Is King of Sleazeball Politics Making a Comeback?

Political consultant Tom "Scissorhands" Severson is well known in Lehigh Valley politics. For decades, he was the undisputed King of Sleazeball Politics. Close friends with Northampton County John Morganelli, he eluded prosecution for years, thumbing his nose at campaign finance laws. His reign of terror suddenly came to an end when then Attorney General Tom Corbett stepped in and prosecuted the increasingly erratic politico. In a jury trial, Severson was convicted of disrupting a funeral mass with misdemeanor harassment and disorderly conduct aimed at one of his political foes, Ron Angle. He later pleaded guilty to filing bogus invoices and deceptive campaign practices.

Is he making a comeback?

Though supposedly retired, this convicted felon's name appeared among the beneficiaries of Bethlehem Mayoral candidate Bob Donchez' campaign expenses. And last week, he was in the audience at the Executive debate between John Callahan and John Brown. Is he making a comeback?

I think so, and I'll tell you why.

Brown's campaign mailers are littered with the same kind of negative slurs that regularly came from Severson's firm, Precision Marketing. In his finance report, Brown reports that his political consultant is Communications Concepts LLC.  But guess what? Tim Butler is identified as President, but he worked under Severson when Scissorhand's Precision Marketing, ruled the roost of mud slinging.And corporation records reveal that Communications Concepts and Precision Marketing just happen to share the same address.

Council candidate Peg Ferraro is also using Communications Concepts. .

Both Peg and the Brown camp adamantly deny any involvement with Severson. Brown apparently has never even heard of him. Severson is reported to have spent his time criticizing the job Tim Butler is doing. But it would be no surprise to me to learn that Communications Concepts is using him.

Severson Loses Bid For $1.2 Million From Senate GOP

Spring 2007. Easton Attorney Brian Monahan, running for District Judge, is unfairly and maliciously tarnished as an unethical lawyer who obstructed justice. In anonymous mailers, he's falsely accused of preventing "the prosecution of a heinous double murder." But it was not his opposing candidates who attacked him. It was political consultant Tom Severson, whose real problem with Monahan was that he was too good a lawyer, and one who dared beat him in a disturbing unemployment compensation case that exposed Severson's bizarre knife fetish. It made no difference to Severson that Monahan was, like him a Republican. It made no difference to Severson that Monahan, unlike him, did most of his political lawyering pro bono. Yesterday, thanks to a decision by a seven-judge Commonwealth Court panel, Severson lost his bid for $1.2 million in political consulting work from the State Senate GOP, after they stopped using him. The Court cites sovereign immunity. But Severson did it to himself.

Not too long after the Monahan smear, in December of that year, Severson disrupted a funeral mass at which the Council member Ron Angle was one of the congregants. Spying Angle, Severson stood up and went to work. "Fuck you!," he shouted in the middle of a Catholic church, "I'm going to kick your ass in the parking lot." He gave Angle the second finger salute and threatened an eighty year-old gentleman who asked him to knock it off.

After the funeral mass, Scissorhands Severson did tear off after Angle, but Ron was in his big-ass truck, waving good-bye as Severson chased after him like a barking dog.

That's when the state Attorney General started paying attention to Severson. Not only was the consultant prosecuted and convicted over the funeral fracas, but his dirty campaign tactics came under scrutiny. The King of Sleazeball Politics was charged and copped a plea to deceptive campaign finance reports.

That ended his career, although his name popped up recently in the Bob Donchez Mayoral race.

Severson's sleazy tactics ended up costing him his job with the state GOP caucus.

Sovereign immunity has a nice ring, but Severson lost out on that dough because he is an asshole.

Scissorhands Severson Pleads Guilty to Deceptive Campaign Practices

The AG's prosecution proves that even Pennsylvania's campaign finance laws have teeth.

Charles Dertinger Appears Before Grand Jury Investigating Deceptive Campaigns

Thanks to a friend who tipped me off, I already have my question picked out for Northampton County Council member Charles Dertinger at tonight's slate belt debate. Don't tell anybody.

"Hey Charles, what the hell were you doing in front of a statewide grand jury in Norristown yesterday? Why'd you bring a lawyer? Can you tell us about it?"

Senior Deputy AG E. Marc Costanzo is conducting a grand jury investigation of Northampton County deceptive campaign practices. Political consultant Tom "Scissorhands" Severson has already been bound over on ALL charges relating to deceptive campaign practices in Northampton County, but the preliminary hearing raised all sorts of questions about the involvement of Dertinger, Lamont McClure and Dem Party Boss Joe Long.

"Charles, Did you ever dance with Severson in the pale moonlight?

"Good day!"

Express Times: Why We Need to Pay Attention to Severson Prosecution

From Sunday's Express Times: "In the end, though, this prosecution is about fair elections, and that is why we should pay attention. One of the hallmarks of our election reporting laws is that we get to see, in standardized public filings, who's paying what to whom in a campaign, and who the big contributors are. And in the case of advertising, which candidate or party or special-interest group is behind the message. That's particularly important when it comes to attack ads. "

Ever Dance With the Devil in the Pale Moonlight?

Ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?

That's what the Joker would ask his prey before finishing them off. I wonder whether Senior Deputy AG E. Marc Costanzo poses similar questions to witnesses appearing in his grand jury investigation of Northampton County deceptive campaign practices. That grand jury, incidentally, is meeting somewhere today.

Ever dance with Severson in the pale moonlight?

During Monday's preliminary hearing at Dauphin County prison, Costanzo laid out a prosecution theory that hones in on a web of deceit - a conspiracy to keep the public in the dark about Severson's involvement in various political campaigns. Severson had told his staff that Democrats asked him to disguise his involvement in their campaigns, but the candidates called so far vociferously deny that. "Absolutely not," is how Bethlehem City Council Prez Bob Donchez responded to a question asking whether he had asked Severson to prepare bogus invoices. Costanzo calls them "unwitting" co-conspirators who unknowingly and innocently deceived the public. But what about those candidates who knew all about Severson's scheme to keep the public in the dark?

Ever dance with Severson in the pale moonlight?

