Next NorCo DA Will Have a Full-Time Professional Office

When John Morganelli became Northampton County's District Attorney in 1991, the office was a part-time position. At that time, nine of 11 assistant DAs were part-time prosecutors who also maintained a private practice. Morganelli argued that he and his assistants should devote 100% of their time to prosecuting criminal cases. The voters agreed and adopted a Home Rule Charter Amendment to make his position full-time. Since that time, he has worked year after year to transform his office from a "part-time political office to a full-time professional prosecutor's office." If his budget for next year is approved by County Council, that transition will finally be complete.

Currently, 19 of 21 assistant DAs are full-time prosecutors. The two part-timers left are veteran prosecutors Richard Huntington Pepper, Esq., and John L. Obrecht, Esq. Both were serving before Morganelli himself became DA, over 28 years ago. Both have busy law practices and would like to step down. So they will leave when Morganelli does. Pepper will look for his missing hair, while Obrecht plans to take up the tuba.

In his proposed budget, Morgaenlli plans to replace them with full-time prosecutors. He expects this will have a negligible impact on his $2.5 million budget because the newcomers will start at only slightly more than Pepper and Obrecht were being paid.

In addition, to this change, Morganelli is asking Council to approve a new Clerk to assist county detectives in forfeiture matters. This was recommended in a recent Controller's audit, and will also allow detectives to devote more time to countywide drug investigations.

Finally, Morganelli's budget calls for a $42,000 contribution to the Petzold Forensic Center at DeSales University and $50,000 for the Regional Crime Center established by Lehigh County DA Jim Martin. "Regionalization with respect to these services makes sense," he said.

Morganelli said he has not consulted with either of his two possible successors concerning his budget proposal. "I'm still the boss," he smiled. He is sure both would agree because Democratic nominee Terry Houck is and GOP candidate Tom Carroll was full-time prosecutors in his office.

During his final five months in office, Morganelli is wrapping up a few cases in which he is personally involved and is preparing a transition memo.

When he ascends to the judicial heavens in January, he will take no part in any criminal case that was pending when he was District Attorney.

Is Morganelli Pure Enough?

John Morganelli

Most people running for office establish Facebook pages for that purpose. In most cases, these candidates will permit anyone to post comments. After all, they are trying to create interest in their campaigns.They do attract supporters, but they also support what I call political trolls. These are people who already support other candidates. They only post on the candidate's page to flame him or her.

Unlike most candidates, Congressional candidate John Morganelli is using his personal Facebook page to promote his campaign. Like other candidates, he has attracted a few political trolls who are trying to shout him down,much as they did at the partisan NextGen debate a few weeks ago. These so-called liberals are only tolerant of those who agree with them. One of them, a Sue Wild supporter, came onto John Morganelli's Facebook page to attack him and claim he is not Democratic enough. Morganelli answered him, and I thought I'd share what he said in a forum where no one could shout him down.

I respect your opinion, but what is it based upon? Here are the facts:

. Started working for Democratic candidates at age 12. Was a member of Teenage Democrats and Young Democrats.

. Was a member of Executive Committee of Bethlehem Democratic City Committee.

. Chaired numerous Democratic campaigns in Northampton County over a period of 30 years as well chaired Democratic voter registration drives and county Democratic Dinners.

. Had numerous fundraisers at my home raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for people like Governor Wolf, Joe Sestak and local candidates.

. Personally contributed over a hundred thousand dollars to Democrats.

. Am a pro labor, pro public education, got an F from NRA , support Medicare for all, hired more women and minorities on my staff than any other DA, fought racial profiling , advocated to ban the box, initiated the county’s first mental health court , supported drug court,

I could go on and on. But yes, I am for secure borders.

