What's up with that?

North Pittsburgh Politics points out that mailers sent out by Republican candidate Rep. Randy Vulakovich for an August 7th Special Election for PA State Senate District 40 (Jane Orie's old seat) contain absentee ballot applications that do not comply with the new Voter Suppression ID laws, while his Democratic challenger, Sharon Brown, is using the new absentee ballot applications that includes a section requiring PA State issued ID number/last 4 digits of Social Security number.

I'm finding conflicting information on exactly when the new requirements take effect. Anyone know?

In any case, since Vulakovich voted for the law -- and so must obviously be very concerned about voter fraud -- it's interesting that he doesn't want to be absolutely certain that the people he thinks will vote for him are eligible to cast that vote. He seems to be concerned here for example:

What is your position on the State's tightening restrictions on requirements to vote?  

Rep. Randy Vulakovich: "It’s important to protect the cornerstone of our Democracy and to maintain an open and honest process. One person, one vote."

Important except when voting for Vulakovich, I guess...

The Other Shoe Drops: Justice Joan Orie Melvin to be charged

Joan & Jane

Oh those wacky Orie Sisters! Where's the Angel Lady when you need her?

Via KDKA:

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — State Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin could be indicted today on corruption charges related to the alleged use of her court staff for campaign work. 

Sources tell KDKA Investigator Marty Griffin that Justice Melvin will face nine charges, four of them felonies, all brought by a grand jury that’s been investigating the case.

Her sister, State Sen. Jane Orie, was convicted of 14 corruption charges back in March.

[snip]

Another sister, Janine, is also awaiting trial on charges.

Fitting

I suppose that it's fitting that both Tom Corbett and Jane Orie won as Corbett refused to investigate fellow Republican Orie (now under indictment in a different venue).

I also suppose we have a good vs. evil thing going on with Christine O'Donnell (I'm not a witch but I did make out on a sacrificial alter) losing and Jane Orie (I speak to the angel lady) winning.

Or something...

Dan DeMarco's First TV Ad

Dan DeMarco is a Democrat running for the State Senate from Pennsylvania's 40th District as a write-in candidate. Normally, someone running as a write-in against an incumbent is pretty much a joke, but in this case [D'oh! Of course, Dan was a write-in for the primary and won the right to be on the ballot in the general.] his opponent is the criminally-indicted Jane Orie and Dan's chances are looking good.

Here's his first TV commercial:


You can show Dan some love here or you can leave the election up to the "angel lady."
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The Orie Sisters: The gift that keeps on giving!

Via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

State Sen. Jane Clare Orie and her sister state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin turned to a clairvoyant to foretell the outcome of their effort to head off a grand jury investigation that ultimately snared the senator.

[snip]

The other-worldly interlude involving spirits occurred in November of last year. An account of the incident is tucked deep inside a collection of affidavits entered as evidence in the case against Ms. Orie.

The "angel lady," as she was referred to in several spots, was consulted for advice about the outcome of a meeting between Robert Kramm, described by prosecutors as a political consultant with the Laborers' District Council of Western Pennsylvania, and Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr., whose office continues to investigate the Orie sisters.

According to sources close to the case, the sisters sought advice from Carolann Sano of Philadelphia, a self-described "clairaudient," who says she can channel messages from spirit guides -- she refers to them as angels. Ms. Sano says that when she receives a question from a client, she speaks it aloud and hears the answer whispered into her right ear.

More here.

NOTE: A reminder that Sen. Orie is not running unopposed.
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Ask Aunt Maria!

While people writing to Ask Aunt Maria! generally don't sign their real names, some -- for whatever reason -- desire an even higher degree of anonymity and don't even want their letters published. Today's column is an all confidential one in light of their wishes, so if you don't see your pen name here, just move along.


Confidential to Puzzled POTUS: You just don't get it. Not only will these people never be your BFF, they aren't even frenemies. Anyone short of Robert Bork himself will be rejected by them as too left wing, so just pick a flaming liberal already.

Confidential to Big Papa: You're another one who just doesn't get it. There is no way to "fix" this. Resign already. Say you want to spend more time with your family have health issues or whatever, but go now. Your letter from 1985 saying how you need to "consider the good of the Universal Church" -- you might as well have been humming "Deutschland, Deutschland Vatican, Vatican über alles" while writing it. For the actual good of the Universal Church, just go.

Confidential to J in McCandless: If you want to know how to get the jury's sympathy, here's a start. Three words: Lose the Bumpit. Also, some of the jurors may be fellow Italians, so you may want to lay off the offensive Mafia references. Just sayin'.

Confidential to Golf Daddy: OK, I may be a little late in answering this one, but assuming you can read this from...somewhere: Yes, your kid is a total douchenozzle. Sorry.

WTF? Orie Sib Works For...PA AG Corbett?

The Ories: Jane, Judith, Jack, Joan & Janine, but no Jerry...
We just assumed that all the Orie siblings turned up earlier this week to show their support for PA state Sen. Jane Orie (R) and Janine Orie who face criminal charges stemming from allegedly campaigning for their sister, Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin, on the public's dime.

