Indictment Countdown for Philly DA

Apparently in that hastened disclosure to the Ethics Board, the most controversial line item is that $45,000.00 free roof Seth Williams received from a New Jersey roofer.  Williams Forgot to Disclose.

Williams, whose staff is now being questioned by the FBI, is allegedly and conveniently out of town.  One can only imagine what his staffers will say to the FBI.  Morale has been at an all time low in the DA’s office according to sources.  With some ADA’s, being retaliated against for doing the right thing, like AJ Thomson  DA Fired From DA’s Office and Laurie Malone, the latter for having the gumption to recommend that John “Johnny Doc” Doughterty be arrested for punching a non-union electrician in JanuaryThe Untouchable Johnny Doc, the FBI will probably have more help than usual in bagging Williams.  DA Demoted After Recommending Charges.

While Williams “forgot” to file the free stays at mogul’s homes, free Eagles tickets, free Visa gift cards, he also forgot to get the proper permits for the roofing work done to his Overbrook home.  You see, in Philadelphia, when you have roofing work done of this magnitude, a permit is needed.

A check with city records does not find a permit applied for or on file.  The top law enforcement of Philadelphia seems to break laws and beg friends for favors around every corner.  Philly DA failed to Get Permits

The New Jersey roofer, by the name of Michael Palmieri, felt comfortable enough not to waste his time with following the law.

According to City and State, “The Palmieris, who reside in Burlington County, N.J., have become notable contributors to a number of other Pennsylvania political figures, including state Sen. Anthony Williams, state Sen. Vincent Hughes, state Rep. Dwight Evans, Philadelphia City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson and Brett Mandel, who ran a failed campaign in 2013 to unseat Philadelphia Controller Alan Butkovitz.”

What’s most disturbing is that Williams sought out graft.  According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Williams solicited freebies from a pharmaceutical mogul, Raymond Mirra, after he was introduced by another political friend.

Mirra has a sprawling estate, reportedly worth $10 million, and is described in the Inquirer article as “set up more like a private resort in which to pamper oneself,” with a full horse stable, riding trails, and “endless amenities,” including six guest homes, a 6,000-bottle wine cellar, a massage area, a bowling alley, and indoor and outdoor pools.”  Williams had no pride or issue with begging to use a home of a friend of a friend.

“He asked to use the facility,” said Dennis Gordon, lawyer for Raymond Mirra, owner of the Stone Ridge Estate in Appomattox, Va.

The Inquirer is reporting that Williams staffers has been interviewed by the FBI.  Philly DA Staffers Questioned by FBI.  The staffers in the case of former Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s case, gave blistering testimony against her.  We can look forward to the staffers of Williams following in their footsteps.  Aides Testify Against Kane.  Their damning testimony resulted in the conviction of Kane on all charges.  Kane is scheduled to be sentenced in October.

The allegations against Williams is eerily similar to those against former Congressman Chaka Fattah.  The belief that they can beg and get free vacations, cash and other trinkets under the guise of friendship.  Fattah and his “friend”, Herbert Vederman, the Charming Shoppes mogul, were convicted and is scheduled to be sentenced in October.  Fattah Guilty

So the countdown begins to the Indictment of Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams.  The same way he hurriedly amended his financial disclosures,  maybe he’ll begin stop using the Office of the District Attorney as an ATM and resume the role of crime-fighter……….without double standards.

 

 

Seth Williams-Do as I Say, Not As I Do!

When District Attorney Seth Williams charged Louise Williams Bishop with criminal conspiracy and accepting money in return for political influence, he said he anguished over his decision.  He then provided these words, when he decided to charge Bishop with the crimes that she entered a plea of no contest.  The Associated Press quoted him as saying:

“You don’t get a pass just because you are a friend, or a member of my political party, or race,” District Attorney Seth Williams said this week. “I’ve known and looked up to Rev. Bishop almost my entire life. I’ve been to her home often. My mother listened to her gospel radio show. Mrs. Bishop thought all of that would save her in the end, that I wouldn’t prosecute her. That is what she told many people. But it can’t. That’s the nature of my oath — to do my job. We had to follow the evidence.”

But, he has given himself a pass.  The old adage, “Do as I say, not as I do.”

Williams also charged former State Reps. Ronald G. Waters, Vanessa Lowery Brown, Michelle Brownlee, Harold James and former Traffic Court Judge Thomasine Tynes.  So far, the body count is:

• Thomasine Tynes, former President Judge of the Philadelphia Traffic Court, pleaded on Dec. 15, 2014 to conflict of interest and conspiracy charges. She was ordered to serve 11½ to 23 months in prison and pay $2,500 in prosecution costs.

• Former state Rep. Harold James pleaded on June 1, 2015, to one count of conflict of interest. He was ordered to pay $750 in restitution and $2,000 in prosecution costs, resign from office and was placed on 12 months of reporting probation.