I disagree with John's stance on illegal immigration. I oppose the death penalty. But John is a Democrat, and one who actually tolerates views that differ from his. So much so that he directed the dismissal of trespass charges brought against antiwar protesters demonstrating outside the Palmer Post Office.Free speech. He dismissed charges against a libertarian who was charged criminally for choosing to fly the American flag upside down. Free speech. He directed dismissal of littering charges brought against a Trump supporter who plastered West Easton with pro-Trump signs. Free speech. And yes, he is one of the few Democrats who has been willing to speak to the tea party. Free speech.

The First Amendment is first for a reason. Without it, our form of government crumbles. You should support whomever you want in Congress. But I am offended at the trolls who have shouted John down at debates and have even come on his own personal Facebook page to attack him. It is highly ironic that those who preach tolerance are so bad at practicing it. It is also disappointing, but far from surprising, that none of John's supposedly more liberal colleagues defended his right to speak as he was shouted down in the NextGen debate.

While ideologues allow the good to be the enemy of the perfect, it is important to remember that two very formidable candidates are running on the Republican side in a "toss up" district. The only Democrat who can beat either one of them is John Morganelli.

Morganelli Forgets to Punch In

On Thursday, either NorCo HR Director Amy Trapp or her husband posted this comment on my blog about timeclocks.

Is this a serious article? Are you kidding me!? Hourly employees don't want to use a time clock? And there is some rule, law or document somewhere stating that hourly employees don't have to use a time clock? Seems to me that anyone putting in an honest day's work wouldn't have a problem punching in or out. As a taxpayer in Northampton county I'm glad that there will be proof of an employee being at work. These entitled spoiled brat government employees need to get on board. If they don't want to punch a clock at the Northampton county courthouse let them quit and punch a clock elsewhere. Hey, here's an idea. Don't punch the time clock and when there's no money in your account on pay day, bet they'll start punching a time clock! And as for Morganelli maybe he has more important things to be concerned about. And to the person who made the idiotic statement " it is dehumanizing" get a grip! Millions of people punch in and out every day!

That comment was meant to be anonymous, but either Amy or her husband pushed the "Publish" button without thinking. Though the comment was deleted, I get an email notification of every comment posted, so I received it right away. Trapp claimed her husband was the culprit, not her. She refused to apologize for his (or her) slur at the county workforce. She also refused to apologize for the slur at Morganelli.

That evening, Morganelli was contacted by Palmer police concerning a homicide, and worked with officers until late that night. The next day, a Friday, Morganelli was at the courthouse by 8 am. He put in a full day, but joked he forgot to punch in.

He claims that in his younger years, people used to time him with a stopwatch. Now it's a calendar.

Deal Me Out of iGaming, Sez NorCo DA

According to Online Poker Report, Pennsylvania is ready to deal online gambling into the mix of money-grabbing schemes to generate revenue without a tax hike. The Morning Call.reports that a majority of state Republicans support onling gambling. But not yesterday. Online gambling folded in the state House, 107-81. But the cards were shuffled and dealt again. A motion to reconsider was adopted by an even larger majority of the very legislators who had just said No.

Only in Harrisburg.

The gimmick under which this is being pitched is that the money raised will go to distressed pension funds and the law will actually regulate iGaming. People already gamble online, claim iGaming advocates. “What we are providing in this bill is consumer protection," says State Rep. Pete Dunbar.

Payne's bill would allow iGaming, but it would be restricted to those who already have gaming licenses. A casino or a racetrack would have to pay $5 million for each iGaming license, and 14% of the gross would go to the state. Casinos with a license could install slots and online gambling at airport terminals and off-track betting parlors.

The only casino owner who opposes a gambling expansion is the Sands Casino's Sheldon Adelson. He's formed a group called Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling, His group accuses State Rep. Payne of putting Pennsylvania's kids at risk by supporting online gambling predators who target children and hook them with Disney-looking cartoon characters.

What do you think? Morganelli argues this makes it too easy for people who are predisposed.



Northampton County DA John Morganelli's remarks: In June of 2015, our State Senator Lisa Boscola warned that the idea of expanding gambling in Pennsylvania including, on-line gaming, was gaining traction due to structural deficits in the Pennsylvania budget. Senator Boscola was absolutely right when she raised a red flag pointing out some of the dangers that come with the expansion of gaming.