Let's go back to 2003, when Paula Roscioli desperately wanted to trade in her Assistant DA's badge for a judge's black robe. Local Republicans got wind she was using Scissorhands Severson as her campaign consultant. In fact, her boss - DA John Morganelli - had just paid Severson $9,600 in dirty drug money for 20,000 newsletters. Naturally, those included portrait of Roscioli quadruple the size of other pictures.

When Express Times reporter Joe Carlson asked whether she was using Severson, Roscioli gave two answers. First, it would be a "poor strategic decision" to identify a consultant before being required to file campaign finance reports. Second, "I'm running my own campaign." Morganelli backed her up, denying that Severson's Precision Marketing was involved. "They're not allowed to do Democratic candidates. They can only do Republicans."

Were Roscioli and Morganelli dancing with Severson in the pale moonlight?

It sure looks that way. According to available campaign finance reports, Roscioli made seventeen payments to MJR Services, totalling $105,252.06. This is one of the shells Severson used to deceive the public concerning his involvement in political campaigns. Roscioli and Morganelli were obviously well aware that Severson's involvement in Democratic campaigns was quite controversial. Morganelli himself went along with paying his own MJR bills the previous year. They went along with a Severson scheme to hide his involvement from local Republicans. In the process, they deceived the public.

Fast forward from 2003 to 2007. LongDems desperately wanted to rid Northampton County Council of Ron Angle, once and for all.

Did LongDems start dancing with Severson in the pale moonlight, too?

In July, Severson began his dirty work with a push poll. Telephone calls from 484-548-6413 asked whether voters would be less likely to vote against Angle if they knew certain negative things about him, which were listed, one by one. Although this poll has been estimated to cost $3,000, its cost is listed nowhere in any campaign finance reports. But that telephone exchange has been used by Severson to conduct political polling and robo calls.

The next month, Charles Dertinger bought a postal permit for the Northampton County Democratic party, which was subsequently used by Severson for vicious smear mailers against Ron Angle and Peg Ferraro. They were also besieged by anonymous robocalls like this one from 484-548-6400 and 484-548-6413, the same number that had been used for the July push poll. It also is the same exchange Lamont McClure used for his robo calls. His consultant? Tom Severson.

In October, Lamont McClure handed Steve Barron, who was then Northampton County Democratic Party Treasurer, a $12,000 bill from Political Strategies, another shell Severson used to deceive the public concerning his involvement in political campaigns. McClure provided detailed instructions about how that bill was to be paid and how in-kind contributions were to be noted. But when Barron asked McClure to identify Political Strategies, all Lamont would say was that it is a consulting company. Barron later reviewed bank statements, and learned that checks to Political Strategies were being deposited by Severson's Precision Marketing.

Bossman Joe Long was similarly secretive about Political Strategies and the smear campaign being engineered against Angle and Ferraro. In fact, when The Morning Call condemned the anonymous robocalls, Long quickly responded with his typical threats in a letter to the editor. "This borders on libel and slander," he huffed. "[T]o my knowledge, the Northampton County Democratic Party has not made any so-called negative robocalls."

Long was clearly trying to hide Severson's involvement in the failed smear campaign against Angle and Ferraro. Long, McClure and Dertinger were clearly dancing with Severson in the pale moonlight, conspiring to keep the public in the dark.

Ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight? It sure looks like Deputy AG Costanzo will be posing that question to Roscioli, Morganelli, Long, McClure and Dertinger.

Severson's Mudslinging & Deception Outlined

Dauphin County Prison was the setting for today's preliminary hearing on the Attorney General's deceptive campaign practices prosecution against political consultant Tom "Scissorhands" Severson. As I've already told you, ALL charges were bound over for trial by District Judge Steven M. Semic. That includes 55 counts of what The Express Times calls "fraud and deception."

It was a strange place for a hearing. Peering through a doorway, I could easily see the bars of a county jail. Unlike any local magistrate, this judge had a guard and two clerks sit with him throughout the five-hour hearing. Eleven witnesses were examined by Senior Deputy AG Mark Constanzo, accompanied by six agents and boxes full of files. Prominent Defense Attorney George Heitczman represented Severson, who sat quietly, even though Ron Angle was right behind him.

(1) Agent Kevin Carney, who has worked in law enforcement for about a gazillion years, laid out the background concerning Severson's anonymous smear campaign against Brian Monahan. In 2007, when Monahan ran for magistrate, Severson sent out three mailers slamming him. None of them identified Severson as the person who paid for these ads. Carney also testified to a "John Doe" independent expenditure report, which was filed after the election.

(2) Priscilla Jroski, a notary for thirty-five years and legal secretary with Bethlehem law firm Leeson & Leeson, described seeing Severson sign a document she was asked to notarize. Instead of seeing Severson''s signature, the name "John Doe" was scrawled on an independent expenditure report. She notarized the document after being assured "It's OK" by Attorney Joe Leeson. But in her notary journal, she noted that Severson had signed the document as John Doe.

(3) Cheryl Dorschutz is a gum-chewing graphic designer employed at Severson's Precision marketing. She prepared the anonymous mailers slamming Monahan, using copy supplied by Severson. Severson told her he had talked to a lawyer and was allowed to send anonymous mailers. He also told her he had permission from Pat Vulcano to use his bulk mailing permit.

(4) Mary Lou Yarnell prepares the bills at Severson's Precision Marketing. He paid her cash for the anti-Monahan mailers and she put the money in petty cash. There is no record that the invoice was paid.

Yarnell also describes Severson's practice of using other companies to bill clients for his work. He supplied her with stationary from an outfit called Political Strategies, a California corporation, and had invoices for Severson's services sent to Democrats under that letterhead. When she receives checks made out to Political Strategies, she stamps them for deposit in Precision Marketing's account.

At Severson's direction, she instructed then state rep. candidate Tony Rybak to pay what he owed Severson to Printex, a company owed money by Severson for work involving other candidates.

(5) Pat Vulcano is the owner of the bulk mailing permit used to slime Monahan. He told a grand jury that Severson had denied using his permit, but now he's singing a different tune. He now claims that Severson admitted to him that he used his bulk mailing permit. He explained he suffers from a sleep disorder and that's why he gave the grand jury a different story. Vulcano's wife, Sandy, must have the same disorder. She had to change her story, too, and did so in a letter to the AG. I believe this disorder is called fibberitis.

