By Dick Miller
WE.CONNECT.DOTS: No evidence exists that Gov. Tom Corbett slow-walked the Jerry Sandusky child molestation case to benefit his 2010 gubernatorial campaign. This is the thrust of a special investigating report this week on the handling of the case mostly happening while Corbett was attorney general.
Jeffrey Moulton, a former prosecutor, took 16 months to compile the report of his investigation that contained very little new information. Current Attorney General Kathleen Kane hired Moulton to conduct the probe, but gave him little staff help.
Corbett is a Republican running this year for a second term as Governor. Kane is the first Democrat elected PA Attorney General.
The Sandusky investigation began in 2009 when allegations surfaced he molested his young male wards in a juvenile program known as “Second Mile.”
This probe languished and remained under wraps for nearly a year. Corbett poured more resources into his investigation of corrupt lawmakers and legislative staffers, even though they represented no further threat. Publicity about this probe, known as “Bonus Gate” was a major factor in Corbett winning governor.
With the Sandusky probe secret, he continued to pluck campaign dollars from Penn State and Second Mile leaders. Accounts vary. Corbett reaped at least $250,000 to as much as $600,000 from people who may have felt differently if . . .
Three initial steps Corbett took when he assumed the governorship were key.
First, he had to resign as A-G when sworn in as governor. His handpicked A-G successor Linda Kelly oversaw the Sandusky case from 2009 to 2011 while Corbett re-directed manpower and other resources to the legislative scandal. She served the remaining two years of his term.
Second, Corbett’s appointment as new state police commissioner was another loyalist. Frank Noonan was a department head and task force leader during Corbett’s six years as A-G. Noonan denied Moulton’s requests for interviews from both himself and state police officers involved in the Sandusky probe.
Third, Corbett, as governor, offered jobs to several A-G staffers to serve as “ethics officers” in the various departments in Harrisburg. Some contend these faceless sycophants have as much or more authority than the cabinet heads. The jobs did not exist before Corbett became governor.
Corbett’s best attempt to prepare for a potential scandal about his slow walking of the Sandusky probe actually failed. Republicans had a lock on the A-G office for nearly three decades. Kane had a tough primary fight in 2012.
David Freed, son-in-law of former Republican Attorney General Leroy Zimmerman, ran unopposed in the primary. Corbett used his gubernatorial muscle to “encourage” likely primary opponents from running, sparing all of his campaign funds for the fall battle. Regardless, Kane buried Reed in the November election.
The Moulton investigation proved impotent, stymied by four factors, two the fault of Kane.
First, Corbett’s primary defense was that a jury convicted Sandusky, 70, of molesting several young men and is now serving 30-60 years in prison. Results, he claimed, speak for themselves.
Second, a sitting grand jury oversaw the Sandusky investigation and everyone, including police, had to testify under oath. Kane did not attempt to get a grand jury empaneled. Moulton depended on voluntary cooperation and Corbett loyalists provided none.
Third, Kane mishandled the press conference where she released the Moulton report earlier last week. Kane handed out copies of the 160-page document as the press conference began. Reporters had to scan the report while listening to comments by both Kane and Moulton. This led to poorly asked questions and stories written “on the fly” to meet media deadlines.
Kane should have provided copies of Moulton’s report to the media in advance and then “embargoed” its release, if she respected the public’s right to know.
Fourth, Corbett escapes political damage from a recent development in the Sandusky case. Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports “millions of deleted emails recovered during Kane and Moulton’s review could contain exculpatory evidence. Three Penn State administrators charged with obstruction have yet to go on trial. Sandusky’s appeal of his convictions remain in the courts. Nothing will break, however, before November.
Those emails were deleted on the order of acting Attorney General Bill Ryan. While only the acting A-G for four months early in 2011, Corbett’s close ally decreed emails need only be retained for six months, rather than five years. Corbett rewarded Ryan by appointing him head of the PA Gaming Control Board.
Bottom Line: Anytime crime fighters investigate crime fighters, it is more about what dots are not connected.