On November 19, 2015, the media reported that a state house committee had voted out of committee legislation that would represent the biggest expansion of legal gambling in Pennsylvania since the casino era was ushered in. By an 18 to 8 vote, the Gaming Oversight Committee approved a bill that, if enacted, would:

• Legalize and regulate Internet gambling run exclusively through the state’s 12 licensed casinos;
• Create a new type of mini casino in Pennsylvania by permitting up to 250 slot machines at off track betting parlors run by the state’s six racetracks;
• Allow casino operators that reached agreement with airport authorities to install slots at the state’s six airports designated as capable of handling regular international flights, including Harrisburg.
• Allow casinos to sell alcohol around the clock.

The aforesaid vote pushed forward the debate that could very well lead to Pennsylvania joining the ranks of states that have legally sanctioned gambling on all forms of personal electronic devices including computers, tablets and smart phones.

The arrival of casinos in Pennsylvania sparked controversy throughout the state with proponents arguing that gaming, and specifically casinos, would increase revenue and employment in the state. Now, however, Pennsylvania leaders are no longer satisfied that the current industry is sufficient. Pennsylvania is now looking to legalize on-line gambling, a practise that, in my opinion, could harm our society instead of helping it. Although I recognize that on-line gambling and the expansion of gaming in general can be used as a means to raise state revenue, I am very concerned about the negative impact of such an expansion. Seven states currently have legal on-line gambling: Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Georgia, Minnesota and Michigan. New Jersey, which legalized remote gaming in 2013 after being vetoed by Governor Chris Christie in both 2011 and 2012, has actually seen revenue fall dramatically short of its previous projection. However, the real concern is the social impact that this would have — namely the increase in addictions and crime.

There are many types of gambling addictions, but the most common and all-encompassing is a problematic addiction. It is defined as an addiction that causes “disruptions in any major area of life: psychological, physical, social or vocational.” In January of 2007, Professor Mark Griffith wrote an article published by the British Medical Association titled “Gambling Addiction and a Treatment Within NHS.” Griffith goes on in depth to discuss the dangers of on-line gaming specifically, saying that it is potentially “one of the biggest challenges concerning the social impact of gambling.” According to Professor Griffith, 10% of the UK population has an on-line gambling addiction, while 3-5% of city residents are addicted. It is the remote nature of this type of gaming that makes it such a threat to public health. The accessibility it offers allows people to gamble wherever and whenever, including at work and school. For addicts, the temptation is sitting right there, in their phone, their computer, at their desk. With this accessibility comes a lack of monitoring, where the vulnerable, such as children, problem gamblers, addictive types and the mentally impaired can use the site without any supervision. The demo modes of these casinos, where users can have a free trial to experiment with the site, are typically made to let the user win, in order to lure them into actual gambling. Once they are betting users, the game automatically is flipped to have the house in its favor. This availability, although not proven to be any more addictive then in-house gambling, allows people to engage in this behavior and therefore promotes it to a broader user base than normal. At the present time, and with brick and mortar casinos, individuals have to at least get up out of their chair, navigate their way to a casino and then navigate back home. The privacy and seclusion that on-line gaming offers is dangerous, as people can sit in the comfort of their homes and gamble for hours on end. In a traditional casino, dealers and staff are there to oversee the amount of time spent at tables and to discourage problematic conduct. Not so with on-line gaming.

Another issue with on-line gaming is the lack of fiscal awareness. Gaming sites deal exclusively with electronic cash which “may serve to distance a gambler from how much money he or she is spending.” (Griffith) Furthermore, the advent of e-cash systems allows gamblers to access money with a click of a button, never having to leave the game and leading to the idea that virtual cash is less valuable then actual cash.