Vulcano now claims Severson had "carte blanche" to use his permit and "didn't have a problem" with the sleaze mailers directed at Monahan. When he spoke, he denied knowing who had used the permit and condemned the sleaze campaign. He must have been suffering from fibberitis when he spoke to me, too.

(6) Bethlehem City Council Prez Bob Donchez has been using Severson since 1995, and acknowledged paying Severson bills on MJR and Political Strategies letterheads. He assumed these were other Severson companies. He emphatically denied ever asking Severson to bill him in any special way that would make it difficult for the public to know that Severson was running his campaigns.

(7) Steve Goodsoozian, Judge Jack Panella's campaign treasurer, acknowledges paying Severson invoices from companies like MJR and Political Strategies, thinking they were Severson companies. Like Donchez, he denies that he or anyone in Judge Panella's committee ever asked Severson to bill him in any way that disguised Severson's involvement.

(8) Beverly Rossetti happens to own a small mail house known as MJR Services. She actually leases space from Severson and runs his mailroom, but when he asked her to use her company as a front for some of his billing, she told him she'd have to get back to him. Then she got a few checks made out to MJR, which were delivered to her home in Phillipsburg. She gave them to Severson and asked him to stop billing in her company's name. But those checks kept coming. She eventually stopped handing them over. "I was upset. I just felt a little used. The whole thing was distasteful to me."

Call me cRaZy, but I have a feeling that Rossetti's lease with Severson has the shelf life of a loaf of bread at the beach.

(9) Northampton County Controller Steve Barron really lawyered up for his appearance. He was flanked by two attorneys as he walked into the courtroom. He was asked about his pre-Controller activities, when he was Treasurer for the local Dems. He took in the bills and donations, made deposits, paid the bills and filed campaign finance reports.

At one point in '07, Lamont McClure gave him a $12,000 bill from Political Strategies. McClure told him to pay what he could and record the rest as debt. So Barron, who had no idea that Political Strategies was connected to Severson, sent two checks to California. When he later looked at the bank statements, he noticed those checks were endorsed and deposited by Severson's Precision Marketing. He called party bossman Joe Long, but got no explanation.

(Blogger's Note: McClure's connection to Severson's work resulted in a subpoeana being sent to McClure late last week. Because McClure had a scheduling conflict, he was released from the subpoena. But knowledge of his deep involvement has only recently come to light.)

10) Anthony Rybak did himself no favors in his testimony. He acknowledged paying Severson's bills directly to Printex, assuming that was one of Severson's spinoffs. But he had no explanation for his failure to itemize phone calls and campaign signs. He never reported those expenditures. His mommy financed his unsuccessful campaign for the state house in 2006.

11) Precision Marketing's Tim Butler is Severson's right hand man. As he delicately put it, "I am number two." He proceeded to prove that point by being unable to recall any knowledge of any specifics about anything.

George Heitzman gave a detailed closing argument involving criminal intent and the Constitution. AG Mark Constanzo's basic reply? "Hey, we're the Commonwealth." Severson will face a jury.

Severson Bound Over on All Charges

After a preliminary hearing featuring nine different witnesses, political consultant Tom "Scissorhands" Severson was today bound over on ALL charges relating to deceptive campaign practices in Northampton County. These include 12 third-degree felony counts of tampering with public records or information; 12 second-degree misdemeanor counts of false swearing, 12 third-degree misdemeanor counts of false swearing, 12 second-degree misdemeanor counts of unsworn falsification to authorities and five third-degree felony counts of criminal conspiracy. He is also charged with two misdemeanors related to the Election Code.

I'll have a detailed report tomorrow. For now, I'll leave you with the reaction of Northampton County Bulldog Ron Angle, who attended today's hearing at Dauphin County Prison.

Scissorhands Severson' Preliminary Hearing Today

I'll be making a road trip to Harrisburg today. Somewhere in the bowels of Dauphin County's Courthouse, there will be a preliminary hearing for deceptive campaign practices filed against political consultant Tom "Scissorhands" Severson.

A grand jury continues to investigate sleaze campaigns in Northampton County, having met last week. It appears this investigation includes more than Severson. An interesting array of witnesses is under subpoena today. They include Northampton County Controller Steve Barron, Northampton County Dem party boss Joe Long and Northampton County Council member Lamont McClure.

I'll have the details as they develop.

Scissorhands Severson' Preliminary Hearing Scheduled

Tom "Scissorhands" Severson, political consultant to the Joe Long Dems, is being prosecuted by the Pennsylvania Attorney General for deceptive campaign practices that extend from anonymous mailers to invoices designed to disguise his involvement on behalf of different candidates.

Severson's preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 13. But instead of being around here, it's in Harrisburg before Dauphin County Magistrate Marsha Stewart. A flurry of subpoenas has spread among Commonwealth witnesses. The burden of proof at a preliminary hearing is very low, but it's a good opportunity to see and hear some of the witnesses.

Sounds like a road trip for me.

Scissorhands' LV Proteges Fare Poorly

LV candidates who used campaign maven Tom "Scissorhands" Severson fared poorly in Tuesday's election.

1) Judicial candidate Jim Narlesky. - Finance records reveal payments to Severson firm Precision Marketing totalling $48,849. Jim, in his third try for judge, missed getting on either ballot.

2) Magisterial candidate Jackie Taschner. - She paid Precision Marketing $7,666. She got on the Republican ballot, but missed on the Democratic side.

3) Bethlehem City Council Candidate Joe Leeson. - He paid Serverson's firm $1,674. Despite being an incumbent, he finished fifth out of six candidates for just four openings.

4) Lehigh County Comm'r Candidate Mark Prinzinger. - According to his campaign finance report, he paid Severson's Precision Marketing at least $1828.50. This sum does not include the cost of a negative mailer on the weekend before election. He went down in flames to Dr. Percy Dougherty, 58% to 42%.

Severson Prosecution an Indictment of Joe Long Dems

In the 2007 Nothampton County Council races, campaign maven Tom "Scissorhands" Severson was a pitbull for the Joe Long Dems. After proving his worth with his vicious, anonymous smear campaign against Attorney Brian Monahan, he was unleashed to go after Ron Angle and Peg Ferraro. He bombarded voters with a steady stream of smear mailers and sleazy anonymous robo calls. But when it was all over, Angle and Ferraro were victorious and the Joe Long Dems owed Severson about $9,000. They still owe him $6,586.45.

