The Express Times finally did "break" a story about the Sheriff's failure to check references in Tricia Mezzacappa's gun permit application. That story first appeared here on March 28, On April 1, I followed up with a report on the Sheriff's inability to check references. The newspaper is about two weeks late, and with half the story. Of course, that's still better than The Morning Call, which has yet to publish a word about a dangerous candidate for public office.
I attempted to complete The Express Times account with two comments. They've been deleted. Instead, they're allowing comments that state Mezzacappa is just swell. I believe my comments were deleted because the newspaper is running scared and is allowing itself to be intimidated by Mezzacappa. They nevertheless complete the story. I believe truth is a bit more important than a lawsuit. Fortunately, I saved the comments and will post them here.
Newspapers are no longer the gatekeepers. Thanks to the Internet, they have lost control over the pablum they would prefer to feed you. If they want to regain some of their lost readers, they might consider being more timely and more honest.
The Sheriff is required by law to conduct an investigation into those seeking a LTCF, but is only given 45 days to do so and may only charge $20 for a permit that lasts for 5 years. Even gun rights advocates acknowledge the importance of thorough background checks. Before adopting new laws that may very well be ineffective, legislators would do better to give Sheriffs the resources to enforce laws already on the books. A Sheriff needs more time. The fee should be more than $20, which is cheaper than a dog license.
Tricia Mezzacappa, who incidentally is running BOTH for County Council and West Easton Boro Council, listed two people as references that she knew would never support her. This is because she treated this as a joke.
Attorney Orloski is not "feuding" with Mezzacappa, as reported in this story. He is instead the attorney in my defamation suit against her. He is doing his job and is acting professionally.
Mezzacappa bragged about her LTCF, showed her firearms to numerous people in public places, posted a horrendous video about shooting people, and posted three death fantasies on this site about shooting someone with hollow point bullets. In fact, her account was so offensive that her account was suspended. The Express Times fails to report that the online commentary referred to in the story was posted here.
She has been convicted of disorderly conduct for conduct including allegations that she threatened to drag West Easton Boro Council Prez Kelly Gross to the Delaware River and drown her. Just a few days ago, she was charged with criminal harassment for impersonating someone on the internet. In my defamation case, she has filed papers claiming that she is incompetent to stand trail as a result of drugs prescribed for her mental condition. She is the last person who should be given a LTCF, and it is my hope that it has finally been revoked.
On Thursday, she sued against The Express Times for defamation, claiming that the newspaper writes too much about her. That story has not appeared at this news source, but it certainly is newsworthy. The paper has an obligation to inform the public about the erratic behavior of this candidate for public office.
Tricia Mezzacappa, who incidentally is running BOTH for County Council and West Easton Boro Council, listed two people as references that she knew would never support her. This is because she treated this as a joke.
Attorney Orloski is not "feuding" with Mezzacappa, as reported in this story. He is instead the attorney in my defamation suit against her. He is doing his job and is acting professionally.
Mezzacappa bragged about her LTCF, showed her firearms to numerous people in public places, posted a horrendous video about shooting people, and posted three death fantasies on this site about shooting someone with hollow point bullets. In fact, her account was so offensive that her account was suspended. The Express Times fails to report that the online commentary referred to in the story was posted here.
She has been convicted of disorderly conduct for conduct including allegations that she threatened to drag West Easton Boro Council Prez Kelly Gross to the Delaware River and drown her. Just a few days ago, she was charged with criminal harassment for impersonating someone on the internet. In my defamation case, she has filed papers claiming that she is incompetent to stand trail as a result of drugs prescribed for her mental condition. She is the last person who should be given a LTCF, and it is my hope that it has finally been revoked.
On Thursday, she sued against The Express Times for defamation, claiming that the newspaper writes too much about her. That story has not appeared at this news source, but it certainly is newsworthy. The paper has an obligation to inform the public about the erratic behavior of this candidate for public office.
This story is overdue.
Although I understand there is an ongoing investigation onto the Deputy who leaked Mezzacappa's application, I would hope that no charges are filed. First, Mezzacappa has vitiated any confidentiality by listing reference she knew would oppose her LTCF. Second, she herself repeated bragged publicly about her LTCF. Finally, the Deputy who leaked this blew the whistle on a glaring deficiency in the Sheriff's office, and one with public safety repercussions. Rather than violating the public trust, he was upholding it.
Don't shoot the messenger here, Bernie.
ReplyDeleteIn fairness to the The Express Times, your comment went beyond the scope of their article. You brought in a couple of things they probably didn't want to approve, by allowing it to remain. Nobody has come forward with a "documented" complaint of her showing her firearm in a public place. Your own action against her, which in fairness to you was disclosed by you, makes your comment obviously biased and would only add some minor kindling to Mezzacappa's frivolous complaint against them.
