The Orie case: Plenty of questions deserve their day in court
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The Orie sisters have now had their first days in court in a case alleging the use of state resources in pursuit of political campaigning. One thing is clear -- this case deserves more days in court, as Common Pleas Court Judge Donna Jo McDaniel rightly concluded yesterday.
After testimony ended on the third day, Judge McDaniel ordered state Sen. Jane Clare Orie, R-McCandless, and her sister, Janine Orie, held for trial. They are charged with using the senator's state office to campaign for another sister, Joan Orie Melvin, in her successful 2009 bid for state Supreme Court. The defendants deny any wrongdoing. Justice Melvin has not been charged, but an Allegheny County grand jury is investigating what part, if any, she played.
Attorneys for the defendants were defiantly dismissive of the charges. But while this may not be Bonusgate -- the far-reaching investigation by the state attorney general's office that implicated state workers and legislators -- it is still a matter of concern.
The smoke parted enough this week to reveal seemingly disturbing scenes. As described by several witnesses, Sen. Orie's campaign headquarters was manned not by any paid staff but by Senate employees. Most shocking of all was the affidavit that said Sen. Orie and Justice Melvin sent an intermediary to convey threats to the Allegheny County district attorney's office to lay off the investigation or else a "Wecht-style" attack would be launched. (Apparently the former coroner's name has entered the common language).
Indeed, much needs to be answered at a trial.
First Published July 22, 2010 12:00 am