Severson may be the Defendant, but yesterday's charges are really an indictment of Northampton County Democratic chair Joe Long and the cronies who surround him. This is what happens when all decisions are made in some smoke-filled back room. Instead of embracing a county executive who wants to restore integrity to local government, Long allies himself with someone who skirts election laws.

Is this the change Obama talked about?

In Northampton County Exec John Stoffa's request that Long step down, he specifically condemned

"* your silence in the face of such activities as negative and misleading robocalling as well as anonymous mailings which violate Pennsylvania Campaign Law; something good Democrats never support and former leaders such as Marty Bechtel and Gene Hartzell would never have condoned;"

* your ill-advised use of a political consultant now under investigation by the state Attorney General's office."

Instead of stepping down, Long and his cronies endorsed Ann McHale, Stoffa's opponent for county executive. He wants to replace integrity with someone who winks at election hijinks, as McHale did when goons stole and blocked over 600 Stoffa campaign signs.

Is this change we can believe in?

For those of you unfamiliar with Severson or his connection to Long, let me clue you in.

Who is Tom Severson?

Severson, a Pen Argyl resident, uses at least three different corporations for political campaigns. He usually operates under the corporate umbrella of Precision Marketing, Inc., where he is listed as company prez. Between 2000 and 2007, that company has collected $9.9 million from candidates seeking state offices.

But when Severson wants to stay under the radar, or is working for Dems, he's used MJR Services, Inc., a New Jersey corporation whose Pa. address just happens to be where Precision Marketing is located. MJR collected $281,000 from state office hopefuls between 2000 and 2007. DA John Morganelli and Judge Roscioli are part of this gaggle.

Severson also uses Political Strategies, Inc., a California corporation. Although it's not even registered in Pennsylvania, state senator Lisa Boscola paid that outfit $43,659.65 in 2006. Finance reports filed by local candidates indicate this California corporation just happens to have the same address as Precision Marketing! Since 2000, the total amount paid to this business, in state races, is $170,522.

This total figure - $10.35 million over 7 years - does not include payments to other companies I know nothing about, or payments made in federal and local races. And it only reflects payments that are on the radar screen.

Severson's History

The phrase, "King of Sleazeball Politics," is used often to describe Severson. It first appeared in a 1991 Morning Call story. Severson got that title the old-fashioned way - he earned it. Let's review some of his campaigns.

In 1989, county exec hopeful Jerry Seyfried saw his lead dwindle as anonymous telephone calls, made in the waning days of the campaign, warned voters that Seyfried had accepted money from the owner of a local landfill. DA Don Corriere, challenged by Morganelli, complained they actually used callers who disguised themselves as state ethics commission investigators. Seyfried won. Barely. Corriere went down.

Severson also plays on prejudice. When Len Gruppo was running for the state senate in 1998, Severson distributed an anti-welfare campaign mailer containing a photo of mostly black applicants, standing in line, creating the false impression that most welfare recipients are black.

In 2003, Severson's Precision Marketing was paid $9,600 in public money by DA John Morganelli's Drug Task Force to distribute 20,000 "informational" mailers. They included a large photograph of Paula Roscioli, four times the size of other staffers. She just happened to be running for judge at the time. DA Morganelli assured the Express Times (4/9/03) that Precision Marketing was not doing Roscioli's campaign. While technically correct, Severson was still running the show. He just used another company. And the idea of using taxpayer funds to promote candidates was pushed again by Severson in Spring '08. Bucks County commissioners paid him $67,000 in taxpayer money for a thinly disguised campaign ad.

When Joe Brennan was in a four-way dogfight to capture the Democratic nomination for a state rep seat, he was assailed by three mailers, some of which falsely portrayed him behind bars. After turning over a few rocks, Tom Severson ran out. Brennan's opponent falsely claimed that, since he was never charged for Severson's services, he had no obligation to report this in-kind contribution. To this day, the in-kind contribution appears nowhere on any campaign finance report.

These are just a few examples of Severson's modus operand! - anonymous and misleading calls, appeals to prejudice, drug task force money to promote a candidate, misleading mailers and flying below the radar of our disclosure laws. As disgusting as these tactics sound, Severson has become rich using them.

Severson's Reputation Among Local Leaders

Former Norco GOP chair Charlie Roberts (1994): "He's working both sides of the fence. ... I don't trust him. ... He's done more to hurt this party than anyone. ... "How can he work for Seyfried and Ferraro in the same election? How is working for Seyfried going to do anything but hurt Ferraro's chances? Tom Severson works for his pocketbook. I work for the Republican Party."

Former Norco GOP Chair Larry Kisslinger (1991): "He did not handle his affairs with me in an honest way 99-1/2 percent of the time. ... I hope he makes $1 million. I hope he's comforted with the money surrounding him."

Former Norco Councilman Jim Hemstreet (1991): "If telephone calls are being made ... you have a right to know who you're talking to, what they're paid. ... That is really deceptive campaigning. It's like turning your campaign over to a hired gun."

Norco Judge Emil Giordano (1994): "I never heard anything good about the guy. ... It's sleazeball politics, and he's the leader of the pack."

Morning Call columnist Don Russo (1994, then a member of the GOP): "Severson basically goes to the candidate with the money."

District Attorney John Morganelli (1994): "I went to him because I heard he was the best. I wanted to hire the best person to do the job. I didn't care what party he was. The party thing didn't bother me, and I don't think it bothered Mr. Severson. He's staying with me."

The Anti-Monahan Sleaze

Here's some of what former Northampton County Republican Chair Bob Kilbanks has said.

"This all began during the primary cycle when some very ugfy flyers were sent out against a local District Justice candidate. They had no disclaimer, which is required by Pennsylvania's state election laws on every campaign piece to inform the public about the source of any political information that they receive. There were accusations flying all over Northampton County as to who had sent the three mailers. The mailing permit was traced to a person [Pat Vulcanol who said he had no knowledge of its use. An examination of the paperwork at the Post Office yielded nothing because the signature was unreadable. At that time, local blogger Bernie O'Hare presented the situation to District Attorney Morganelli. Mr. Morganelli told Mr. O'Hare that the matter, as he saw it, did not rise to a prosecutable level. He felt that there was case precedent from Ohio [Mclntyre v. Ohio Ejections Comm'nl that made this allowable under the First Amendment. A few days later, and under question of lawful filing date, an independent financial report was filed at the Voter Registration office under the name of 'John Doe.'

