The LuLac Edition #1781, October 2nd, 2011
Luzerne County District Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll.
MUSTO CARROLL UP
In case you haen’t noticed, Jackie Musto Carroll is running for another term for re-election. Musto Carroll has been taking some heat from the Young Republicans in the County. I’m all for engaging in debate and trying to revive the dead body that once again the Luzerne County Republican organization. But this is the wrong way to go. I mean instead of hurling ridiculous accusations at the experienced DA, why not lend a financial hand to your candidates in races for Mayor of your major cities here and Luzerne County Council. (But let’s never forget that the GOP power structure opposed Carolee Olinginski Medico and Walter Griffith in their 2009 primary bids. All both of them did was win the General election!) Joe Valenti from Pittston.Politics.com has more. (I was going to save this for “Write On Wednesday” but this was just too damn good.)
FROM PITTSTON POLITICS.COM
Quite a few within the GOP have been trying to tie Luzerne County District Attorney Jackie Musto-Carroll into the corruption scandal under the dome. Most recently, the GOP took aim in their quest to take over the slot with Stephanie Salavantis.
Initially, I thought it would be like shooting ducks in a barrel.
Not so fast.
Musto-Carroll was in office as the County’s top cop for just about 13 months when the US Attorney held a press conference announcing Ciavarella’s and Conahan’s indictments. She also served served as the First Assistant under Dave Lupas for quite a few years as well.
With Musto-Carroll by US Attorney Martin Carlson’s side, Carlson sang Jackie’s praises in assisting with moving the investigation forward.
You see, the wheels of justice, especially on the federal level, move quite slowly.
Don’t think for one minute the feds were in town for a couple of months and decided to indict the juvie judges.
Rest assured, the feds were in town for no less than two years compiling the goods on these guys before the hammer fell
And, Jackie Musto-Carroll was there from day one assisting with the complex investigation.
Now ask yourself this question: Do you think a US Attorney would have Jackie Musto-Carroll by his side and sing her praises for one second if she was negligent and or had some culpability?
MUSTO CARROLL FUNDRAISER
RALLY TO RE-ELECT JACKIE MUSTO CARROLL DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Time: Friday, October 28 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: GRAMERCY BALLROOM & RESTAURANT 155 South Main St. Pittston, PA
More Info $25 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling 655-9401.
FROM THE WEBSITE
These are a few thoughts and initiatives Jackie Musto Carroll has been working on since she's been in office.
I am very proud of the work that I have done as the Luzerne County District Attorney. In addition to fighting crime and seeking justice on behalf of victims, I have also put into place many crime fighting initiatives which I believe will go a long way toward decreasing the crime rate and making Luzerne County among the best and safest places to live.
Among some of the highlights of programs I started during my administration are the Luzerne County Child Advocacy Center. On August 12, 2010, the CAC opened at 187 Hanover Street in Wilkes-Barre. This facility provides a safe place for children of physical and sexual abuse to come to tell their story of the physical and sexual abuse that they endured. It is a safe, comfortable and child-friendly setting where members of law enforcement, Children & Youth and other social service agencies can collaborate on the investigation of these cases while providing children with forensic interviews and sexual assault medical exams. We partnered with the Geisinger Wyoming-Valley Health System to provide this home and these services to our most valuable resource, our children. Since August, we have seen over 100 children at this center. Our multi-disciplinary team has worked tirelessly to help these children through these very traumatic times. On September 21, 2010, the Luzerne County Child Advocacy Center was approved as an Associate Developing Member of the National Childrens’ Alliance. We are now in the process of applying for full accreditation.
The Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office Youth Aid Panel Program kicked off on May 18, 2011 after many months of planning. This is a diversionary program for first-time juvenile offenders who are accused of committing minor crimes. In this program, panels of community volunteers have been set up throughout the county. The children who commit these acts appear before the panels and enter into an agreement to complete certain conditions in order for the charges to be dismissed. Through this program, children are learning that there are consequences from their actions and, at the same time, they have an opportunity to avoid going through the juvenile system and to have any record wiped away. I am extremely excited about the implementation of this program which I believe will give our children a chance to learn from their mistakes so they may grow up to become productive members of our society.