Further, gambling drives people to become involved in unhealthy behavior, not just at the tables, but in society as well. Take a case directly out of Northampton County of Commonwealth v. Greg Hogan. The president of his class at Lehigh University, Hogan was sucked into the world of on-line gambling. His father found out, and installed protective software on his computer. However, some off shore gambling sites worked their way around the software, luring Hogan back and causing him to fall into thousands of dollars’ worth of debt. He felt so desperate that he turned to crime on December 9, 2005, Hogan robbed a bank. His on-line poker addiction drove him to become someone else, someone that not even his closest friends or family recognized. Gambling turned him into a criminal. The same thing happened to a nun working at Iona College in New York. She embezzled over $850,000.00 dollars from her school to fund her gambling addiction.

But the danger does not stop there. A study funded by the American Gambling Association titled “Suicide in Gambling: An Analysis of Suicide Rates in US Counties and Metropolitan Areas” showed that the suicide rates in major gambling areas are higher than those of towns that do not allow gambling. “Gambling or some factor closely associated with gambling is linked to elevated suicide levels. The findings raised the possibility that the recent expansion of legalized gambling and the consequent increase in gambling may be accompanied by an increase in US suicides (Phillips et al., 1997, 378)”

Bankruptcy is also an issue at play. People gamble away their salaries, their savings, their lives. In Mississippi, a study found that gaming was responsible for a 24% increase in bankruptcy filings, not just in the state itself, but in neighboring states as well. The people who cannot fight their addiction lose everything resulting in an increase likelihood of hunger, homelessness, and the inability to provide themselves with necessary care. Obviously the on-line gambling has not been the sole contributor; the brick and mortar casinos themselves take part of the blame. But by introducing the second method of gambling, we are letting lose a second lion in the pasture.

Additionally, there are many crimes that are exclusive to on-line gambling. There are fake gaming sites, lottery scams, and even “winner” scams. Criminals have begun to use the Internet as a way to broaden their base of victims, as it allows them to send out mass messages in a short amount of time, maximizing their efforts. A fraud scheme from Canada stole $5 million dollars from US citizens sending out emails telling them that they won the lottery. And with the constant improvement in hacking techniques, it has become alarmingly easy for people to steal credit card numbers and personal identities. Additionally, the backroom Internet betting parlors make it much more difficult for prosecutors to find the participants, and for the government to regulate the gaming. These parlors use the anonymity and dark corners of the Internet to hide from the law, enabling far more illegal activities than a traditional casino. It is this secrecy and privacy that makes on-line gambling the perfect place for money laundering. Former Attorney General Eric Holder said the following:

“The Internet gambling operations are, in essence, the functional equivalent of wholly unregulated offshore banks with the bettor account serving as bank accounts for account holders who are, in the virtual world, virtually anonymous. For these reasons, Internet gambling operations are vulnerable to be used not only for money laundering but also for criminal activities ranging from terrorists financing to tax evasion.”

Essentially, there is no way to track the money that is being traded on-line, due to fact that virtual cash leaves no paper trail; it is nearly impossible to find where and when the money is turned over into real liquid. This sort of gambling is perfect for laundering, as high volumes of money are being transferred constantly. Many criminals have begun to use on-line casinos as methods of payment for illegal activities, disguising payments as winnings.

It is my hope that Pennsylvania legislative leaders scrap any idea of the expansion of gambling in Pennsylvania. In my view it will clearly lead to an increase in crime, poverty among those who can least afford it, addictions and social instability. This message is not one that should be interpreted as anti-gambling or anti-casino. I supported the construction of the Sands Casino in Northampton County and I have personally patronized it. This is not about brick and mortar casinos but clearly about the expansion of on-line gambling and the other aspects of this legislation that, in my opinion, can only result in a negative impact upon many of our citizens throughout the state.

For the aforesaid reasons, I will ask the Executive Branch of the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Association to take a formal position against this proposed legislation.

Morganelli and Martin Team Up on Digital Forensics Lab

Lehiogh County DA Jim Martin and NorCo DA are both excellent prosecutors with completely different styles. Morganelli is a litigator who likes to try his own cases and send messages to the bad guys with effective and quick justices. Martin is more of an administrator, but has proactively developed numerous task forces, a regional crime center and a digital forensics lab.

