Pittsburgh Federal Prosecutor Okayed as PA A-G

The state Senate has unanimously confirmed Linda Kelly as Pennsylvania’s Attorney General.

The 50-0 vote makes Kelly the first female attorney general since the post became an elected office in 1981.

Kelly spent the bulk of her career in the Pittsburgh U.S. Attorney’s office, where she served as Tom Corbett’s chief deputy when he held the federal post in the early 90s. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University Law School, and has worked at the U.S. Attorney’s office since 1980.

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi said it was “hard to justify a vote against her,” arguing, “She was clearly qualified. There were no arguments against her qualifications. So the only arguments that could come forward would be political arguments. When she agreed not to be a candidate moving forward, that removed another potential objection.”

In fact, Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa introduced Kelly, during her confirmation hearing earlier this month.

Kelly’s road to confirmation was much smoother than what Corbett faced, when he was nominated to fill Ernie Preate’s term in 1995. Corbett’s nomination was held up for months, and used as a political bargaining chip by Democrats.

The governor’s office did not return calls for comment on Kelly’s confirmation.

AG Nominee Moves Forward

Governor Tom Corbett’s pick to replace him as Pennsylvania Attorney General has cleared a key hurdle, winning approval from the State Senate Judiciary Committee. The panel unanimously recommended Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda Kelly, who will need to win the support of two-thirds of the full Senate.

Kelly only faced fifteen minutes of questions, including one from Republican John Rafferty, who asked, “Have you had familiarity with working with grand juries, and do you plan on using them as effectively as your predecessor has as a tool to weed out crime and corruption?” A grand jury, of course, continues to investigate corruption at the Capitol. 25 House lawmakers and staffers have been charged, with nine guilty pleas or verdicts and one acquittal. Nothing has ever been filed against any Senators or Senate staffers.

If Tuesday’s hearing is any indication, Kelly will easily win the Senate votes she needs. Minority Leader Jay Costa introduced her, calling her “highly qualified,” adding he’s “sure that she will be” confirmed.

Kelly has worked at the Pittsburgh U.S. Attorney’s office since 1980, and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University School of Law. She’s known Corbett since 1976, and served as his top aide when he was U.S. Attorney, but told the panel she’d maintain independence from the governor’s office. “If an Attorney General were to be influenced by the Administration, then I think the likelihood that they would also be influenced by all other types of outside factors and forces would be a good bet, as well,” she said. “And I don’t think that the governor, I don’t think this committee, would want that kind of influence to take place. And I, myself, would not wish to be a part of it.”

The Senate Rules Committee needs to consider Kelly’s nomination before the full Senate votes. Following political tradition, she has promised not to run for re-election, and would only serve until January 2013.

Legislature Considers Shifting Gaming Investigative Duties

Pennsylvania’s acting Attorney General supports a bill moving an investigative unit from the Gaming Control Board to his department, but tells lawmakers the transition would be difficult.

The measure, which has passed the House, would move the Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement (BIE) into the Attorney General’s office. The unit conducts background checks on casino license applicants, among other duties.

Acting AG Bill Ryan told the Senate Appropriations Committee it makes sense to move BIE to his department or the State Police, but conceded the switch would take time and cost money. “To me, and this is my opinion, it would best be done from the ground up,” he said. “I honestly don’t know, Senator, if we could just graft what’s there to our office. I see a lot of issues that could be problematical if that was done.”

The Gaming Control Board says the transition would cost 2 million dollars. Sponsor Mike Vereb, a Republican, is skeptical of the estimate. “They are saying that’s because of computer systems and hardware,” he said. “Let it be known that there is no independent assessment of how much this would cost. We’d have to cut bureaucracy out, and one would think that if we couldn’t cut that at least in half, we could eliminate a better part of it.”

Meantime, confirmation hearings for Ryan’s potential successor, Linda Kelly, will likely be held in April. A vote could come in April or May, according to Senate Republican spokesman Erik Arneson. Kelly needs the support of 2/3 of lawmakers to be confirmed.

Corbett Hopeful for Quick Confirmation

Governor Tom Corbett has tapped an Assistant United States Attorney from Allegheny County to replace him as Attorney General for Pennsylvania.
Corbett has known Linda Kelly since 1976, when they served together as assistant district attorneys.
Kelly graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University School of Law, and has been at the US Attorney’s office since 1980.

"I have, I would say, extensive trial experience, where I’ve tried cases from the most mundane to the most serious. So my experience runs from someone being in the trenches."

Corbett says he’s confident Kelly’s confirmation won’t drag out for months, like his did when he was appointed to fill out an A-G term in 1995.

"I’ve had good conversations with Senator Scarnati, Senator Pileggi and Senator Costa. Talked with them yesterday about who I was nominating. And I would hope that we’d be able to move this along as swiftly as possible."

Kelly will need the support of 2/3 of the Senate. Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi says she’s “eminently qualified” to serve as A-G.
Following custom, Kelly is promising not to run for reelection. She’d be Pennsylvania’s first female attorney general since 1961.
Among her responsibilities would be continuing the high-profile investigation of state lawmakers Corbett began in 2007.

