Ever hear of Baltimore lawyer Peter G. Angelos? Known as Mr. Baseball, Angelos has pretty much destroyed the Orioles. But his control over Maryland's legislature is so legendary that his measures are simply called "Angelos bills." He's a heavy campaign contributor in Maryland, but gives to candidates throughout the country. He's Joe Biden's number one contributor ($156,250) and is rated #4 for Pat Leahy. ($38,700).Here in the Keystone state, Angelos has dropped a whopping $210,000 on Governor Ed Rendell since 2000. Right here in Northampton County, AG hopeful has picked up another $150,200.
Lamont McClure, the asbestos lawyer who won a county council victory against unknown Mark Schwartz by a scant 91 votes, just happens to work for Angelos. If you look over his finance reports, you'll see lots of dough from Angelos' attorneys.
I think it's safe to say Angelos is trying to buy what he wants, whether it's baseball teams, legislation or politicians. It's pay to play, baby.
According to a highly placed source, I learned that Mr. Baseball has been whispering sweet nothin's in Mr. Eagles' ear. Seems that Pete wants something in return for his $210,000 investment. That something is a Northampton County judge.
Angelos must know a lot about Northampton County because he's asking Rendell to appoint one of his cronies to the vacancy created when Judge Freedberg ascended to the heavens of superior court. Guess who?
Lamont McClure? You're half right. The person that Mr. Baseball would like to see seated on Northampton County's bench is actually Sandy McClure, Lamont's wife. Although she's an Assistant District Attorney, I don't know that she's ever even tried a case. You'll have a rough time ever finding her in a courtroom. About the only time you'll ever see her is when she wonders the halls at the government center, pressuring county workers on county time to sign her husband's nomination petitions.
If I were her, I'd hold off on ordering that judicial robe. It's gonna' take a much bigger bribe than $210,000 before Ed Rendell appoints her to the bench. If he does, she'll run into a buzzsaw in the senate.
Because of his desire for safety and money, Angelos has also done a number on the D.C. baseball fans. For D.C. to get a team without Angelos throwing a tantrum, MLB gave Angelos a number of big concessions including a chunk of TV rights to the D.C. team. It resulted in serious revenue loss and lawsuits. Angelos is sharp and very good at getting what he wants.
ReplyDeleteRS
Angelos has attempted to buy a pennant for Baltimore for many years. He's not come close.
ReplyDeleteWho's your highly placed source ? Zito the guy who has actually been desperately pleading with the man you just smeared to intervene on HIS behalf ? Or is it Panella, Mr. Politics, himself ?
ReplyDeleteAngry, aren't we? I know how you can feel better. Go watch the Orioles. Wait, that won't help, either.
ReplyDeletebernie, i have always felt that financial corruption is much less venal than many believe; it is rational; it is direct; and by following the money, you can figure out all the connections.
ReplyDeletewhat really scares me is the psychological corruption we see in many areas of our local government, where irrational people
(ok; nut cases) do irrational things, many of which even run against their own interests.
i won't name names; some are only too obvious. but the larger question is whether taking a bribe or influence peddling isn't a more logical and ordered activity than some chaotic, unguided ego excursion?
Consigliere,
ReplyDeleteThe form of government you despise, in which irrational people do irrational things, is called democracy. It certainly has its flaws and ytou seem to prefer the more ordered world of an aristocracy in which monied interests rule.
You often have insghtful moments. This is not one of them. Sorry.
Is Panella mad that someone is interfering in his role as Kingmaker? So he sets you loose on McClure> Is that how it works?
ReplyDeleteThe characterization of the stained boxer short-wearing Nazarean blogger being, "set loose" upon the the local Angelos ambulance chaser stooge is riotously funny.
ReplyDeleteKeep your enemies closer, I guess. This Internet thing is really catching on.
I think Joe Long tipped off Bernie.
ReplyDeleteI've met Peter Angelos a coule of times and think he's a really nice guy.
ReplyDeleteTennis anyone ? Let's meet at those courts out a Greenpond. I hear they're great !
ReplyDeleteSandy McClure makes you wonder how some people pass law school. There is absolutely no way she handle being a judge.
ReplyDeleteActually 9:40, she "passed" law school while working full-time as a program instructor and hospital administrator. She also passed the Bar Exam, on the first attempt, while working in these same positions full-time. She also put herself through college working full-time as well. If you would like to know more about her, why don't you call me.