“2Smart4Trbl” is a video which has been developed and produced by the Juvenile Prosecutors Network of Pennsylvania. The two juvenile prosecutors in our office have helped in the production. It is a video aimed toward 6th, 7th and 8th grade students which teaches them how to stay out of trouble and shows them what can happen if they do break the law. I have been to 25 middle schools and have presented this program to over 8,000 children within our county. I’ve had a great experience in doing so and the response received from the children, school officials and parents has been outstanding.
Next, we all know that we have a budget crisis here in Luzerne County. As such, I have also instituted the Bad Check Program which we have seen generate over $100,000.00 so far in restitution for the merchants of Luzerne County. Our office has received thousands of dollars from the program which has been put into our budget to help defray the cost and operating expenses of the District Attorney’s Office.
Also, since July of 2010, I have taken the necessary steps for the District Attorney’s Office to charge a fee for those defendants entering into the ARD or the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program. A $200.00 fee is collected from each and every individual who completes the program successfully. As a result, we have collected over $50,000.00 and counting. This money has been put into the District Attorney’s budget to help pay for the expenses of fighting crime.
Four years ago, I told you that I was going to formalize the units in the District Attorney’s Office. Since then, we have formed a Special Victims Unit, an Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, an Appellate Unit, a Domestic Violence Unit, an Elder Abuse Unit, a Forfeiture Unit and a Homicide Unit. These teams of professionals work together to address the serious and devastating crimes with which many of the members of our community are faced. I believe in team-work and I have seen no greater example than that which is displayed by these units working within our office who also work side-by-side with the law enforcement agencies throughout the county.
Through our Forfeiture Unit, we have confiscated money from drug dealers and have used that money against them by providing law enforcement with dogs, bullet proof vests, computer equipment, tasers, vehicle forfeitures, officer training and more.
Precious Metals Computerized Repository. The Precious Metals Law in Pennsylvania requires all purchases of precious metals to be licensed through the county. The District Attorney’s Office is statutorily obligated to receive and maintain records of these purchases. Since taking office, I have instituted a computerized program where precious metals dealers are able to log in their purchases directly with the District Attorney’s Office. As such, this repository of information collected by our detectives has been extremely instrumental in apprehending and prosecuting individuals who would sell stolen items to local pawn shops. Having a record of the transaction to include the item purchased, the name, address, age, sex and race as well as driver’s license has led local law enforcement to our repository to check for items stolen in burglaries throughout the county. We have held training sessions for the precious metals dealers in the county so that they may know what is expected of them. The cooperation we have received has been noteworthy.
Bath Salts. Early this year we began to see a rash of incidents wherein individuals under the influence of substances known as Bath Salts committed crimes throughout our towns and cities. At that time, we witnessed an example of the law being inadequate to address certain situations. While the legislature was faced with enacting laws to outlaw the sale of what has become known as synthetic cocaine, we on a county level in law enforcement had to act quickly. I successfully sought and obtained an injunction against those selling these products. Luzerne County became the second county in the state, followed by many others to seek to enjoin this behavior prior to the legislature having the opportunity to pass laws outlawing the sale of these substances. I am very proud of the proactive approach taken and of the cooperation we received from the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office in combating this problem.
Project Safe Neighborhood Gun Buy Back Program. Throughout my tenure in office, we have held gun buy back programs with grant money financed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Area residents have been provided the opportunity to dispose of unwanted firearms in a safe manner reducing the opportunity for criminals to sell guns, sell them on the streets or use them in crimes. Once collected, the firearms have been destroyed pursuant to law.
Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Internet crimes against our children have been on the rise throughout the county and nation as well. We must be ever vigilant in protecting our children from these would-be on-line predators. Since joining the ICAC Task Force, we have become a member of a cooperative group of law enforcement agencies on the international, federal, regional, state and local levels. The mission of ICAC is to safeguard our children from Internet crime by “weaving a seamless web of protection” around them, across the nation and across the globe. My office has also provided many community outreach programs in which I, myself, have participated in order to teach children, parents and teachers about Internet safety. Dozens of arrests have been made by the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office as part of this task force.
The Prescription Drug Take-Back Program. In collaboration with the federal government, we have collected and destroyed unwanted prescription medication from members of our community so that this medication does not fall into the hands of our children. We are in the midst now of planning another prescription take back program and we will let you know in the very near future when you can take your unwanted drugs to a place to be destroyed.