With Martin at his side, Morganelli announced yesterday that Northampton County is signing on to the digital forensics lab, located at DeSales University. Martin established this lab in 2011 with funding from a memorial foundation set up in honor of Upper Saucon Police Officer David M Pezold, who lost his life in the line of duty.

In Northampton County, when police want to analyze cell phones or computers, the items are shipped off to the state police, which has a current backlog of eleven months. With that kind of delay, the dated information becomes far less valuable. But according to crime lab manager Paul Iannace, that backlog is one month or less at the DeSales lab. In addition to two full-time employees, the lab is manned by interns from various colleges, as well as police officers. "From harassment to homicide, we can investigate it all.

Martin has made these services available when Northampton County police officers have asked for help. BUT Morganelli has now agreed to help fund the operation with $40,000 per year, and several Easton police officers have volunteered to assist in operating the lab. Martin will retain overall control.

Martin called the arrangement a "win-win for everyone in the law enforcement community."

Though the two counties are working together on a digital forensic lab, Northampton County has yet to commit to the Regional Crime Center, which has been credited for solving several homicides and other crimes. Martin believes a regional crime center is the most sensible approach to a transient criminal community whose crimes dot along the thruways in both counties.

When he was Sheriff, Randy Miller actually opposed the regional crime center. Morganelli has been concerned about cost, but supports the concept and would be happy to see it funded from the $1.2 million in table games revenue that flow into county coffers every year.

Blogger's Note: I have copyrighted the above picture of Jim Martin.

DA to Crack Down on Construction Firms Skirting Employment Laws

It makes good business sense to avoid paying people who work for you and instead calling them "independent contractors." Assuming these workers are not just paid under the table, it's a great way for the one per-centers to avoid paying payroll taxes, to say nothing of workman's comp or fair wages. Unfortunately, this has become prevalent throughout the country in many areas of employment, but is most prevalent in the construction industry. Often, the people abused are undocumented workers, who will remain silent for fear of deportation.

Under Pennsylvania's Construction Workplace Misclassification Act, the state legislature has set forth a very clear litmus test to distinguish an independent contractor from an employee. A person working at a construction site can only be considered an independent contractor if all nine of the following conditions exist:

1. You have a written contract with the business or person you work for.
2. You control and direct your own work.
3. You possess the tools that are needed to perform your work.
4. Your arrangement with the business you work for allows you to earn a profit or suffer a loss from your work.
5. You are an owner or partner in your own business.
6. Your business location is separate from the location of the business or person which hired you to perform the construction.
7. You previously worked as an independent contractor, or you hold yourself out to the public as available and able to work as an independent contractor.
8. You have liability insurance of at least $50,000.
9. You have sworn an affidavit disavowing all knowledge of Miley Cyrus.

OK, I made up #9. Still, it's a strict standard.

Northampton County's Investigating Grand Jury, through DA John Morganelli, is expected to release a report today concerning local construction firms. Criminal charges have been recommended against one Northampton County construction firm.

John Morganelli Sitting on $332,000 Campaign Fund

Though he has no opponent in this year's election, John Morganelli is sitting on a $332,000 campaign fund. Last year alone, he raised $47,730.00

What amazes me, when I look at his list of donors, is that everyone funds him. J.B. Reilly and Joe Topper were good for $10,000. Though Abe Atiyeh is suing Reilly, he gave $5,000 to Morganelli, too.

Why developers? DAs don't have anything to do with development projects. Atiyeh tells me that he always gives to Morganelli because he is tough on crime, and that helps him to keep high property values.

Bottom-feeding bloggers tend to cancel that out.

With this kind of money, Morganelli is in position to start a statewide run down the road. If he stays where he is, he can influence elections in a big way.

Morganelli Refers Scheuermann Decision to AG

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli has all the information he needs to make a decision in the Richard Scheuermann homicide. But he's decided to refer the matter to the state AG, whose recent behavior has at least one state senator seeking her impeachment.