"The report arrived complete with the Ohio decision attached to it and a notarization for a 'John Doe.' The Notary works in the offices of a local politically-connected attorney. [This attorney just happens to be Morganelli's campaign treasurer, Jay Leeson]."

Severson's "John Doe" report, of course, is a sham. He clearly paid more than $500 to send these mailers about a week before the election, but failed to report this expenditure within 24 hours as required by our campaign finance laws. Three mass mailings cost much more than the $861 claimed, and those payments had to be made before the primary, because that's when they were mailed.

How could Leeson's notary, a secretary in his office, acknowledge an anonymous signature? Because he tells her to do so. But a notary exists to identify the person appearing before her, not obscure that person. She must have personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence in the form of a driver's license or other form of identification.

Severson Admits Anonymous Campaign Against Monahan

Not long after the mailings went out, I talked to District Attorney John Morganelli. I told him he could send a detective with Pat Vulcano, the bulk mail permit holder, and get all the records for the bulk mail permit. That way we'd know how much was paid for these three mailings and who sent them.

"I'm not going to do that."

"Why not?"

"I already know who sent those mailers. It's Severson."

The Dirty Politics Continue - July '07

In July 2007, Severson started a push poll against Angle. Telephone calls from 484-548-6413 asked whether voters would be less likely to vote against Angle if they knew certain negative things about him, which were listed, one by one. Although this poll has been estimated to cost $3,000, its cost is listed nowhere in any of the campaign finance reports listed by Angle's opponent, John Maher, or the Northampton County Democratic party. That telephone exchange has been used by Severson to conduct political polling and robo calls.

The General Election Against Angle and Ferraro.

According to Kilbanks, "Our fears were realized in this past election cycle as unattributed, and very nasty, smear phone calls, whether or not they are considered 'legal,' invaded homes across Northampton County. All of the calls traced back to one phone number [actually, it's two phone numbers - 484-548-6400 and 484-548-64131 that [were] listed as 'not working,' but ownership was traced to a data management corporation in King of Prussia that does robo-calls."

Amazingly, these are the same phone numbers used to do the push polling against Angle in July. The number 484-548-6413 shows up as MCS Industries on Caller ID, and is also the number Lamont McClure used for his robocalls. His campaign consultant? Tom Severson.

Mailings with content identical to these anonymous robocalls were posted with the Northampton County Democratic Committee's bulk mail permit. Lamont McClure, Tony Branco, John Maher and the local Democratic party were obviously using Severson. Against Angle alone, there were twelve negative mailers (estimated cost - $36,000) and twenty-one anonymous robocalls (estimated cost - $21,000). Against Peg Ferraro, there are at least four negative mailers (countywide cost - $20,000) and ten anonymous robocalls ($10,000). The total amount of money estimates to be spent, just on the negative campaign, is $87,000.00.

Campaign finance reports filed by the opponents to Angle and Ferarro, as well as the local Democratic party, reveal much smaller sums. They only report spending and indebting themselves in the total amount of $54,000.00. These reports are shams and do not reflect the total amount of money being spent.

In addition to an obvious funding disparity, there are the following facts: First, a former Severson employee acknowledges that he has witnessed Severson making large cash deposits at banks other than those where his businesses are located; Second, checks that supposedly were being paid to Political Strategies, a California corporation, were in fact being deposited with Precision Marketing; and Third, there is a transcript claiming Severson forged names to campaign materials on behalf of MJR.

Other Campaign Violations in Other Counties

Severson's name has also been associated with anonymous mailers in a campaign over a referendum in Lower Macungie Township and in various Bucks County races for the GOP.

Severson's Erratic Behavior.

Severson's erratic behavior has already been demonstrated in an unemployment compensation case, where there was testimony about him making switchblade knives, threatening to kill and stab people, and threatening one of his own employees. In addition, he recently disrupted a funeral service simply because he saw Ron Angle in the crowd. He was convicted of criminal harassment in that funeral fracas.

Sources:

Precision Marketing Corporate records:

$9.9 MM paid to Precision marketing since 2000 by candidates seeking state office:

MJR Services, Inc. corporate records:

Money paid to MJR by state candidates:

Political Strategies, Inc. corp. records:

Money paid to Political Strategies by state candidates:

Elections Code:

Anonymous mailers directed against magisterial candidate Brian Monahan

O'Hare email to DA Morganelli

John Doe Independent Expenditure report

Severson admits he is behind Monahan smear

The Monahan mudslinging

Notes about 1-484-548-6413

Notes about 1-484-548-6400

Campaign finance reports filed by Northampton County candidates in 2007 election

robocall recording

Anti-Angle mailers

Severson disrupts funeral services

Negative campaign against state rep. Joe Brennan engineered by Severson

Tom Severson's profitable world of sleaze politics

Unemployment compensation case against Severson - claimant transcript

Unemployment compensation case against Severson - findings of fact

AG Corbett Prosecutes Sleaze Consultant Severson

Earlier this week, I told you that Tom "Scissorhands" Severson, political consultant to the Joe Long Dems, would be indicted today. Scissorhands loved sending mailers that falsely depict various candidates behind bars. Now I get to do it to him! AG Tom Corbett has a detailed news release, reproduced below.

"HARRISBURG - A Northampton County political consultant has been charged today by agents of the Attorney General's Office for filing fraudulent campaign expense reports and submitting deceptive invoices to his clients.

"Attorney General Tom Corbett identified the defendant as Thomas E. Severson, 63, 901 East Walnut Ave., Pen Argyl, Northampton County. Severson is the owner of Precision Marketing Inc., 2906 William Penn Highway, Easton, Northampton County.

"Corbett said his office initiated the investigation based on a conflict of interest referral from Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli who had hired Severson as his political consultant.

John Doe Campaign Finance Report

"The Attorney General's investigation began with a probe into anonymous negative campaign mailings that were directed against Brian Monahan, a candidate for Northampton County Magisterial District Judge in the 2007 Primary Election.

"An independent expenditure report was filed in June of 2007 in Northampton County by a "John Doe." The expenditure report specified that John Doe paid $861 on May 2, 2007, to Severson's political consulting company, Precision Marketing Inc. for campaign mailings.

