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House Republicans walk out to prevent Corbett-Sandusky investigation

 

In July, Keystone Progress asked PA Attorney General Linda Kelly, Senate President Pro tem Joseph Scarnati and Speaker of the House Samuel Smith to begin a formal investigation into Corbett's role in the Sandusky scandal.  Tens of thousands of you sent them emails and made phone calls supporting KP in that call.

Yesterday, we got their answer.  When Democrats in the House tried to bring a Corbett investigation vote to the floor, the Republicans called a halt to all House business and "fled the floor." 

Here's how Rep. Jesse White put it:

 "We just tried to force a vote on HR 520, which urges the US Attorney to investigate Attorney General Corbett's handling of the Sandusky case. The Republican majority immediately stopped proceedings, and nearly all Republican members have fled floor even though we're still in session. This is shocking and outrageous- what depths won't they go to in order to learn the truth?"[i]

This is indeed "shocking and outrageous."  Even worse, the House GOP is now threatening to not do any more business this year so they won't have to vote on the Corbett investigation. 

Jobs.  Education.  Environment.  They won't work on any of this in order to hide Corbett's role in the delayed Sandusky investigation.

And it begs the question: What are they hiding?

As we wrote in July, the major question that needs to be answered is why did Corbett wait years to get Sandusky off the street?  I've talked to four prosecutors and asked them when they would have arrested Sandusky.  Each of them said they would have arrested him immediately after hearing the testimony of an eyewitness.  Each of them said the first priority should have been to stop the rape of children by getting him off the street.  The investigation can continue after he's locked up.  None of them could understand why Corbett waited years to have Sandusky arrested.

There are the only two options. Either Corbett is simply a bumbling Governor and Attorney General, or Corbett intentionally kept a child rapist on the street to further his political career.

Since, our request to Pennsylvania officials has been ignored, we are asking you to tell your State Representative to Stop the Cover-up!  Tell them to support HR 520[ii], Rep. Brandon Neuman's bill calling for the U.S. Attorney General to investigate Corbett's role in the Sandusky scandal.

We need the truth, not more cover-ups.   

Michael Morrill
Keystone Progress

We've reached our first milestone- 10,000 signatures on our petition asking for an investigation of Tom Corbett's actions regarding the Sandusky case, both during his time as Attorney General and as governor.

Please sign at www.InvestigateCorbett.com and spread the word.

You can forward the following letter or use your own.

 

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t's time to investigate Corbett's role in the Sandusky scandal

The repercussions of the Jerry Sandusky crimes keep adding up. 

• Thankfully, Jerry Sandusky was found guilty and will never be free to rape children again.  
• The Freeh Report revealed the culpability of the leadership at Penn State where some have lost their jobs and others are facing criminal prosecution for their roles in the cover-up.  
• Earlier this week the Penn State football program received unprecedented penalties by the NCAA.

We can argue the appropriateness of the level of punishment, but at least people are finally being held accountable for their roles in the Sandusky rapes and cover-up.

But one person has not held accountable--Tom Corbett.  In both his role as Pennsylvania's Attorney General and as Governor, Corbett apparently had numerous opportunities to stop Sandusky that he didn't take.  I say apparently, because he refuses to answer questions about what he did or didn't do.  When a reporter has the audacity to raise questions, Corbett indignantly blusters and threateningly chastises the questioner.

That is probably why no one has called for an investigation into Corbett's role--until now.

Since Corbett has not been forthcoming, Keystone Progress is requesting that PA Attorney General Linda Kelly, Senate President pro tem Joseph Scarnati and Speaker of the House Samuel Smith begin a formal investigation into Corbett's role in the Sandusky scandal. 

The major question that needs to be answered is why did Corbett wait years to get Sandusky off the street?  I've talked to four prosecutors and asked them when they would have arrested Sandusky.  Each of them said they would have arrested him immediately after hearing the testimony of an eye witness.  Each of them said the first priority is to stop the rape of children by getting him off the street.  The investigation can continue after he's locked up.  None of them could understand why Corbett waited years to have Sandusky arrested.

That still begs the question.  Why did Corbett wait so long?