Turns out there's at least one more Orie sibling: Jerome A. Orie. He was a no show at the above presser -- guess he couldn't get off work.

Speaking of which, you'll never guess where Jerry works (OK, you will if you read the headline).

He's a deputy attorney at the Attorney General's Insurance Fraud Section.

Yeah, that would be Tom Corbett's office.

The same Tom Corbett who is a Republican prosecuting Democrats for the same types of charges that the Orie sisters are facing -- but not facing from PA AG Tom Corbett -- even though complaints were brought to him.

As Michael Morrill from Keystone Progress notes:

Why is no one reporting on the fact that Jerry Orie, the brother of Republican State Senator Jane Orie and Republican Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin, works for Republican Attorney General Tom Corbett?

[snip]

Corbett is being accused of selective prosecution for not investigating Jane Orie's use of her Senate staff for her sister's 2009 campaign for Supreme Court. Corbett is running for governor this year, largely on the basis of his record in prosecuting mostly Democrats for using their staffs for political campaigns.

[snip]

We're not suggesting that there's a connection, but I'm surprised that this Orie relationship to Corbett hasn't been reported in any stories related to this issue. At least none that we've seen.

I certainly don't remember hearing about this connection which is interesting to say the least.

However, it appears that at least one news source has mentioned it: The Pennsylvania Independent. Eric Boehm reported yesterday:

Prior to her elected career, Sen. Orie worked as an assistant district attorney in Allegheny County and as a deputy state attorney general. Sen. Orie's siblings include Justice Orie-Melvin, Jack Orie, a former assistant DA in Allegheny County, and Jerry Orie, a deputy attorney general in the Insurance Fraud Section.

Neither Sen. Orie's personal history, nor the fact that her brother is employed by the Office of the Attorney General had any bearing on the office's decision not to handle the investigation, said Kevin Harley, a spokesman for the Attorney General's office.

By the time the Attorney General's office became aware of the investigation, the Allegheny County DA was fully involved, and despite having concurrent jurisdiction in the case, it would be unusual for the Attorney General to get involved, said Mr. Harley.

Alrighty then!

We certainly know that the Office of the Attorney General would never do anything partisan or less than transparent. And, it's not like any other Orie could be facing any other charges down the line.

(Looks like we need to add someone to our blogroll.)

Bravo Debuts "The Real Political Dynasties of Southwestern PA"

PA Sen. Jane Orie reacts to indictments on
"The Real Political Dynasties of Southwestern PA."
Bravo TV announced their summer lineup today. Of particular interest to Pittsburghers will be their new reality show: "The Real Political Dynasties of Southwestern PA."

According to their press release, they guarantee that the show will feature more personal animus; explosive arguments; and petty, longstanding grudges than the finale of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" and bigger hair bumps than MTV's "Jersey Shore."

The show will focus on the Orie and Zappala families, but Bravo says that if it's a success, there could be spin-offs for the Ravenstahls, the Wagners, the Costas, well, you get the picture.

Original episodes of "The Real Political Dynasties of Southwestern PA" will first air on Bravo and then will re-air on the truTV network (formally Court TV) one week later.

It's the Ories Vs. the Zappalas on Bravo's new show:


Ories: Jane, Judith, Jack, Joan (Melvin) and Janine


Zappalas: Stephen, Jr., Michele (Peck) and Stephen, Sr.

Meet the Ories: Jane, Janine, Joan & Jack!

PA Sen. Jane Orie

Jane Orie: PA state Sen. Republican Whip (R-McCandless) charged today with 10 criminal charges including diversion of services, restricted activities, tampering with evidence and conspiracy.

Janine Orie: An aide to state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin. Janine was charged with two criminal charges today which include theft and diversion of services.

Joan Orie Melvin: Recently elected PA Supreme Court Justice who benefited from the shenanigans of her sisters Jane and Janine (but who hasn't been charged with anything).

Jack Orie: A Pittsburgh attorney and brother of Jane and Janine and Joan who represented Jane and Janine today.

__________________________________________________

Sources: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

(Six Degrees of) Cyril Wecht for Governor

Jon Delano reports that Dr. Cyril H. Wecht is seriously considering a run for PA Governor. The already crowded Democratic primary field includes Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato, Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, state Auditor General Jack Wagner, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty and Philadelphia businessman Tom Knox.

Delano's story includes speculation by former Allegheny County Chief Executive and Republican Jim Roddey that Wecht is running as a spoiler to Dan Onorato due to Wecht's long running feud with Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala, Jr. (an ally of Onorato).

The Zappala connection brings in links to state Sen. Jane Orie and former U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan and I'm sure -- if I looked hard enough -- to my cat, Clio:


Because, when you play Six Degrees of Separation in Pittsburgh politics -- especially the Wecht version -- we're ALL involved.