ReplyDeleteLamont
Bernie,
ReplyDeleteIf you are interested in the cases she is trying take a look see here:
http://209.122.43.8/WEBTrial/CasesForTrial.asp
Just select her name as prosecuting attorney. You will see she has a pretty full caseload.
I feel it is rather low for you to attack someone's wife just because you don't like them. That is low.
I know for a fact that she is kept away from the courtroom as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteI am not attacking her. I'm pointing out that Mr. Baseball thinks he can buy a judge. I'm also pointing out that the person he wants appointed is by no means judge material. Not even close.
If you would like to know more about her, why don't you call me.
ReplyDeleteI know enough. None of what you mention makes her a qualified judge.
I know for a fact that she is kept away from the courtroom as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteDoes that mean they let you practice again?
Sorry, Bernie I cannot let a new moth begin without someone bringing up your non-legal past.
That's ok. I lost my license, true, but not for stupidity. They keep her away from the courtroom as much as possible. She does the forfeiture work, which consists pretty much of filing papers. She may do pleas and arraignments, but that's about it. I'm not saying this to be nasty, but bc it's the truth. Some people should not be judges.
ReplyDeleteEven more importantrly, I resent it that someone from outside this area thinks he can buy a judge. That may be OK with Lamont & Sandy, but Northampton County voters will never stand for Mr. Baseball picking their judges.
Who said that she is kept out of the courtroom as much as possible ? What is your source for this assertion ? She has seized more than one million in drug money off the street. Always nice to see a guy who lost his license to be commenting on anyone's fitness to Judge ?
ReplyDeleteShe hasn't seized anything. She's a paper shuffler. Don't take my word for it. You're right, I lost my license. Ask her fellow attorneys.
ReplyDeleteActually, I've met Lamont McClure a few times and he's just to die for.
ReplyDeleteBernies quote, "I know enough". Don't confuse him with facts when he is on one of his hate rolls.
ReplyDeleteIt is really scummy to go after a political foes wife. You are very low to do that.
The most ironic thing is you and that guy Angle you adore, seem to thing your'e the shinny examples of purity. You both have enough of shady pasts to block out the sun.
Did Stoffa get you to write this thread as he has a few others.
The truth hurts, doesn't it? I'm sure this story was leaked to me because even $210k is not enough to persuade Rendell to appoint someone as hopelessly unqualified. And judgeships should not be for sale in the first place. That's the reason for the story. Yes, it's Lamont McCluire's wife. No surprise there.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we should find out how Zito was appointed the first time after spending 300K only to be rejected by voters in both parties. Who sponsored his first appointment and what did that cost?
ReplyDeleteZito lost that race for one and only one reason - he started way too late. I was one of the people who voted for someone else. I remember that he had the support of TJ Rooney and DA Morganelli.
ReplyDeleteAfter Zito was appointed to the bench, I regretted not having voted for him. During his brief tenure, he displayed some of the finest judicial qualitities I've ever seen. He's brilliant, no one questions that. But I was shocked to see a very agressive and hard-hitting trial lawyer transform himself so completely into an impartial jurist.
Zito is eminently qualified while McClure parades the county courthouse, seeking signatures on nomination petitions for her hubbie. One is an accomplished legal scholar; the other a paper pusher.
On top of everything else, I am insulted that a Baltimore lawyer would have the nerve to try to tell the governor who to appoint as a Northampton County judge.
That Baltimore lawyer is pushing Mr. Norganellis AG race. Guess it depends who he is pushing.
ReplyDeleteYes, I pointed that out, didn't I? I don't like the powerful few deciding what's best for the rest of us. In statewide races, this is less of a concern bc so much money is needed.
ReplyDeleteI still think this is a new all time low to attack Mrs. McClure because you detest her husband.
ReplyDeleteThat is just wrong, even for you. Angle not so much but it is for you.
I refer you to my previous response to this frivolous complaint. I would resent a powerful person like Angelkos, who has never even farted in NC, deciding who should be judge here. I especially resent the lobbying on behalf of an unqualified person. She could be married to Angle and would still be unqualified.
