and there is other gaming money going to Corbett. I cannot think this helps with his base in mid State.
And, from what we heard at PLC, it is unlikely that the Rs will be indicted. The perception is almost universal among the conservative reformers that this is politically motivated selective enforcement of the law. As Brian Nutt, chief of staff for AG, told me, “you don’t know what we are doing” and he is correct. On the other hand, voters will decide on what the evidence they have and it does not appear that there is equal justice under the law. But, who knows, more facts will be developed.
Of course, there is also the perception that Tom Corbett wants to run for governor. Bob Asher (also a convicted felon with ties to gaming interests) certainly wants him to run for governor which means he will not serve his term. How is replacement chosen? From what I am told, John Morganelli has no aspirations for higher office.
Key quote: “DeNaples, who was named three times in documents compiled by Pennsylvania’s now-disbanded Crime Commission citing alleged connections to the Bufalino organized-crime family in northeastern Pennsylvania, contributed $1.1 million to candidates and campaigns in the last decade, according to various sources.
He contributed about $115,000 to Gov. Ed Rendell, according to the Tribune-Review; $55,000 to State Attorney General Tom Corbett from 2003 to 2005, according to the Department of State’s finance database; and $1,000 to former 48th District Sen. Chip Brightbill and $1,000 in 2001 to state Supreme Court Justice Mike Eakin of East Donegal Township, according to newspaper records.”