PA SAVIN: Pennsylvania’s Victim Notification Service. Luzerne County was among the first counties in Pennsylvania to sign onto PA SAVIN. It is a free service that lets the public know if a particular offender is in jail and gives other important custody information. A person can sign up to be notified of an offender’s release, transfer or escape. Community members are notified by phone or email. Now a victim of crime does not have to worry that he or she will run into an offender out in public without them knowing that he is no longer in jail. The program works and it has been effective in keeping our community members safe.
These are just some of the highlights of the many initiatives I have implemented so far during my tenure in office as the Luzerne County District Attorney. All of these programs are aimed toward making the lives of our citizens better and our community stronger.
It takes experience to be an effective District Attorney and there’s no substitute for the experience I have gained in my twenty-six years of practicing law including nineteen years as a prosecutor. Whether it is trying cases, making tough decisions, heading major case teams, managing a staff of 67 individuals, providing community outreach, partnering with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, consoling victims and their families or fighting in the courtroom on their behalf, I have done it all.
I have led by example and I have the sense of responsibility, maturity and experience it takes to be the District Attorney of Luzerne County and I am prepared to continue the fight against crime on your behalf.
I promise to do my best and to work as hard as I can to insure that Luzerne County is a safe place in which to raise a family, to start a business and to live out our golden years. I promise to continue to do my best at all times and will do so with the utmost integrity.
DEEPEST SYMPATHIES
Our deepest sympathies go out to former WILK, WARM, WBRE, ESPN and countless other stops in media broadcaster Kevin Lynn on the passing of his mother. Kevin spoke fondly of her many times and because of that I almost thought I knew her. Losing a mom is tough. Again, we're very sorry for the loss.
posted by David Yonki @ 12:05 AM
31 comments
31 Comments:
Finally, you and Valenti are being sensible about this race. As always you hit the nail on the head. I'm not so much offended by the way the GOP is coming after Musto Carroll, after all this is politics. I'm offended by how they are making this "the race". A loser Executive committee chasing a fool's errand. They need to put their resources behind some of the Republican council candidates. Or else it'll be 10 Dems and Bible Buck trying to hire a new County Manager! And not for nothing, let's not forget the stinging letter of denunciation she wrote about Judge Mike Toole. And let me go one step further. Ciavarella was a crooked man. But his kids weren't chargede with anything. What's next, we're going to deny them a loaf of bread at Wegman's or Carrone's because who their dad was? Talk about lack of political focus!
Jackie WANTS to be DA, this poor young girl was FORCED to run against Jackie. I take free will over control any day of the week.
I'm pleased people are starting to see the risk in puting a young
Woman with absolutely no
Experience or business in the das office. The republican candidate is a joke
And they have nothing to do but try to say Jackie Carroll was corrupt. She has done a great job look at all of the work and murderers that have been successfully prosecuted. The republicans want to
Put a person in there with no legal or professional experience at all. She lives at home with her rich mom and daddy. Yet they think she can hold such a criticalnposition. Read her website she sites no experience are you serious?
Also she has aligned herself with sandy fonzo this lady who's kid was sentenced by Ciavarella. What they don't tell you is that her son assailed another boy so violently he needed reconstructive surgery. Let's start holding these parents accountable too. Cmon now in an effort to grab one of re last elected seats in the county the rs are coming after jackie Carroll.
By the way insure they ate trying to say the da salaries are too high. Jackie doesn't set them
If stephanie wants a future in law she needs to disavow these statements and those making them. Not addressing this is tacit approval of what are very possibly slanderous and libelous statements. I'm not sure how she got into this race, but this classless campaign is no way to intrude introduce herself to local voters. Not only would I not vote for her,i would not hire her or any firm she may be associated.
This article clearly demonstrates that you are a toady for the Luzerne County Democratic party and the status quo. How do you sleep at night?
The more Fonzo woman is in the public eye, the greater the chance the truth will come out. When it does there will be a lot of people sorry they not only took her side, but gave her a platform.
Typical Republican campaign and election strategy. When they don't have a credible candidate that can win an election on ability, merit or issues they resort to half-truths, distortions of fact and lies. More and more voters are realizing that the Republican Party is using the depraved tactic of smearing the opponent to win elections and will not fall for it in this election for District Attorney or other future elections.
IN RESPONSE
This article clearly demonstrates that you are a toady for the Luzerne County Democratic party and the status quo. How do you sleep at night?
