AC police probe JH election activities

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A criminal investigation has been launched into alleged fraudulent election practices by a nonprofit group in Jefferson Hills.
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Allegheny County Elections Division Manager Mark Wolosik this week turned over complaints about political activity in connection with the November 2007 election involving Jefferson Hills Committee for Honest Government to Allegheny County police.

The activity in question allegedly favored current Council Vice President James Weber, Councilwoman Kathleen Reynolds and Councilman Tracey Khalil.

Wolosik said in a letter to county police Superintendent Charles Moffat that he reviewed a complaint filed by Jefferson Hills resident Alberta Sherman with Assistant Allegheny County Solicitor Allan Opsitnick before making his recommendations.

In her complaint, Sherman stated, "whenever any expenditure is made expressly advocating the election or defeat of a candidate, it shall clearly and conspicuously state the name of the person who made or financed the expenditure for the communication, including, in the case of a political committee, the name of any affiliated or connected organization."

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by Brad Pedersen
Staff Writer
March 27, 2008
A Jefferson Hills resident is crying foul on three newly elected council members and the Jefferson Hills Committee for Honest Government, Inc. over questionable campaigning methods.
Alberta Sherman filed the complaint with the Allegheny County Department of Administrative Services Elections Divisions, claiming a mailing sent out before the Nov. 6 election violated state election laws.
The complaint was filed on Nov. 29, Mark Wolosik, Allegheny County Department of Administrative Services Elections Division manager, said. He said the file containing all pertaining documents "is huge."
The mailer in question encouraged the election of James Weber, Tracy Khalil and Kathleen Reynolds, over then-incumbents Brian Militzer, Michael Kulish and Dennis Oskin.
Weber, Khalil and Reynolds won the election.
State law requires political mailings to clearly state who paid for printing and distribution, which was missing from the committee's mailing, Sherman's complaint claims.
The investigation began last week, with County Police Lt. Robert Downey leading a team of detectives.
Allegheny County Police Superintendent Charles Moffat said no charges have been filed against any of the three council members or the committee.
"From what we understand, there is a violation that could turn into criminal charges," Moffat said.
After elections, Moffat said it is not uncommon to have about a half dozen similar investigations take place.
In a letter to Moffat, Wolosik said advocating the defeat of the incumbents may violate a state law banning a corporation from making political contributions or spending money on behalf of a candidate.
State law only allows a corporation to make political contributions or expenditures if it is set up as a political committee.
The Jefferson Hills Committee for Honest Government started about four years ago, lead by President George Taylor, a Jefferson Hills resident. The committee, originally composed of 56 members, met once a month. But the numbers eventually dwindled until meetings were eventually cancelled.
In the letter to Moffat, Wolosik said there were three allegations made against the three newly elected council members and Jefferson Hills Committee for Honest Government.
The first claim, which Wolosik said had no merit, said the committee funded and sent out the mailing without written consent from the candidates.
The second claim said the committee was in violation of state law by not clearly stating they sent the mailing.
State law requires any mailing "conspicuously state" the name of the person or organization funding it. Although it had the committee's United States Postal Service bulk mailing number, it did not clearly state who was financially responsible for the mailing, Wolosik wrote in his letter to Moffat.
The third claim said the committee's expenditures could violate state laws prohibiting any "corporation or incorporated organization from making a contribution or expenditure in connection with the election of any candidate." Only organizations set up as a political committee can make direct contributions to specific candidates.
Since the mailing advocated defeating the incumbents, Wolosik said the committee could be in violation because it is not set up as a political committee.
The letter said the committee was established "to investigate, research and publish the inner workings of Jefferson Hills on behalf of its citizens, as well as any honest, legal activity allowed under the law." But the committee does not specify it can serve as a political advocate.
"If the ad was not authorized, and it doesn't appear it was authorized by the candidates, then the ad must state who financed it," Wolosik said.

[Justice for All]

Not saving the borough any money!!!