Morganelli is punting because he recently discovered that he is acquainted with some of Scheuermann's family, and knows and has worked with the EEaston police officer whose shots ended Scheuermann's life.

Though he gave no indication how he felt about the matter, Morganelli made the following observations:

• Police had "seconds" to make their decision to use deadly force.
• The Palmer police officer who fired shot into Scheuermann's tire.
• One Easton police officer fired two shots aimed at Scheuermann. . 

Morganelli cited three previous examples in which police shootings were referred to the AG. In 1997, then Attorney general Michael Fisher ruled that the shooting of John Hirko by Bethlehem police was justified. In 2005, when Easton Police Officer was killed by a fellow officer, the shooting was deemed accidental. But in 1998, involuntary manslaughter charges were filed against Easton police officer Scott Cameron, who fired at John Rapp after being knocked over by Rapp's truck.

Morganelli waited until now to make the referral because the investigation was still in progress.

NorCo DA Announces Task Force to Prevent Elder Abuse

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli is taking aim at those who prey on our senior citizens. Former bank President Richard Freer, a financial predator, recently pleaded guilty to squandering the life savings of many elderly clients who trusted him. But this extends to family members, too, who often steal from and physically abuse older relatives. In addition, our elderly are often targeted by scam artists. After meeting with the Department of Aging Director John Mehler, the DA has decided to establish an Elder Abuse Task Force.

Explaining his motives, Morganelli repeated Hubert Humphrey's often quoted moral test of government, stating government is judged not just by how it treats those in the dawn of life, but those who are in their twilight as well as those who are in the shadows.

Morganelli has established a child sexual assault division and court school to help those in the dawn of life. His recently announced Mental Health Court should provide relief for some of those in the shadows. Now he proposes that we pay closer attention to elderly crime victims. His hope is that an Elder Abuse Task Force will prevent those crimes from happening.

Morganelli is no fan of establishing a task force just for the sake of having one, he stated, but believes an elder abuse task force would educate the public, seniors and law enforcement. He said it will be a small group wuth the following goals:

• Education. - Bankers and health care providers should be trained to recognize signs of exploitation, like a dwindling bank account. He believes local television, radio and social media should be used to disseminate information to the public. 
• Link Elderly Service Providers With Law Enforcement. - "More communication will result in less victimization," Morganelli explains. 

There are currently about 20 different task forces in the state. Some operate as nonprofits, while others are under the direct control of the District Attorney.

Originally published at 2:48 pm in outline form.  

Bethlehem Begins Thanksgiving Week With a Homicide

Thanksgiving week in Bethlehem started with a homicide. On November 24, shortly before 2 am, 911 dispatchers received a call from Ebony Anniqua Jones, age 31, of the 1200 block of Wodbine Street. She informed them that she had just thrown a knife at a male visitor. That male visitor, Ismael Bonets, age 37, was pronounced dead less than an hour later. The deceased and Jones were the parents of a six year old girl. Jones has two other children, and all three lived with her. Bonets had come from New York City for a parent-teacher conference.

Detective Moses Miller stated that there was no record of prior incidents at the Jones home, and that her three children (aged 6, 9 and 11) were being looked after by friends.

Jones admitted the stabbing.

"It is a clue to a holiday," remarked Chief Mark DiLuzio, "We don't want to see this kind of thing." Northampton County District Attorney John Morganell called the case "a real tragedy. The caretaker of these three children is now in custody."  He authorized thefiling of a general charge of homicide, which could range from first degree murder to involuntary manslaughter.

Morganelli and Bethlehem police urged people who feel the pressure of the holidays to seek help. There are a lot of resources in the Lehigh Valley," Morganelli noted.

The domestic violence hotline number is 1-800-799-7233. "No fees, no names, no judgment. Just help."