I GENERALLY SLEEP PRETTY WELL AT NIGHT. AND I HAVE TO BE A TOADY TO KEEP MY $150,000 A YEAR COUNTY JOB AS THE ASSISTANT TO THE ASSISTANT TO THE THIRD ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE FOURTH ASSISTANT TIP STAFFS AND GROUNDSKEEPERS UNDER THE DOME WITH THE PARKING PLACE RIGHT NEXT TO THE REAR ENTRANCE. NOT!
The republicans are the party of the elite. They do not care about social programs or helping their fellow man. They believe in survival of the fittest..not about the man who worked his whole life and raised his family and now may have to live only on his meager pension and a small SS check. Salavantis is a spoiled rich kid who had everything handed to her. She doesn't want to work her way to the top but wants to go in as the boss. Typical republican!
Where are this girl's parents?
The people who put this young atty up to this should be ashamed of themselves. They have her believing she could be the DA when all they want to do is harass Musto Carroll. They are having fun at this kid's expense. They are evil.
Salavantis has allowed herself to be used. The last thing Luzerne County needs is a DA who can be used.
Terry Casey you have cost Dick Hughes and any republicans this election. You have undermined any integrity the party had left by supporting Salavantis. All you have done is energize Musto Carroll's democratic base and that means bad news for Dick Hughes and all republican party council candidates. These people are now hell bent on voting straight democrat. Thanks Terry Casey.
Why else you think they picked a young girl? She is easy to be controled,she cant think and act for herself!
IN RESPONSE
Where are this girl's parents?
TO BE FAIR, "THIS GIRL" IS A WOMAN, A FULL GROWN ADULT WHO IS 29. JFK WAS A CONGRESSMAN AT 26, I DOUBT MANY PEOPLE WOULD REFER TO HIM AS "THE BOY". WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, THIS IS THE 21st CENTURY.
I think you really did a fine job in outlining this DA's work. If she were a climber, she'd be going after one of those Judgeships. And I dare say she's more qualified than a few that are running now. Bad ebough that there will be a learning curb on the third floor. We don't need another one in the DA's office.
IN RESPONSE
Terry Casey you have cost Dick Hughes and any republicans this election. You have undermined any integrity the party had left by supporting Salavantis. All you have done is energize Musto Carroll's democratic base and that means bad news for Dick Hughes and all republican party council candidates. These people are now hell bent on voting straight democrat. Thanks Terry Casey.
I'VE BEEN HEARING THIS EVER SINCE THIS DA'S CAMPAIGN STARTED. DICK HUGHES IS A VERY DECENT MAN AND MANY DEMS WERE VERY INCLINED TO VOTE FOR HIM. MORE THAN A FEW TOLD ME "IT WAS HIS TIME" AND "HE WAS HONORABLE". A FEW EVEN TOLD ME (AND THIS WAS THEIR OPINION) "WE HAVE ENOUGH WOMEN NOW SO I'LL GO FOR HUGHES". BUT THIS CAMPAIGN AND ITS TACTICS ARE GIVING MANY DEMS PAUSE AND IS DRIVING THEM BACK INTO THE FOLD.
When Dick Hughes loses this time he can place the blame squarely on the young republicans. Not only will he lose because of this bullshit, he will lose my a large margin. Trying to tie someone into the kids for cash fiasco, when it is an obvious fabrication, has turned off a lot of voters .
You are right Dave.
JFK went to Harvard Law not Thomas Cooley.
Musto-Carroll has no one to thank for having opposition than herself. Let's not forget that this DA continues to go after the Death Penalty which costs we the people a small fortune. In Pennsylvania, life is life and there is NO chance for parole. She is wasting our money, especially since Pennsylvania does not put convicted murders to death. Personally I'm against the death penalty but that aside, it is a financial train wreck for the taxpayers. Look the case she is prosecuting right now. A woman who was the THIRD driver to run over a woman in the street. WTF? The two rivers in front of her are not being prosecuted but she is? None of the three drivers knew it was a woman's body in the street and none of them should be put through this. For this reason and only this reason I will not vote for Jackie Musto Carroll. This young woman is not qualified but she won't screw things up any worse than our present DA.
Does the term Luzerne Cunty YOUNG Republicans refer to age or maturity level? It is hard to tell, if you go to their "communications" director's Facebook page, the pose is like a "thug" want to be. Is this really the image the republicans want to put out to the public and is this the image you want to be the face of your organization?