"Attorney General agents reviewed Severson's business and financial records and found that between May 4 and May 10, 2007, Severson paid for postage and mailed negative campaign advertisements against Monahan.

"The Monahan mailings did not contain an attribution clause, which is required by law and indicates who, or what entity, paid for the advertisement.

"The charges state that the notary public who notarized the John Doe campaign expense report told agents that Severson signed the document in her presence as John Doe.

Deceptive Campaign Companies

"The investigation also found that Severson sent deceptive invoices to some of his Democratic clients. Severson allegedly employed this tactic because he claimed that these clients did not want the name of his company Precision Marketing Inc. to appear on their campaign expense reports.

"The charges state that Severson used three different business names in the deceptive invoices: Political Strategies Inc., Santa Monica, Calif.; Printex, a Lehigh Valley printing company and MJR Services Inc., with an address in Phillipsburg, NJ.

"The investigation found that Political Strategies Inc. is essentially a front company for Precision Marketing Inc. Political Strategies Inc. has no employees, no actual building and no business is conducted in California. Checks mailed to Political Strategies Inc. in California were picked up by a Severson relative living there and mailed to Severson.

"The charges state that MJR Services Inc. is a small mail house company that rents space from Severson's company.

Deceptive Campaign Invoices

"The charges state that the campaign of Anthony Rybak, who ran for state representative for the 133rd district in 2006, hired Severson as a political consultant. Rybak's campaign allegedly was directed by Severson to make all checks out to Printex.

"Rybak's campaign filed two campaign expense reports in 2006 indicating that the campaign work, which included mailings, printed materials and phone calls for the campaign was done by Printex, when in fact it was done by Severson.

"The Northampton County Democratic Committee received invoices from Political Strategies Inc. in 2007 for phones, printing and campaign services and sent two separate payments. The Democratic Committee later filed a 2007 campaign expense report that listed Political Strategies Inc.

"The charges state that in 2003 Severson sent invoices to the campaign of Robert Donchez, who was a candidate for city council in the city of Bethlehem, from MJR Services Inc.

"The Donchez campaign received four invoices from MJR Services Inc. and one invoice from Political Strategies Inc. In 2003, Donchez' campaign filed three separate campaign expense reports listing services from Severson as either from MJR Services Inc. or Political Strategies Inc.

"The charges also state that in 2003 the Committee to Elect Judge Panella to Superior Court, received invoices from Severson for MJR Services Inc. and Political Strategies Inc. Judge Panella's campaign filed five campaign expense reports that listed the deceptive invoices from Severson.

"There is no information from the campaigns or candidates to indicate that they specifically directed Severson to send them deceptive addresses.

"Corbett explained that the underlying principle of campaign expense reports is openness and transparency and by sending his clients deceptive invoices, Severson's actions caused his involvement with their campaigns to be hidden from the public.

"Severson surrendered before Harrisburg Magisterial District Judge Marsha C. Stewart and was preliminarily arraigned and released on $100,000 recognizance bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday, May 25.

"Severson will be prosecuted in Dauphin County by Senior Deputy Attorney General E. Marc Costanzo of the Attorney General's Public Corruption Unit.

"Severson is charged with 12 third-degree felony counts of tampering with public records or information; 12 second-degree misdemeanor counts of false swearing, 12 third-degree misdemeanor counts of false swearing, 12 second-degree misdemeanor counts of unsworn falsification to authorities and five third-degree felony counts of criminal conspiracy. He is also charged with one misdemeanor count of violation of the Election Code related to the Monahan negative campaign mailings and one misdemeanor count of violation of the Election Code related to reporting by candidate and political committees and other persons for the John Doe report.

"(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.)"

Scissorhands Severson to be Indicted on Thursday

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

It seems like only yesterday that campaign maven Tom "Scissorhands" Severson was convicted of criminal harassment and misdemeanor disorderly conduct during a Pen Argyl funeral mass, in which he bizarrely launched into several profanity-laced tirades against Northampton County Council member Ron Angle. Now, the other shoe is ready to drop.

Severson will be indicted by a statewide grand jury on Thursday. According to two anonymous sources who have asked to remain anonymous, he will be charged with election law violations as a result of several anonymous mailers he circulated to smear Brain Monahan in a Northampton County magistrate's race nearly two years ago. Immediately after that campaign, the Joe Long Democrats hired Severson to launch a series of sleaze mailers and anonymous robo calls against Ron Angle and Peg Ferraro, who were running for Northampton County Council. Angle and Ferraro were easily elected and Northampton County Democrats still owe Severson $6,586.45.

No matter how you slice it, this indictment should be an embarrassment to the Joe Long Democrats.

Two years ago, Brian Monahan, a Republican lawyer, was in a three-way battle for magistrate with designer Cindy Greene, another Republican, and Easton councilman Dan Corpora, a Democrat.

About a week before the election, the bombs started dropping, not from the sky, but from mailboxes. In three massive and anonymous mailings, Monahan was unfairly and maliciously tarnished as an unethical lawyer who obstructs justice. He was falsely accused of preventing "the prosecution of a heinous double murder."

These unsigned mailers violate The Elections Code.

* A person who pays for a direct mailing designed to influence an election must "clearly and conspicuously" identify himself. The author can be anonymous, but the person who pays must disclose.

* Any person who spends more than $100 to advocate the defeat of a clearly identified candidate, is subject to the same reporting requirements as any candidate or committee.

* Any person making an independent expenditure of $500 or more after the final pre-election report, must report that expenditure within 24 hours.

* Violating these laws is a misdemeanor that can get you two years in Northampton County's overcrowded slammer, and District Attorney John Morganelli or Attorney General Tom Corbett has full authority to prosecute.

These smear tactics affected the candidates. In fact, after the race was over, Greene filed her own expense report late. "Why file anything? A lot of people don't even want to vote anymore. I can guarantee you I don't get any special privileges. I am going to pay a late fee, but some people are above the law."

This prosecution should prove to Cindy and everyone else that no one, not even Scissorhands Severson, is above the law.

Severson Indictment Likely?