DA John Morganelli: Why Privatized Liquor Is Bad For Public Safety

Yesterday, Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli, the Democratic nominee for attorney general in 2008 and a potential candidate for Pennsylvania Lt. Governor in 2014, held a Press Conference in the Capitol Rotunda to explain why Governor Corbett's plan to privatize liquor sales in Pennsylvania is bad for public safety. He was joined by Stephen Erni, Executive Director, Pennsylvania DUI Association, and Felicity DeBacco Erni, also of Pa. DUI Assn. Morganelli is a Past President of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association. Below are his remarks verbatim.

In the early morning hours of April 29, 2001, a 19 year old Christopher Mowad, with his blood alcohol level at twice the legal limit for an adult – lost control of his SUV at 83 miles per hour. It rolled over killing him and two 18 year old passengers. Earlier that evening, a 43 year old adult, Judith Clare McCloskey, allowed dozens and dozens of teenagers to consume alcoholic beverages in her basement at a party hosted by her two teenage daughters. Although she did not buy the alcohol for the teens, she did have knowledge that they were consuming alcohol in her basement and provided a safe haven for them to do so. Shortly after the investigation by police in that case, I directed that charges of Involuntary Manslaughter – 3 counts be lodged against Mrs. McCloskey in order to hold her criminally responsible for the deaths of the teenagers as a facilitator of underage teenage drinking. In the case that was deemed a “landmark” case by The Philadelphia Inquirer in its article of September 30, 2002, a jury of eleven women and one man found Mrs. McCloskey guilty of 3 counts of Manslaughter. She was subsequently sentenced to prison by a Northampton County judge. The case was the first of its kind in the nation to hold an adult criminally responsible for the deaths of teenagers who had consumed alcoholic beverages while under-aged with the help of an adult facilitator. The case was appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and was upheld and now is precedent in Pennsylvania.

Since that time, unfortunately, I have seen the devastating effects when you mix alcohol, teenagers and motor vehicles. Numerous organizations throughout Pennsylvania including but not limited to the Pennsylvania DUI Association, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Students Against Drunk Driving, Alert Partnership and others have worked in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to work in communities to combat underage drinking in order to protect our teens.

Since that time, I have been vigilant in supporting public policy that punishes adult facilitators of underage drinking and restricts the ability of teenagers to obtain and possess alcohol. I come here today to speak out against Governor Tom Corbett’s proposed privatized liquor sales plan which, in my opinion, puts private business interests and their profits above the safety of our young people in Pennsylvania. At a time when we continue to struggle with a weak economy, it is mind boggling that one of Governor Corbett’s top priorities is to allow alcohol, including hard liquor to be more accessible and available to our young people which will clearly put them in harms way. His proposal is bad public policy and, quite frankly, risky public policy. His only rationale for this move as indicated by his spokesman is to give people “choice and convenience” and “flexibility” with respect to the purchase of alcohol. Governor Corbett, as a former Attorney General of this Commonwealth is at odds with many people in the law enforcement community, including the Pennsylvania FOP which opposed the plan in the last legislative session. The Pennsylvania Fraternal Police have opposed privatization efforts that included transfer of enforcement to local police who are not trained for said enforcement nor have resources to do so. Many people in law enforcement oppose an expansion of the availability of hard liquor and other alcohol which will ultimately allow easier access to under-aged drinkers. As was noted in their March 20, 2013 letter, the Pennsylvania FOP also recognizes that expanded access to alcohol throughout the Commonwealth threatens the safety of law enforcement officers and citizens. The U.S. Center for Disease Control has linked privatization of alcohol sales to an increase in per capita alcohol consumption. The U.S. Department of Justice has documented the clear connection between alcohol consumption rates and crime rates. In the State of Washington, in the months following privatization of liquor sales, the Association of Washington Cities reported a 63% increase in liquor thefts and a 30% increase in alcohol-related crimes near grocery stores and similar private vendors. The Center for Disease Control recommended against any further privatization of alcohol sales.