I am a republican who will vote for Musto-Caroll and I will lodge a protest vote against Dick Hughes, unless he disavows this group and their tactics. Let's see if Dick Hughes is a man of true character or not!
I am not sure how citing a legitimate report's conclusions and asking Musto Carroll questions about its conclusions, is ridiculous. Why doesn't she just answer the questions? If she can show the voters it wasn't her who didn't do her job, like the report clearly states, then she should address the issue. And to those criticizing Salavantis. There are two questions involved. 1. Whether Musto Carroll did her job properly and 2. Whether, despite a finding that she didn't if she should be re-elected. These are separate questions. Just because you don't believe Salavantis has enough experience does not mean Jackie did her job properly. You can either disagree with the report which found she failed to do her job, or accept it, and decide if its enough to convince you to vote for someone else. Also, Yonk makes a good point about JFK. Don't disrespect young people by referring to them as children. There is something extremely appealing about a young person who is untainted and not part of the usual circle of power. Is it enough to vote for her, that's up for you and me to decide.
DAVE JIMMY HOFFA CALLED JFK " THE F%$#& RICH KID " LOL LOL
WE NEED A CLEAN-HOUSE IN THE COURTHOUSE. WE DONT NEED ANY MORE CIAVERELLAS, CONAHANS, TOOLES, BROMINSKIS,LUPAS,HAGGERTYS, BOBECKS,MUSTOS,URBANS,PETRILLAS,NO-RELLI/MORELLI'S
THE LIST GOES ON AND ON AND ON...
HAVE WE LEARNED NOTHING??
TIME TO GET RID OF ALL THE HANGERS ON, CAREER POLITICIANS, FAMILY FORTUNE MAKERS AND GIVE SOME OF THESE YOUNG WOMEN A CHANCE!
Hey 6:41
JFK did not go to any Law School.
He was not a lawyer. He did graduate from Harvard.
He was however exactly what Hoffa said he was as noted by 2:59.
These are facts.
Dave, can we have a tally on names and/or attacks just on this story alone? Hughes, Salavantis, JFK, YoungRepublicans,a "Communications" person, Jackie Musto-Caroll, sevaral judges, County persons running for home rule seats. Dave, you should post more on the DA race on your blog it gets more comments than anything you posted in the last few weeks. Now I understand when they say politics is a "blood sport". Hey Dems and republicans keep up the good work on the attacks...I need to get my popcorn!
IN RESPONSE
Dave, can we have a tally on names and/or attacks just on this story alone? Hughes, Salavantis, JFK, YoungRepublicans,a "Communications" person, Jackie Musto-Caroll, sevaral judges, County persons running for home rule seats. Dave, you should post more on the DA race on your blog it gets more comments than anything you posted in the last few weeks. Now I understand when they say politics is a "blood sport". Hey Dems and republicans keep up the good work on the attacks...I need to get my popcorn!
YOU KNOW THE DAMN THING ABOUT THIS POST IS THAT I WAS VERY LIGHT ON A SUNDAY EDITION. I HAD PLANNED TO DO THE COUNTY COUNCIL STORY BUT WAS STILL PREPARING IT. SO I PULLED A FEW THINGS OUT OF MY "TO DO" FILE AND DID THE STORY ON THE MUSTO CARROLL-SALAVANTIS RACE. WHO KNEW???
Ffirst in response to MUSTO CARROLL asking for the death penelty, if that was your kid that is killed in the roadway what penelty do you think you want, The first driver hit the girl , got out of her car went back to the girl on the roadway and then got back in her car and ran a way , then driver 2 hit the girl and stoped and called 911 and the girl was still alive , then driver 3 hits the girl and runs a way !!! DA Carroll has charged driver 1 with only hit and run thats only ONE yr. in jail max. Driver 2 is not charged with anything & driver 3 IS charged wiyh the same as driver 1! that sounds fear ti me! O ya about driver one Ms. Salsvantis works for her daddy Attorney Robert Panowicz WTF do you think about that!!!! IF that was your kid , how do you think you want driver 1 charged think about it ? AS for the death penelty thats the law and that is what DA Carroll is sworn to uphold ! THATS CALLED DOING HER JOB !!!
7:14 You are nuts ! Run down a person in the street and run away, thats OK in your world man I'm happy your not the DA. !!!! LOL LOL
Thomas Cooley, ain't he the commissioner with Petrilla?
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