ReplyDeleteAfter the most extensive television campaign in local history, Zito was rejected by voters of both parties. He then went to Angelos to ask him to intercede with Rendell so that he could be appointed Judge to fill the Panella vacancy.
ReplyDeleteThis comment is made on the Sunday following the original post. For some reason, the anonymous poster is trying to sully Zito's good name. Who would have reason to do that? Could it be McClure?
ReplyDeleteAnyone who thinks opposition to Sandy McClure's appointment to the bench is strictly political has clearly not seen her in court. Her fear is legendary among the defense bar, as is her inappropriate temperment, and her lack of experience despite the number of years on the DA's staff. If her husband hadn't managed Morganelli's campaigns in the past, one doubts she would be employed to do the people's work.
ReplyDeleteZito's good name ? Anyway, ask Lenny if how he got appointed after being rejected by both parties. Ask him if he is trying to get appointed the same way he did last time ? Ask him if he agrees with your post about Angelos ?
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that one would try to defend the indefensible by attacking the good name of one of Northampton County's best lawyers.
ReplyDeleteAs opposed to you attacking Mrs. McClure.
ReplyDeleteThere's a difference between attacking someone's integrity w/o foundation, as you have done, and attacking someone's qualifications, as I have done.
ReplyDeleteAre you insane, I never attacked anyone. I know Len Zito and agree he is a great guy and great attorney. I questioned YOUR attack on Mrs. McClure. Why do you assume my defense of her means I attacked Len.
ReplyDeleteThis is why you lack any real credibility.
Zito's good name ? Anyway, ask Lenny if how he got appointed after being rejected by both parties.
ReplyDeleteThis is an attack on Lenny Zito. It suggests that he has no good name. It is a personal attack aimed at his integrity. I've attacked McClure bc she is unfit as a judge. There's nothing personal in it. And she is unfit as a judge. Any practicing trial attorney will acknowledge that, at least privately.
It was stupid to suggesdt her name and intended as a slight to Lenny Zito, who follows the law instead of playing partisan politics with McClure. I've personally witnessed the disrespect that McClure has displayed to Zito. McClure has yet to schedule a hearing on whether to "accept" one of Zito's legal opinions. It's no surprise to see Zito snarked in favor of a person whose most outstanding quality is her ability to obtain signatures on nomination petitions.
I am annon 5:21 and I have never said or indicated anything of a negative nature towards Len. I do not believe saying that your attack on Mrs. McClure was unfair is an attack on Len.
ReplyDeleteI hope he runs and I seriously doubt Mrs. McClure will be appointed to the Bench. I hope that clarifies my position.
Anon 5:21,
ReplyDeleteIf you don't wish to be confused with other anons who do attack people's integrity, then give yourself a pseudonym. Sandy McClure is unfit to be a judge. That's just the way it is. It's actually unfair and deceptive NOT to point it out.
Who says Sandy is unfit for the bench ? You ? You are unfit for the practice of law as you forged your client's name to a release and settled a case for fifty bucks. Now that we've established that you should have been prosecuted for the crime of forgery and you were not b/c your old man was the former da inappropriately influencing the da at the time. So, get some people to come on the record O'Hare. Because it is you who are unfit.
ReplyDeleteLooks like I'vew touched a nerve.
ReplyDeleteIf my father fixed things for me, he did a pretty shitty job. I lost my license to practice law. There was never any lucre or malice in my actions, just a lot of booze. If what I had done was criminal, I would have been prosecuted.
Yes, I lost my license, but no one ever accused me of being stupid.
Sandy McClure is simply not qualified to be a judge. Like I said, don't take my word for it. Ask lawyers whose licenses were not suspended, and they'll tell you privately what I say publicly.
Did you not forge your client's name to a legal document without your client's knowledge ? Was that not a crime at the time ? Did the authorities just not notice ? Were you drunk at the moment you committed the forgery ?
ReplyDeleteYep. I signed a client's name to the dismissal of a case that had no merit. I was half in the bag at the time. There was no lucre or malice. I did the right thing, but without permission. The client himself ultimately forgave me, and that's all that matters to me. Your ad hominems are an attempt to deflect attention away from a billionaire who thinks he can buy NC judgeships for lawyers who are completely unqualified, but politically well connected. They won't work. They've never worked. You won't stop me from blogging, try as hard as you might.
ReplyDelete