NBC10 AG Debate For Democratic Candidates

On Thursday, NBC10 broadcast a debate among the three candidates seeking

Morganelli Seeks Ethics Investigation for Shapiro

Nearly two weeks ago, standing at the steps of the Montgomery County Courthouse, NorCo DA John Morganelli provided a fairly extensive list of Josh Shapiro campaign contributors who ended up with deals in Montgomery County, where he is a County Commissioner.

Yesterday, from Harrisburg, he called for the State Ethics Commission to commence an investigation based on more recent discoveries. According to Morganelli, Shapiro "has used his position as a County Commissioner to not only reward his campaign contributors with lucrative county contracts, but he has also, in at least 2 county contracts, failed to disclose that he is using his position to steer lucrative county contracts to his own clients - vendors who are clients of his law firm- Stradley Ronon."

Morganelli claims that Shapiro may have engaged in a "conflict of interest," in violation of the state Ethics Act, because he voted to award to award lucrative contracts to PECO and Exelon, who happened to be his clients.

Here is an excerpt of Morganelli's remarks:

Josh Shapiro likes to lecture everyone about ethics and integrity. He brags about his so-called "integrity agenda " for Pennsylvania. He says that he will adopt a gift ban that will forbid an official from accepting even a free cup of coffee so as not to be influenced with respect to his public duties. He says he will lead by example. Yet, his rhetoric does not match his conduct. He runs around with ethics and integrity on his sleeve, but where is that when it comes to his own conduct? Shapiro wants to ban state officials from accepting a free cup of coffee, but at the same time, in Montgomery County, Josh Shapiro has no problem at all soliciting campaign contributions from special interests who he then awards lucrative county contracts, including the clients of his own law firm.

Blogger's Disclosure: I support John Morganelli in the AG race and have contributed to his campaign.

Updated 10 am: Common Cause of Pa Exec Director Barry Kauffman has told Pittburgh Tribune that Shapiro or any other elected official whose law firm benefits from a vote needs to make complete disclosure

John Morganelli - "What I'll Do as Attorney General"

In this brief video, John Morganelli explains why he should be the next Attorney Gen'l. For his part, Allegheny County DA Steve Zapalla is portraying himself in a TV spot running only in Philly as a champion of "Black Lives Matter." Montgomery County Comm'r Josh Shapiro touted an endorsement from Planned Parenthood.Senator Bob Casey, aka "Fillintheblank", has given his "strong" endorsement of Shpario.

Interestingly, Morganelli has denied working in concert with Zapalla to deny the nod to Shapiro. “I'm not going to blow $600,000 just to help somebody else, though it may end up that way,” he told Pittsburgh Tribune reporter Brad Bumstead.

In the final analysis, this may all be academic. Democrats allowed themselves to be played by Republicans concerning Kathleen Kane instead of forcefully demanding her resignation. Her trial is set to start in August and oh what a show that will be!  If that's delayed, Republicans who control the state house will work hard for her impeachment. Democrats will drown in a sea of corruption that includes state representatives, Mayors and the Attorney General. When they needed to call on her to step down, they didn't. The Republican nominee, most likely John Rafferty, will likely be the next Attorney General, no matter who Democrats choose.

I'd love to see Morganelli elected. There is no doubt in my mind that he'd restore morale and be an effective prosecutor.  But I fear this job is going to go to a politician.

(Blogger's Note: As a matter of full disclosure, I support John Morganelli and have contributed to his campaign.)

Morganelli Wants More Debates in AG Race

Pennsylvania's League of Women Voters is attempting to schedule a debate among the three Democratic candidates for Attorney General, but it seems that the only one who can make it is NorCo DA John Morganelli. The veteran prosecutor put his courtroom experience to good work in two previous encounters, and he's beginning to wonder whether self-described politician Josh Shapiro and Allegheny County DA Steve Zapalla are running scared. Shapiro just can't seem to squeeze it in his busy schedule, while Zapalla never bothered to respond.

"I will debate any place, anywhere, and any time," claims Morganelli.

In previous debates, Morganelli zeroed in pretty effectively on Shapiro's complete lack of experience and willingness to accept a large contribution from a charter school PAC while simultaneously claiming to endorse public education.

Quite frankly, I believe that Josh Shapiro is ducking any further debates, and will try to stall and run out the clock to primary election day. Josh Shapiro has been exposed in every forum we have had, and there is more to come and he knows that. Josh, let me say this-- there is NOTHING that you are doing that is more important than to face your opponents in a real debate. You have ducked the questions about your lack of experience and your hypocrisy when it comes to your lectures on integrity. Why are you afraid to engage in a real debate? Not a forum where you can give lofty speeches with no substance, but a real debate where you and I can have a real exchange

.Morganelli has appealed to Pa news agencies to host three debates "so the people of Pennsylvania can decide for themselves who is the most experienced person to be Pennsylvania's chief law enforcement officers."

Short-staffed newspapers will decline. But after the election is over, they will piously condemn the apathy among every day voters.

Full Disclosure: I have made a small contribution to John Morganelli's campaign. If I could make a big one, I would.