Anyone witnessing Deputy AG Marc Constanzo's intense cross-examination of political consultant Tom "Scissorhands" Severson on Monday, would quickly realize that this prosecutor's interest extends beyond the FUs hurled in the direction of the Northampton County Bulldog, Ron Angle. He had so many questions about the campaign guru's anonymous sleaze mailers and robo calls that Express Times reporter Sarah Cassi penned a separate account about the state investigation into Severson's practices.

I have since been informed that Severson, through his attorney, has been warned that an elections laws indictment is both likely and imminent.

DA John Morganelli's Monster - Scissorhands Severson

In a prosecutor's world of grisly murders and major drug busts, a disorderly conduct and harassment conviction must seem like small potatoes. But a Senior Deputy Attorney General was willing to prepare for and conduct both a preliminary hearing and jury trial to achieve precisely that result yesterday against political consultant Tom "Scissorhands" Severson. He was willing to make the long haul up and down the turnpike for two days straight. So was a senior judge from Chester County. Why?

Perhaps to prove a point - no one is above the law.

For years, Severson has made our electoral system a mockery. He has thumbed his nose at nearly every disclosure requirement. By his own admission, this is the largest political consultant in the state. He's pretty much had a free ride, too. The District Attorney charged with the responsibility of enforcing our elections laws - John Morganelli - is a big Severson pal and customer. In fact, after yesterday's guilty verdict, the Northampton County District Attorney amazingly assumed the role of defense attorney. Severson's trial attorney, George Heitczman, had no comment. But Morganelli did his best to downplay the reality that his friend and political consultant is now a criminal.

Severson and Morganelli go back at least to 1991, when Severson ran John's campaign against then incumbent DA Don Corriere. That race, incidentally, turned nasty.

Morganelli has continued to use Severson, even after Scissorhands was charged in the funeral fracas. He stuck by Tom even after it became known that Severson was the subject of a statewide grand jury. He has even enlisted Severson's services for political allies seeking office. These include former first assistant DA Paula Roscioli, who used Severson's services when she ran for judge, and won.

In his seventeen years as DA, I can't think of a single elections law prosecution. Knowingly or not, he has given Severson a green light to run wild. In the process, he has created a monster.

In 2001, Moore Township resident Robert Welsh was the victim of a defamatory anonymous mailer when he sought public office. Morganelli told him his hands were tied. "[I]t is perfectly permissible for any citizen to distribute anonymous literature to voters." He refused to investigate.

Under Morganelli's tortured interpretation of our election laws, there's no need to place a disclaimer on a campaign mailer. If that is so, there's really no reason to file campaign finance reports at all. Why bother?

Ironically, Morganelli was all over AG Corbett when the Virginia-based Center for Individual Freedom (CFI) began a "public education" effort obviously designed to promote a candidate for the state high court. He demanded an injunction to force CFI to file a campaign finance report, the only remedy that would prevent irreparable harm in the closing days before the election.

But amazingly, Morganelli refused to lift a finger when local political consultant Tom Severson began an anonymous sleaze campaign against local magisterial candidate Brian Monahan in Spring '08. He remained silent in July '08, when Severson started a push poll against county councilman Ron Angle, even though that expense appears nowhere on any campaign finance report, even as an in-kind corporate contribution. When anonymous robo calls began in earnest against council candidates Angle and Peg Ferraro, Morganelli was MIA, even though campaign finance reports fail to reflect the amount of money being spent.

John properly feels it would be a conflict to investigate Severson. But whenever he has referred a question to the state AG, it has always been a half-hearted request at best that frames the facts in a light favorable to Severson. It has been a recipe for disaster in local Lehigh Valley races.

So yesterday's verdict was meaningful. Disorderly conduct and misdemeanor harassment are criminal offenses. There is no Severson exception in the Crimes Code. Victims of those offenses certainly have a little more peace of mind when those offenses are prosecuted.

Whether it's a political consultant in the pocket of a local DA or a cop who beats his wife, all of us are entitled to a criminal justice system in which nobody is above the law.

Severson Guilty in Mixed Verdict

A Northampton County jury has just returned a mixed verdict against political consultant Tom "Scissorhands" Severson. While exonerating him of terroristic threats and simple assault, the jury found the campaign maven guilty of harassment as a misdemeanor. Chester County Senior Judge Charles Smith also convicted Severson of summary disorderly conduct.

Correction: When I originally posted this report, I mixed up the harassment and disorderly charges. I have fixed my error and will wear a woolsack for the next day as my penance.

Requiem For Scissorhands Severson

Last time I heard people toss around "Fuck you" this much, I was sitting in a Northampton County Council meeting room. Senior Deputy Attorney General E. Marc Constanzo and barrister George Heitczman clearly relished an excuse to throw that phrase around quite a bit yesterday. Except they got to do it inside a courtroom, flanked by stern deputy sheriffs who would gun down anyone who might take exception. Sure beats "res ipsa loquitor" for dramatic effect.

As you may have guessed, when people start shouting "Fuck you," even in a courtroom, Ron Angle is nearby. And so it was yesterday, as a jury trial got underway against political consultant Tom "Scissorhands" Severson. It was a little tough picking a jury because at least eight potential jurors claimed they could not be fair to Ron. "That's about average," quipped Ron.

Severson's repeated "Fuck yous" was all the rage yesterday. Instead of using that phrase in a bar or even a courtroom, the King of Sleazeball Politics was shouting that phrase during the middle of a Requiem Mass.

"Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them."

Scissorhands Response: "Fuck you."

"Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant them rest, eternal."

Scissorhands Response: "Fuck you."

While Severson's wife was reading Scripture in front of the congregation, Scissorhands was menacing Angle, the Northampton County Bulldog, in the sinners' section at the back of the church. Ron's big mistake? He had attended Gemma Turtzo's funeral mass. She and her husband were forty-year friends. He was paying his respects. How dare he!

Seated next to Ron was prissy former Northampton County Council member Mary Ensslin, who adamantly told the jury Ron is "not a friend." As Ensslin tells it, Severson walked into the church after the mass had already started, grabbed a pew in front of them, and sat down. He then turned around and apparently recognized Angle. He got up, turned around, made an aggressive arm gesture and told Angle, "We're going to settle this."

Angle, who has never even met Severson, told Ensslin "Must be a happy constituent."