UPDATE: Looks like someone is laying claim to the game.
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The Orie Sisters: Looks like Jane may have helped Joan a little too much

'[Jane Orie's attorney] added that he plans to "unleash hell in December" over the raid at the senator's office.'


"Lord help the mister who comes between me and my sister."(What Jane is thinking right now about Allegheny County DA Stephen Zappala Jr.)

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

An Allegheny County grand jury has opened a criminal investigation into state Sen. Jane Clare Orie, R-McCandless, the state senate's third-ranking Republican, and detectives last week seized computers, a move her lawyer has promised to "fight like hell."

The investigation, confirmed last night by Jerry McDevitt, who is representing Ms. Orie, apparently began a day before the November election when an intern at the senator's district office in the North Hills complained to the district attorney's office that political calls were being made there on behalf of state Supreme Court nominee Joan Orie Melvin, the senator's sister.

Looks like Santa came early this year. (We do so like to open one present on Christmas Eve!)
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That was quick! Orie will not run for US Senate.

It seems like only yesterday -- OK, last Thursday -- when Jane Orie, the Pennsylvania Senate’s majority whip, said that she was thinking about a run for US Senate but she's already dropped out of consideration.

From PoliticsPA:

As this is my first time being in the budget negotiations, I must respect and fulfill my responsibilities to my constituents, the citizens of Pennsylvania and my caucus, who is standing solidly against new taxes. I must put any personal ambitions aside and focus on the crucial task at hand.

Her full statement here (.pdf file).
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PA State Senator Jane Orie Considers Challenging Pat Toomey in US Senate Primary

PoliticsPA reports that sources have told them that PA Senate’s majority whip Jane Orie has been meeting with Republican leaders and the NRSC in Washington about a possible run for the US Senate.

According to PoliticsPA:

[M]any Republican leaders have continued to worry privately about Toomey’s electability statewide, fearing he is too conservative for a state that gave Barack Obama a 10-point victory over John McCain last year.

Ummm, huh? I never really thought of Orie as being anything less than strongly conservative.


This is a person, after all, who believes:

Abortions should always be illegal, while schools should teach abstinence-only sex education, while being against expanding state funding for pre-natal and infant care programs available in the state, including immunizations. (Love the fetus - Hate the child!)

No to same-sex marriage and that sexual orientation should not be added to the state's anti-discrimination laws. (Well, it is pretty obvious that no self-respecting gay stylist has ever been within a mile of that hair, that eyeliner or those nails.)

Minimum wage should not be increased, welfare aid should be greatly reduced, and does not favor increasing state funding for programs to re-train unemployed workers. (Bootstraps!)

Maintaining minimum environmental quality as mandated by current federal regulations is unnecessary. (Seriously, WTF?)

Implementing chain gangs, expanding the death penalty, prosecuting more juveniles as adults, and advocating the use of prison labor for private industry are all good things. (If this run doesn't work out for her, she might want to consider holding office in China...)

For a conservative, what's not to love?

Of course what sort of liberal blog would we be without reminding our readers of the last time we posted on Orie:

PA Sen. Jane Orie aide Alan David Berlin jailed for soliciting furry sex with teen boy



(Actual photo from her web site which she posed for after the furry thing. LOL)
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PA Sen. Jane Orie aide Alan David Berlin jailed for soliciting furry sex with teen boy

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

An aide to a McCandless state senator known for her tough stance on sex crimes was arrested late Thursday on accusations he propositioned a 15-year-old over the Internet.

In a series of instant messages and online chats, Alan David Berlin, 40, of Carlisle, discussed dressing up in animal costumes and engaging in various sex acts with the boy, the state attorney general's office said yesterday.

[snip]

Investigators believe Mr. Berlin and the boy met on an Internet site for "furries," an online community of people who adopt half-animal, half-human personas.

In one message, according to the complaint, Mr. Berlin requested pictures of the boy and wrote, "When will your folks be out?"

Other messages describe various sex acts in explicit detail and refer to "yiffing," which is a "furry" term for having sex.

Mr. Berlin used the screen name "alan_panda_bear" in his messages. He also used that name for an online personal ad that depicts cartoonish panda bears, one wearing a diaper.

...

Hey, who among us hasn't propositioned a teen-aged boy for sex in a panda suit? Pittsburgh, besides hosting the G20 Summit and Netroots Nation in the coming months will also, once again, be host to Anthrocon (the world's largest convention for furries) this July. We're guessing that Berlin had some PTO scheduled for that month. A movie of Berlin's story is said to be already in the works with the part of Berlin being played by Jack Black and Allison Harvard cast as Orie. Seriously, nothing against consenting adults having good clean, furry fun, it's the solicitation of a minor that's the problem -- and it's the fact that it's another Republican with a kink that's funny.

PA State Sen. Orie who is tough on crime
and not a known furry (despite the outfit).


Wolf and cat costumes were found at Berlin's home.
(Take note, Rick Santorum: no doggie suits.)
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