That said, if The Express Times fails to print the story of Mezzacappa filing a complaint against them after they confirm such a request to the DA, then yes, she does have them intimidated.
Actually, I have that from two different sources. These are ALL verifiable facts, and ones I can prove in court. Characterizing Orloski's relationship with her as a feud is a very poor choice of words. In addition, the paper fails to report she is running for two offices. They fail to point out that her death fantasies were posted on their own web page, and that they were posted three times. They fail to report that her account was terminated. They don't bother reminding readers that she was recently convicted of disorderly conduct for threatening to kill an elected official. They have told half the story, and left out the lawsuit filed against them.
ReplyDeleteHer complaint against them was filed civilly, in Northampton County, on Thursday. They are well aware of it.
All of our local news papers have been digging their own holes for quite a while.
ReplyDeleteIt's capitalism.
Scare and cajole the people in to agreeing with a very few peoples agendas.
More cops in schools, more sheriffs agents, privatized water, untouchable elected cabals, huge publicly funded projects nobody wants or understands, and the list goes on.
Talking about 50 calls a day to keep the public safe from crazies with guns.
Just what and who's priority will take precedent?
Bernie,
ReplyDeleteI understand the argument that the Sheriff's Department is understaffed. However, didn't Rick Orloski contact the Sheriff on several occasions in the past to complaint about Mezzacappa's LTCF? Why weren't his complaints taken seriously? Why didn't his complaints provoke a thorough review of the application? That's the real failure here.
Oh Please!! O'Hare you and your angry little groupies have loved it when over the past seven years The Express Times has printed the Stoffa press releases without any follow up on the real facts. You loved it when they wrote mindless editorials agreeing with every goofy idea he has had. Now that they don't jusmp when you yell they are wroing.
ReplyDeleteFace it, they are not interested in your inflamatory emotionally unstable tirades. They are not taking sides in some goofy lovers spat that will end up costing the taxpayers more money.
You and your whacky pals will not be happy until good people everywheere are deprived of their permits that are given in a "shall issue" state like PA. If I know of anyone forced to wait one day beyond the 45, I will tell them to sue the County, the sheriff and John Stooffa. Maybe even Orloski.
The article was fair, especially how a person could change their mind. The real villan is the person who leaked the confidential information and they not only must lose their job but face crimminal charges as well. Stay the Hell away form my rights. I don't give a damn abiut you or your old girlfriend.
Ray Westlan
A normal applicant would simply list two references who would vouch for her. Why did she do the opposite? What's her problem?
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that nobody reads that ever more poorly written piece of shit. The spelling, grammar, construction, and style book are similar to a fourth grade girl's diary. They just don't pay enough to attract any better than community college pass-alongs. You always get what you pay for and that rag pays shit. Said shit is reflected in every department of that debacle, from Customer Disservice in Bangalore to the half-retards like Tony Rhodin, who's never gotten farther than Easton and still doesn't know names of places in the rest of the county - even with Google and Mapquest.
ReplyDeleteThe press could function well aside of internet,IF they got back into mainstream contacts. I would say as a former U.S.Army Scout Officer that if somebody has to call the press in a place like Easton to announce a PRESS CONFERENCE for example ,they would be already lame ,and behind the 8 ball. They should know that one was planned as soon as the planner made it so had the right contacts for news been made prior. I once told the personnel director of the City of Easton that you can tell when a lot of younger females are on the hill because you will find the hair bands ,like black O's all over the street , you don't find them in the West Ward,I was making a correlation about how the city could locate an un-subscribed tax payer base.Need to know WHAT to look for.
ReplyDeleteUntil Mazzacappa is convicted of a crime and has not been declared "nuts" by the Courts, she is legally allowed to have a gun. She can also show it to anybody she so desires. There is no law against showing a gun to people. Common sense would dictate that it is not a good idea but it is not illegal. As for the deputy who made this public, he did the community a good service, but according to the law, it is illegal. He violated a law and he is sworn to uphold the law. He too must pay the piper for his actions.
ReplyDeleteYou are mistaken. A LTCF can be revoked by the Sheriff for "good cause," and I believe he has done so.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Angle, heard his son got arrested , again!
ReplyDeleteAccording to the firearms law, Section 6109(g), the Sheriff must verify "the accuracy of the information contained in the application." I take it that applies to the legitimacy of the references the applicant for a LTCF chooses to list.
ReplyDeleteWhen Sal and Jennings silenced the West Ward press Lehigh Valley Rambling didn't say a word about it.
ReplyDeleteI'm one person and can't write stories about which I am only casually familiar. Another blogger was looking into it. I agree that is just one of many untold stories. Why don't you do me a favor and write a story, give us all the facts, take responsibility for your words by signing your name. If it checks out, I will publish it.
ReplyDeleteBOH you don't post relevant comments if you don't like their content. You do it all the time. So what's good for the goose must be good for the gander.