• Former state Rep. Michelle Brownlee pleaded on June 1, 2015, to one count of conflict of interest. She was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution and $3,500 in prosecution costs, resign from office and was placed on 18 months of reporting probation.

• Former state Rep. Ronald Waters pleaded on June 1, 2015, to nine counts of conflict of interest. He was ordered to pay $8,750 in restitution and $5,000 in prosecution costs, resign from office and was placed on 23 months of reporting probation.

Lowery-Brown is awaiting a trial date.

Williams decided they were to charged after former Attorney General Kathleen Kane decided not to charge the group because she said the sting was predicated on racism, whom she believes was at the hands of Frank Fina, a former Attorney General prosecutor and then Assistant District Attorney before he resigned in disgrace after homophobic, sexist and racist emails were released.

Williams fought diligently to keep Fina with the DA’s office, and only sent Fina to sensitivity training after a group of City Council persons insisted Fina, and two other former Attorney General Office employees, Pat Blessington and Mark Costanzo, be fired.

In light of the Johnny-come-lately financial disclosures, in which Williams disclosed his acceptance of money, jewelry and free gifts from individuals, specifically, a lawyer who tries many cases in Court, it reeks of hypocrisy.

Williams quickly made the disclosures in light of the air of investigation by the FBI. A first year law student would know these kinds of alliances are just wrong.   Conflict of Interest/Red Flags  Williams have been arrogant about accepting “freebies”, while holding others accountable for doing the same thing.

Could Kathleen Kane, who was convicted of perjury on Monday and is awaiting sentencing for exposing several prosecutors, (Fina being named as her arch-enemy), and two Supreme Court Justices, actually stand to see karma as far as Williams is concerned?

Kane certainly exposed the “Legion of Doom”, but she is no longer one of the “Super-Friends”.

The FBI is investigating the financial dealings of Williams according to the mainstream media.  Feds Eye Seth Williams  The Feds will have a lot to investigate.  Maybe while they’re looking, some of the people who say morale is lower than it’s ever been in the DA’s office will reveal what they know.

Meanwhile, Williams continue to surround himself with people in similar financial hardships as himself.  Williams, who once had a lien placed on his home for not paying a PGW bill, recently appointed Tariq El-Shabazz to his staff.  El-Shabazz has a history of not paying his bills and have several liens and judgments against him.

El-Shabazz private practice, was recently taken to landlord tenant court for non-payment of rent.

Williams, who have yet to prosecute some cops, where there is compelling evidence they have committed crimes, as in the case of Lieutenant Raymond Murphy, and did nothing to protect Whistleblower AJ Thomson, have a lot to be concerned about.

Maybe after seeing what happened to Kathleen Kane, he will be reluctant to retaliate against those who know where the bones are buried.

Sneaky the way Williams delivered the thick packet that proves his poor decision-making skills, by dropping off the “forgotten” disclosures of goodies involving everything from a $45,000.00 free roof repair, to a $6500.00 Rolex watch, to office of the Board of Ethics.  Yes, there is such thing.  Unfortunately, our highest law enforcement officials seem to have a lack of them.

For some reason, Wiliams felt compelled to report staying at the Florida vacation home of the defense attorney, Richard Hoy, whom he said was a friend.  I guess he must have remembered that not reporting “gifts” from “friends”, is what former Congressman Chaka Fattah charged and convicted.  Fattah is scheduled to be sentenced in October.

But for all his wheeling and dealing, and disregarding his behavior which are a clear conflict of office for anyone in his position, he said, according to his attorney, Samuel C. Street, he made a mistake.  “He “wasn’t paying attention,” his lawyer said. He didn’t realize he had to because he didn’t see most of them as gifts, Samuel C. Stretton said, but rather as nice things his close friends gave him.”

Sounds alot like Herbert Vederman and Fattah.

Another attorney, now a Common Court Pleas Judge, Scott DiClaudio, who gave Williams $6,000.00 in gifts that included sports tickets and $1500.00 in Visa cards, said he only did so “completely out of the friendship we have enjoyed for three decades.” Forgotten List of Questionable “Gifts”

DiClaudio has a colorful past of his own.  He was not recommended by the Bar Association for the election to the bench.  According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, despite not being recommended by the Bar Association, U.S. Rep. Robert Brady, Chairman of the city Democratic Party, state “at the time that the party backed DiClaudio because Williams had vouched for him.”

Prior to his winning a seat on the bench, DiClaudio was admonished by the state Supreme Court for “serial misconduct” in his work as a defense attorney. The Inquirer reported that “Williams defended his friend in a statement as having “provided top-notch legal services” for many clients.”

Once again, Federman and Fattah.  How did they make out with that argument?

Maybe Seth needed a vacation, because it is very hot in the kitchen.  It isn’t difficult to see that the kitchen is going to get a lot hotter before all is said and done.  Seth may go from the hot kitchen, into the frying pan.

Frank Fina

Frank Fina