[WASHINGTONTIMES] Pennsylvania Democrats, no strangers to corruption, are surpassing their own dirty reputations as they prepare to host the Democratic National Convention this summer in Philadelphia.There’s Rep. Chaka Fattah, an 11-term Democrat from Philadelphia whose trial opens Monday in federal court on charges of bribery, concealment of unlawful campaign contributions and theft of charitable and federal funds. Voters took the rare step in the Democratic primary last month of voting out Mr. Fattah, the longest-serving black congressman in Pennsylvania’s history.
Philadelphia lawyer/lobbyist John Estey, who served as chief of staff in the administration of Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell, pleaded guilty last week to federal wire fraud in an FBI sting involving suspected bribery of state politicians. That probe seems sure to bring even more explosive corruption charges: Estey wore a wire for Sherlocks, perhaps as long as five years.
There is speculation that Estey also helped federal authorities bring down state Treasurer Rob McCord, a Democrat who pleaded guilty last year to trying to extort $125,000 in campaign donations from two businesses during his failed bid for governor. McCord resigned the treasurer’s post. He, too, has secretly recorded conversations for the FBI but has yet to be sentenced.
In the past three years, The Philadelphia Inquirer noted, the list of city Democrats accused or convicted of corruption includes a congressman, a former sheriff, five state representatives, a state senator and eight judges. Other ongoing federal probes are reaching into Democrat-run city administrations in Allentown and Reading, Pennsylvania.
The wave of corruption cases, with more charges expected, comes as Democrats are gearing up in two months to host the giant party that will launch their presidential nominee, presumably
Hillary Clinton... sometimes described as
For a good time at 3 a.m. call Hillaryand at other times as Mrs. Bill, never as
Another Dean Acheson...
, on to glory. Or something.