Pittsburgh Lawyer Tabbed for Attorney General

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett has nominated a longtime federal prosecutor from Pittsburgh to serve out the remaining 23 months of his term as Attorney General. Linda Kelly, 61, will succeed Corbett as the state's top law enforcement officer if she is confirmed by at least a two-thirds vote of the Pennsylvania Senate. Since Corbett resigned as Attorney General Jan. 18, his former top deputy Bill Ryan has run the office.

Kelly has been a prosecutor for more than 30 years starting as an assistant District Attorney for Allegheny County and then serving in the U.S. attorney's office in Pittsburgh since 1980.

“I know from my personal experience that throughout her career she has consistently demonstrated good judgment, common sense and has the experience to successfully lead the Attorney General’s office,” Corbett said.

Kelly says she's excited about a new and challenging endeavor.

“I am honored and humbled by Gov. Corbett’s confidence in me and I look forward to working with the men and women of the Attorney General’s office.

U.S. Attorney for Western Pennsylvania David Hickton called Kelly and exceptional person and outstanding lawyer.

"Linda is extremely bright; she possesses outstanding judgment; and she would be an excellent Attorney General for the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."

Following the tradition of other nominees for attorney general, Kelly has promised not to run when the post comes up for election in 2012.

Corbett Might Reduce Involvement in Legislative Corruption Probe

Pennsylvania Governor-elect Tom Corbett says he may step away from his ongoing legislative corruption investigation, as he prepares to take office in January.
Corbett has named eight people to a transition team. The list is mostly made up of longtime Republican insiders, and members of Corbett’s gubernatorial campaign.
Corbett won’t step down as Attorney General until just before the inauguration, and says he’ll keep working at his current job over the next few months.

"The day-to-day work of the Attorney General’s office that comes to my desk in the normal course will continue to come to my desk. I am going to sit down with my first deputy to talk about the status of the bonus investigation, and make a determination about my role with that, after the discussion."

A spokesman says Corbett may remove himself from the legislative corruption probe, due to the fact he’ll be working with lawmakers as Governor-elect.
The Attorney General’s office has filed charges against House Democrats and Republicans, and is now believed to be investigating the Senate Republican caucus.

During a transition press conference Corbett stayed away from making too many new policy announcements. The Republican did say he’d likely overturn Governor Rendell’s moratorium on leasing out more state forest land for natural gas drilling.

"I think it’s 500-thousand acres that are still available. That doesn’t mean all 500-thousand are going to be leased out at one time. Because I see this as something that’s going to go on for decades."


Corbett also named a two-person team charged with raising money for the January 18th inauguration.
The bulk of the event and surrounding celebrations will be privately funded, through individual and corporate contributions.

Corbett to Pick His Successor as A-G

Governor-elect Tom Corbett’s political career received a boost in 1995, when he was appointed Pennsylvania Attorney General by then Governor Tom Ridge.
Now, Corbett will need to select someone to finish out his term as A-G.
Corbett has to hope the appointment process for his replacement goes more smoothly than the confirmation battle he faced 15 years ago.
Senate Democrats held up Corbett’s appointment for three months, questioning his independence from Ridge because Corbett had campaigned for him.
The main political hurdle facing Corbett’s choice is the ongoing legislative corruption investigation, according to political scientist Christopher Borick of Muhlenberg College.

"Whoever gets dropped into this particular position by Governor-elect Corbett will be in the midst of leading a major corruption investigation with the Bonusgate trials. So it’s simply going to be putting someone into the spotlight, because they’re going to carry on the work that Corbett’s done earlier."

Corbett’s spokesman Kevin Harley says the Republican will step down as Attorney General on January 18.

"Governor Corbett will then nominate his replacement, who then needs to be confirmed by 2/3 of the Senate. Once that happens, that person becomes Attorney General. And traditionally, although it’s not required by law, they will not run for a full term. That’s usually a gentleman’s agreement with the Senate."

Chief Deputy Attorney General Bill Ryan will serve as Acting A-G until the replacement is confirmed by two-thirds of the Senate.

Prosecution: Twitter Feed Shows Cott Has No Remorse

An assistant attorney general for Pennsylvania is defending the subpoena his office sent to Twitter, saying the information requested was relevant to Brett Cott’s sentencing.
According to the Office of the Attorney General, the person behind the anti-Tom Corbett blog CasablancaPA isn’t an innocent observer.
A sentencing memorandum claims Brett Cott, who will serve up to five years in prison for his role in the Bonusgate scheme, has used the site “to deflect blame and deny responsibility for his criminal conduct.”
Deputy Attorney General Marc Costanzo said the subpoena was intended to tie Cott to the website and related Twitter feed.

"The reasons for the subpoena were legal reasons that were allowed by law, and had nothing to do with blogs or tweets that were critical of people. We have no interest in that whatsoever."

Cott’s lawyer, Brian Walk, says there’s no evidence connecting Cott to CasablancaPA.
Walk, says the anti-Tom Corbett blog is irrelevant.

"Did they show any evidence that Brett’s connected to that? Has anybody seen that? Because maybe I missed that. And maybe I missed the repealing of the First Amendment."


Dauphin County Judge Richard Lewis said in court that the site wasn’t a factor in his sentencing decision.
The subpoena was made public hours after Corbett won the Republican gubernatorial nomination.
His opponent, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, says Corbett is “trying to bully [critics] into silence.”