EAST MARLBOROUGH — The GOP primary challenger to state Sen. Dominic Pileggi blasted the Senate Majority Leader and his fellow leaders for not calling for the resignation of state Sen. Jane Orie, who was convicted this of 14 counts related to using state employees to work on her election campaigns.
The once powerful Republican state Sen. Orie — her sister Joan Orie Melvin is a member of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court — was convicted Monday on 14 counts of theft of services, conflict of interest, and forgery. Roger Howard, the township man challenging Pileggi for the GOP nod for state Senate said he was shocked at the response of Pileggi and his colleague to the conviction.
“The multiple convictions included five felony counts,” Howard said. “ So what was the response from the Republican Leadership in the Statehouse?
“Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, in a joint statement with President Pro Tempore, Joe Scarnati, stated: ‘Throughout her 15 years of service in the General Assembly, Senator Jane Orie has worked tirelessly on behalf of her constituents.’
“They went on to state they ‘respect’ the jury’s decision. Constituents in the 9th Pennsylvania District would probably prefer it if Sen. Pileggi would show them the respect they deserve, by demanding the immediate resignation of Ms. Orie.”
Howard said he did not understand why taxpayers should continue to pay for salary and benefits for a convicted felon — as Majority Leader, a Pileggi call for her resignation would carry great weight.
“Why should the taxpayers contribute another dollar in salary and benefits to a Senator who has been convicted of stealing, lying, and forgery?” Howard asked. “If this is the ‘tireless work’ on behalf of constituents that Sen. Pileggi is comfortable with, then he is seemingly resigned to corruption as business as usual in Harrisburg.”
While Orie is legally allowed to remain on the job while she appeals her convictions, Howard said he thinks that this is a case where the “legal” thing isn’t the “right” thing — especially after numerous elected officials, Republicans and Democrats, have been convicted of similar offenses.
“State law doesn’t require Senator Pileggi to demand Orie’s resignation,” Howard said. “Honor and common decency does.”
By failing to call out Orie, Howard suggested that Pileggi is willing to embrace a “culture of corruption in Harrisburg” rather than embarrass a powerful and connected colleague, ignoring what is best for the commonwealth.
“As the next Senator from the 9th District,” Howard said. “I would respectfully request any colleague’s resignation if they are ever convicted of charges which so clearly defraud, defame, and demean the honor it is to represent voters in Harrisburg.”
It is refreshing to hear Mr. Howard’s comments regarding the need for integrity in government. Mr. Pileggi should take a stand on behalf of taxpayers and call for Ms. Orie to step down. Voters should take note of the candidate who is willing to demonstrate leadership on this issue. By his words and actions, Mr. Howard is demonstrating the leadership needed in our elected representatives.
Give ’em. Rodger!
It appears having public servants staff do their bidding is acceptable in our State Politics. Nevermind that this has gone to court, and the individual found guilty. Pileggi should be shouting for removal, no pension or salary for this individual. Is this a matter of “don’t expose what is behind the curtain”? How wide a practice is this in the State?
This entire political system needs to be changed; let’s start with Pileggi.
This is standard fair for Harrisburg today. Cronyism. It is apparent that Senator Peleggi is quite comfortable with continuing to do business as usual even if it concerns convicted felons. That the felons are still operating on the taxpayers dime and potentially fulfilling thier pension obligations so they might even then retire on the taxpayers they defrauded in the first place.
Let us compare and contrast Dominic Pileggi’s rhetorical fantasies with the reality of the record.
Disappointingly, the alleged fiscal conservative Sen. Pileggi voted “YEA” for seven of eight Ed Rendell’s Bankrupting Budgets. It’s sometimes hard to tell the Democrats from the Republicans, especially, when Republicans are in Leadership.
With his “YEA” vote for Capital Budget Act 130 of 2011, Senator Pileggi (and every other Pennsylvania State Senator) added $1.6 billion dollars in debt to Pennsylvania’s Forgotten Taxpayer’s financial burden
and, simultaneously, voted millions for billionaire corporations: Comcast, Janney, Teva Pharmaceuticals, ShopRite, Franklin Mint
and $850,000 to Philadelphia Democrat Chaka Fattah’s Philadelphia House of Imoja and $1,970,000 to Philadelphia University‐Arlen Specter Library and $10,000,000 John P. Murtha Center for Public Policy Cambria
Contrary to Senator Pileggi’s rhetorical fantasies, the reality of the record is that Senator Pileggi is not The Forgotten Taxpayer’s BFF.
Bob Guzzardi, 119 East Montgomery Avenue, Ardmore, Penna. 19003-2523 610 212 7476 bobguzzardi@bobguzzardi.com
Through his actions, priorities, and who he takes campaign money from, Senator Pileggi is clearly incapable of doing what is right and good.
For Pileggi, integrity and honor take a back-seat to machine-politics in his Harrisburg favor-factory.
This explains his milk-toast and lame reaction to Senator Orie’s convictions.
I hope the people of the 9th district will be fed up with Pileggi’s monumental participation and acceptance of corruption in Harrisburg. He thinks the people of the 9th district won’t notice or care that they are being robbed of their hard earned money. Voting for Roger Howard will bring honesty back to public service and a much needed change to Harrisburg. Please go to the polls and vote for Roger Howard on April 24th.
Pat Sellers
Hopefully the voters in the 9th district will vote for positive change and elect Roger Howard to the PA State Senate. Senator Pileggi has once again shown his true colors–go along to get along. Pileggi absolutely should have asked for Orie’s resignation but then, he does seem content to be inert in all things.
Another example of the corruption and incompetence that exists among our elected “leaders” and “representatives” (and that exists in both major political parties, both locally and nationally).
Orie needs to go! Either by resignation (doubtful) or by political action (also doubtful).
Webster’s dictionary needs an update for the definition “politician”, that being “often a scumgab”. Is “scumbag” in the dictionary??
Senator Pileggi says “Throughout her 15 years of service in the General Assembly, Senator Jane Orie has worked tirelessly on behalf of her constituents”. Obviously Senator Pileggi does not think that integrity means anything when it comes to state officials. But then again, if the taxpayers were aware of how their tax money is being spent on programs like R-CAP, a program where corporate recipents of your tax money turn around and give money to politicians like Pileggi for their re-election, they would be marching on Harrisburg demanding that more than Orie resign!
Pileggi simply “thanks Orie for her good work. He needs to ask her to step down immediately. I agree with Roger Howard. I’m glad Roger is looking out for the taxpayers – yes, why should we continue to pay her salary and benefits!!!
I agree with Roger Howard. A honorable leader would ask for Senator Orie to resign immediately.