The Governor’s plan is not even revenue friendly in that it brings in revenue on a one time only basis and ignores the fact that liquor stores provide more than Five Hundred Million Dollar a year in taxes and profits to the state. Governor Corbett’s plan means an increase in drinking by our teenagers, more social problems linked to alcohol abuse including but not limited to crime, domestic violence and child abuse. Groups such as Students Against Drunk Driving, the Pennsylvania DUI Association, the NAACP and other organizations concerned with excessive and underage alcohol consumption all have opposed privatization in the past and for good reason.

In addition, Governor Corbett is not being transparent and honest with respect to the law enforcement impact. The Corbett Administration has assured that this transition to the private sector will be made safe by increases in law enforcement as well as alcohol treatment and prevention methods. Unfortunately, this sounds like another unfunded mandate that will not materialize.

In January of this year, more than 100 Tennessee sheriffs and police chiefs including Knoxville’s Chief David Rausch declared opposition to legislation that would allow the sale of wine in grocery stores. Rausch and several other law enforcement officers, part of a Tennessee law enforcement for strong alcohol laws coalition, declared at a legislative news conference that they see wine sales in groceries and supermarkets as weakening control over sales and causing an expansion of underage drinking. Rausch noted that at the present time sting operations with the State Alcoholic Commission and liquor agents currently run operations and rarely find state owned liquor stores doing anything wrong in the nature of selling to underage youths. He noted that convenient stores which now can only sell beer are much more likely to have clerks caught in sting operations. He noted that grocery stores often have under-aged clerks willing to “wink and nod” for sales to under-aged friends. Law enforcement officers noted that wine and other alcohol have higher alcohol content than beer and make it much more attractive to underage drinkers and for binge drinking.

Also, with privatization will come more advertising which will promote more drinking and increase under-aged drinking. In Eugene, Oregon, this year, the Eugene Prevention Coalition noted how high risk alcohol use was twice the national average largely due to stores advertising and promoting drinking and drinking games such as beer pong in order to tie them to alcohol sales.

Governor Corbett’s plan is a plan to fix something that is not broken. In the past years, the legislature has rejected several bills to privatize. These proposals threaten public safety and put more youth at risk.
As someone who has for the last 20 years attempted to do all that is possible to decrease the availability of alcohol to our teenagers, I am highly concerned that Governor Corbett’s plan, if adopted will do just the opposite. It will be much easier for teenagers to obtain all kinds of hard liquor due to lax enforcement and profit driven motives to sell more alcohol. Today, I ask our legislators to defeat Governor Corbett’s proposal which will put more of our young people at risk. The Governor’s business friends are doing just fine.

Coroner: Heroin Overdose Killed Son of Eagles' Coach

At a October 18 news conference, DA John Morganelli provided a glimpse into the final hours of 29 year-old Garrett Reid, oldest son of Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid. Just a few hours before his death on August 5, he was fine, according to two witnesses who saw him on Lehigh University's campus. But at 7:20 AM, he was found dead in his private bedroom at Sayre Park Village, where the Eagles were housed during training camp. According to Coroner Zachary Lysek, an autopsy and subsequent toxicology tests reveal that Reid's killer was heroin. Lysek added that Reid was in fact a chronic heroin user.

"Unfortunately, Garrett Reid did have a battle with drug use," stated Lysek.

LU Police Chief Edward Shupp

But how did Reid get the heroin? That's what Morganelli and Lehigh University police are still investigating. Police uncovered 19 vials of a still undetermined liquid substance, 47 syringes and 64 needles in Reid's gym bag. The also found two empty wax papers in which heroin is commonly packaged.

Officers also have Reid's cell phone, from which they continue to investigate calls and texts to and from Reid.

Morganelli wants the identity of Reid's supplier, whether it is in Philadelphia or Northampton County. Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams has pledged to assist Morganelli in any way needed. Morganelli also noted that the Philadelphia Eagles' organization has been completely cooperative, from Coach Reid to the players.

Whether investigators will ever be successful in identifying Reid's supplier is by no means clear. "Every investigation is its own animal," stated Morganelli.