Later, Severson stood up again, turned around to Angle and said, "I'm going to stick this in you. We're going to end this." He put his hand in his pocket, suggesting he had a knife.

Angle asked Ensslin, "Who is that guy?"

"That's Mr. Severson."

Ensslin went on to claim that, as the mass was ending, Angle decided to leave the church early to avoid a confrontation. When Severson realized what had happened, he actually lunged at Ensslin, screaming "If you ever run for office again, I'll destroy you." Terrified, she escaped into the arms of Judge Leonard Zito, who was also attending the mass.

Pen Argyl Officer Jonathan Hoadley and Special Agent Michael Fuller told the jury that Severson actually admitted (1) giving Angle the finger, (2) multiple "Fuck yous"; and (3) telling Angle he "would get his." Severson even intimidated an elderly gentleman, Ed Mugavero, who had asked him to knock it off, especially after Severson took a cell phone call from his daughter in the middle of the Requiem.

Angle, when he took the stand, corroborated much of what Ensslin had said. Unlike Ensslin, he thought he saw a knife in Severson's pocket. He explained that when he left the church for his truck, he could see Severson from his rear view mirror "like a wild man flailing his hands" in the parking lot. Defense attorney George Heitczman tried to suggest that Angle had somehow provoked Severson by nodding "Hello" to him in the church. Angle explained that, as an elected official, he often says "Hello" to people he does not know. "If I see someone, I say 'hello.' It's the courteous thing to do."

After Angle was finished, so was Deputy AG Constanzo, who kept his case short and sweet. This was a surprise to defense attorney Heitczman, who had to scramble to get his witnesses together. He called two elderly gentleman and a pleasant older woman who could not even hear the oath as it was being administered to them. Obviously deaf, they heard nothing and actually sat in the front of the church.

The defense also called the funeral director, who acknowledged some sort of ruckus. He "heard two men speaking loudly - could hear it while a reading was going on." Not exactly helpful to the defense.

Severson's wife also testified. Naturally, she heard nothing.

Then Heitczman made the mistake of putting Severson on the stand, and Constanzo was like a kid in a candy shop, asking all sorts of questions about Severson's business practices. You see, Constanzo knows all about Severson's work for Tony Ryback when he ran against Joe Brennan for the state house. Uh oh. He knows all about Severson's work for the Northampton County Dems last fall. Severson insists he's been paid, but the most recent finance report shows he's still owed $7,000. Uh oh. Constanzo knows all about the California corporation Severson set up to keep his work for Democrats on the "down low." Severson claims he owns the company, but California records show a different name and the corporation is listed as "suspended." Uh oh. Constanzo even knows about the $9,000 that Senate Republicans pay Severson monthly. Uh oh.

If a Senior Deputy AG knew this much about me, I'd be wearing Depends right now.

When Constanzo returned to the case, Severson did nothing to help himself. He was forced to admit that (1) he actually makes knives as a hobby; (2) told Angle he was going to get him; (3) had given Ron the bird inside a church; (4) had tossed out "Fuck yous" repeatedly; (5) had intimidated an elderly gentleman in front of him; and (6) had approached Ensslin and promised to destroy her politically.

All inside a church.

During a funeral mass.

Why did he do this? He was provoked. Angle said "Hello" to him. Of course, Severson now claims he only intended to "get" Ron in a political, and not physical, sense.

Just like during the Requiem, Severson could not keep his mouth shut.

This case is being heard by a Chester County Senior Judge Charles Smith because, at one time or another, Severson has worked for half the court. Like Pontius Pilate, Judge Smith has a habit of rubbing his hands together with lotion throughout the trial, as though the whole thing is one dirty mess.

And it is. The case will wrap up today. No matter what the outcome may be, Scissorhands Severson's legal troubles appear to be just beginning.

Update: You can read about yesterday's trial in both The Express Times and Morning Call. The Express Times has a second account concerning the possible impact on a statewide grand jury investigating Severson.

Political Consultant's Trial Scheduled Today

Campaign guru Tom "Scissorhands" Severson, who political consulting firms have collected at least $9.9 million from candidates seeking state office between 2000 and 2007, is scheduled to face a jury today.

In December '07, Severson went totally ballistic at a funeral mass in Pen Argyl when he spied Ron Angle in the congregation, threatening him and chasing him into the parking lot. He hinted he might posses a knife. Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett filed charges that include terroristic threats, assault and disorderly conduct.

And get this. Thanks to Bossman Joe Long, Scissorhands Severson is the poster boy of Northampton County machine Dems. They've used him for smear campaigns and still owe $7,000.

Is Push Poll Being Used to Taint Scissorhands Severson's Potential Jurors?

Political consultant Tom Severson, aka Scissorhands Severson, is supposedly semi-retired, enjoying the good life somewhere in Arizona. But he still faces an assortment of criminal charges after disrupting a Wind Gap funeral mass with taunts and threats directed at Northampton County Council member.

According to former Northampton County council member Mary Ensslin, Severson kept putting a hand in one of his pockets during a funeral mass, saying "We're going to settle this. I'm going to stick this in you outside." Angle told a magistrate that Severson occasionally pulled two inches of what looked like a switchblade knife from his pocket. A Severson neighbor states that, after the incident was over, Severson walked up to him and bragged, "I'm a natural born killer."

Severson's trial, already delayed a few times, may have to be delayed again. Someone is trying to taint the jury pool. Amazingly, it's being done via push poll from an Easton telephone number.

Here's how it works. Voters are asked some general questions about Northampton County Executive John Stoffa and his primary opponent, Ann McHale. There's even a question about Republican challenger ** ********. So far, so good, right? But then the survey takes a strange turn and asks whether people are familiar with Ron Angle's reputation for veracity. Some claim to have been asked whether Angle had ever lied to them.

These questions, designed to portray Angle as a bum, come at a time when he seeks no countywide office. Why try to portray Angle as a liar now? If you're Scissorhands Severson and facing criminal charges, you certainly have a motive. And since his outfit is the only Easton group capable of running a poll, Severson certainly also has the opportunity.

Some say that Dem Bossman Joe Long has funded this poll. Others believe Severson has dug into his own ample pockets. Whoever is paying for it, its purpose is obvious - someone is trying to taint the jury panel. Prosecutors and judges tens to take a dim view of that kind of behavior. This may have to be investigated before Severson is tried.