ReplyDelete8:29, Although I would expect the Sheriff to check references, it is not specifically required. The exact language of 6109(d) is as follows:
ReplyDelete(d) Sheriff to conduct investigation.--The sheriff to whom the application is made shall:
(1) investigate the applicant's record of criminal conviction;
(2) investigate whether or not the applicant is under indictment for or has ever been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year;
(3) investigate whether the applicant's character and reputation are such that the applicant will not be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety;
(4) investigate whether the applicant would be precluded from receiving a license under subsection (e)(1) or section 6105(h) (relating to persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms); and
(5) conduct a criminal background, juvenile delinquency and mental health check following the procedures set forth in section 6111 (relating to sale or transfer of firearms), receive a unique approval number for that inquiry and record the date and number on the application.
Bernie, You correctly quote Section(d) of the law, but what about Section(g)?
ReplyDelete(g) Grant or denial of license.--Upon the receipt of an application for a license to carry a firearm, the sheriff shall, within 45 days, issue or refuse to issue a license on the basis of the investigation under subsection (d) and the accuracy of the information contained in the application. If the sheriff refuses to issue a license, the sheriff shall notify the applicant in writing of the refusal and the specific reasons. The notice shall be sent by certified mail to the applicant at the address set forth in the application.
Section (g) and (d) have to be read together We disbarred lawyers call it in pari materia. I would agree that submitting names as references who were opposed to Mezzacappa's application would be a basis for denial.
ReplyDeletepigface817
ReplyDeleteOrloaski was conatcted and he knows it. He's getting his arse beat by a pro se defendent. So what does he do? Calls the police and tells them she burned his office to the ground...that didnt work, so now he pretends he never got a phone call. He did and it was verified.
He acts like a child , cant win a case and should be disbarred, just like his malignant socoipath of a client. They should be charged , convicted and tossed into a top bunk/ bottom bunk jail cell....Stoffa too.
I read the Express times article and agree it let out many details. The easy fix to this problem is hire more people as Stoffa says. The correct way would be to reach out to nearby sheriff departments are find out how they handle the problem. This would make too much sense. This study would probably show that deputies assigned to gun permits actually do gun permits. These deputies do not occupy dispatch,inventory weapons using a CODY system that Bethlehem is now getting rid of - didn't work in Bethlehem but bring it to Northampton County - and play around with vehicles all day. Northampton County Sheriff's Department is mismanaged, pure and simple. If the deputies assigned to gun permits actually did gun permits, more personnel would not be needed. Instead, Sheriff Miller allowed his little Napolean alter ego sergeant buddy to "create his own little empire" of how to avoid doing the work he should by transfering work others managed to do long ago when he was still getting "swirles" and beat up. Raise taxes and hire more rather than expose Miller for his incompetance.
ReplyDeleteTo believe the comment posted by "pigface817", i.e. Tricia Mezzacappa, you would have to disbelieve Sheriff Miller, Rick Orloski and John Stoffa.
ReplyDeleteAlrighty then.
I just deleted a comment by someone complaining I delete him.
ReplyDeleteWhy did the Express delete your comments? Because Angle didn't pay them anymore to run your info-commercials any more.
ReplyDeleteTheh article was not a Stoffa/ Angle/O'Hare commercial. I will agree with that.
ReplyDeleteAs a convicted Felon, Speaking on behalf of convict's.....Ya'll have a way too cavalier attitude about Guns.
ReplyDelete7:41, are you Ronny Angle?
ReplyDeleteTo 10;44 I would not believe from what I observe the the SHERIFF's OFFICE is mismanaged under Sheriff Miller. I would say his Deputies from what I see in the court house are appearing mighty professional and deliberate in there actions these days. I am impressed with the way they handle the front of the court house. Only one thing ,I would examine the currant policy about training with firearms, as I had written Chief Mazzio some years ago, about 90days prior to a death at the police station , no body paid attention to the letter.Sheriff needs to train properly in firearms, he needs a budget for it, and proper trainers .Other than that he looks good.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they deleted your rant because they finally accepted as fact that you are a malignant sociopath who refuses to move on with his life.
ReplyDeleteYour hundreds , if not thousands of rants and comments about Mezzacappa leave a trail that stinks of obcession, compulsion and a refusal to accept no for an answer.
Face it , your're a psycho with a psycho blog. Her lawsuit against you may prevail with just one sentance......
visit LVR and type Tricia into the search box
you REALLY need to move on with your life and seek mental help for your disfunctyional and creepy obsession.
Time for your drug cocktail, Tricia.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. Are you sure you and this Mezzacappa woman aren't related? You really do seem to be obsessed with each other and you seem to have so much in common...sort of like twins separated at birth who meet each other years later.
ReplyDeleteConsider yourself lucky that I am writing and warning the public about this very bad candidate. And I even sign my name.
ReplyDelete