Chris Freind, one of the most conservative columnists in Pennsylvania, summarizes it this way:

"One of two things seems to be true, as there is no third option. Either A) you were an incompetent attorney general, which virtually no one believes, or B) the investigation was deliberately understaffed and drawn out because you did not wish to be the gubernatorial candidate who took down fabled Penn State - with its massive and intensely loyal alumni network - and the beloved Joe Paterno. Since doing so would have presented difficult campaign challenges, many are asking if politics was placed above children's safety."[i] 

Friend is right.  Those are the only two options.  If Corbett is simply a bumbling Governor and Attorney General, the people will take care of that in 2014.

If, however, Corbett intentionally kept a child rapist on the street to further his political career, it is morally reprehensible and probably criminal. 

That's why we're calling on Pennsylvania's law enforcement and legislative leaders to conduct an independent investigation into Corbett's role as Attorney General and Governor.

We are under no illusions about asking Republicans to investigate Corbett.  There's not much chance they will put politics aside and do the right thing.  But we have to hope that they will do just that.  In a state dominated by one party we have no other choice.  If they don't respond, we'll try other avenues.

Please sign our petition by clicking here.  Then spread the word to friends and family.

It's time to get answers and only public pressure can get them.

Michael Morrill
Executive Director, Keystone Progress

 

It's time to investigate Corbett's role in the Sandusky scandal

The repercussions of the Jerry Sandusky crimes keep adding up. 

• Thankfully, Jerry Sandusky was found guilty and will never be free to rape children again.  
• The Freeh Report revealed the culpability of the leadership at Penn State where some have lost their jobs and others are facing criminal prosecution for their roles in the cover-up.  
• Earlier this week the Penn State football program received unprecedented penalties by the NCAA.

We can argue the appropriateness of the level of punishment, but at least people are finally being held accountable for their roles in the Sandusky rapes and cover-up.

But one person has not held accountable--Tom Corbett.  In both his role as Pennsylvania's Attorney General and as Governor, Corbett apparently had numerous opportunities to stop Sandusky that he didn't take.  I say apparently, because he refuses to answer questions about what he did or didn't do.  When a reporter has the audacity to raise questions, Corbett indignantly blusters and threateningly chastises the questioner.

That is probably why no one has called for an investigation into Corbett's role--until now.

Since Corbett has not been forthcoming, Keystone Progress is requesting that PA Attorney General Linda Kelly, Senate President pro tem Joseph Scarnati and Speaker of the House Samuel Smith begin a formal investigation into Corbett's role in the Sandusky scandal. 

The major question that needs to be answered is why did Corbett wait years to get Sandusky off the street?  I've talked to four prosecutors and asked them when they would have arrested Sandusky.  Each of them said they would have arrested him immediately after hearing the testimony of an eye witness.  Each of them said the first priority is to stop the rape of children by getting him off the street.  The investigation can continue after he's locked up.  None of them could understand why Corbett waited years to have Sandusky arrested.

That still begs the question.  Why did Corbett wait so long?

Chris Freind, one of the most conservative columnists in Pennsylvania, summarizes it this way:

"One of two things seems to be true, as there is no third option. Either A) you were an incompetent attorney general, which virtually no one believes, or B) the investigation was deliberately understaffed and drawn out because you did not wish to be the gubernatorial candidate who took down fabled Penn State - with its massive and intensely loyal alumni network - and the beloved Joe Paterno. Since doing so would have presented difficult campaign challenges, many are asking if politics was placed above children's safety."[i] 

Friend is right.  Those are the only two options.  If Corbett is simply a bumbling Governor and Attorney General, the people will take care of that in 2014.

If, however, Corbett intentionally kept a child rapist on the street to further his political career, it is morally reprehensible and probably criminal. 

That's why we're calling on Pennsylvania's law enforcement and legislative leaders to conduct an independent investigation into Corbett's role as Attorney General and Governor.

We are under no illusions about asking Republicans to investigate Corbett.  There's not much chance they will put politics aside and do the right thing.  But we have to hope that they will do just that.  In a state dominated by one party we have no other choice.  If they don't respond, we'll try other avenues.

Please sign our petition by clicking here.  Then spread the word to friends and family.

It's time to get answers and only public pressure can get them.

Michael Morrill
Executive Director, Keystone Progress

 

[i] Delaware County Daily Times http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2012/07/16/opinion/doc500484c4eef82305964009.txt?viewmode=fullstory