Christine Stuart has a great piece on this up over at CT News Junkie. Here are some reactions:
House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero, R-Norwalk, who was told by DeLuca this morning about the arrest, said that his heart goes out to him. I know the passion this man has for his family, he said. This was a personal family situtation, Cafero said. He said its his understanding that DeLucas family member was being seriously abused and he did a stupid thing by involving this gentleman.As far as his ability as a legislator, it doesnt affect that, he said.
The Governors Office responds to the allegations.
Its a very difficult personal family situation. The governor understands that the senator cooperated fully and that he recognizes that it was poor judgment. We have a process and the senator will be going through that process, Chris Cooper, Gov. M. Jodi Rells spokesman, said.
Should he resign?
Thats not a decision for the governor to make, Cooper said. (Stuart)
No calls from anyone for DeLuca to resign–yet. He’ll be in court Monday.
Source
Stuart, Christine. “Top Senate Republican Arrested.” CT News Junkie 1 July, 2007.
166 responses so far ↓
ACR,
A member of Republican State Central reaction is to bash the FBI and Protect the Mobsters.
Will Chris Healy Back ACR on this?
Que the “GODFATHER THEME”,
What did Deluca promise in return for “this little Favor” or was it just like in the movie and Deluca was already “owned” by these wise guys?
House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero, R-Norwalk, who was told by DeLuca this morning about the arrest, said that his heart goes out to him. “I know the passion this man has for his family,” he said. This was a personal family situtation, Cafero said. He said it’s his understanding that DeLuca’s family member was being seriously abused and he did a “stupid thing by involving this gentleman.”
————————————————————–
Do all Republicans always refer to and consider Mobsters “gentleman” or just the Republican Leaders?
This happened while holding office.
Same with Dillon and Clemons… leadership title should disappear.
In keeping with the established precedent that events in other states that have a bearing on events in CT are relevant to this blog (i.e. gay marriage in NH), it seems only appropriate to point out that these issues of corruption and ethical shortcomings by our elected officials are sadly nothing new.
Take, for instance, the case of this fine gentleman, a Democrat from Louisiana who was actually filmed by the (racist) FBI taking a big bag full of money. In a startling coincidence, a big bag of money was then recovered from his freezer by the (racist) FBI. He has since been re-elected by the fair-minded liberals of Louisiana. Keith, anything to add on this, or are you just going to restrict your comments to a personal attack against me?
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/05/21/jefferson.search/index.html
ctkeith, what you’re doing isn’t even “trolling” so much as it is “chumming”.
Everyone has to read DeLuca’s own statement which Christine Stuart posted over at CTNewsJunkie.
“Senate Republican Leader Louis C. DeLuca will be in state court on June 4 with respect to a matter that affect his personal life. The matter involved only a personal family issue, ….. federal investigators are not taking any action against Senator DeLuca. The senator appeared at the state’s attorney’s office today on a warrant charging hims with a state misdemeanor of conspiracy to threaten….”
“”Like anyone dealing with difficult personal issues, I would prefer that my family situation stay out of the public eye…”"
“Frustrated and concerned that the police could not help, … Senator DeLuca discussed the situation with James Galante of Danbury, who he knows through their mutual involvement in various community and civic affairs. Mr. Galante agreed to have someone meet the individual who was abusing Senator DeLuca’s relative….”
Wow. This is DeLuca’s own press release.
From the AP.
So DeLuca wanted the guy “roughed up,” but without violence. Maybe other, more mob-savvy linguists can tease out those differences.
And what’s the big deal, says DeLuca, because it didn’t happen. Only because the FBI stopped DeLuca’s non-violent “beating” from going through.
NutmegNoLonger–
You crack me up. The whole “bring up William Jefferson any time they catch one of our guys breaking the law”-thing is becoming frighteningly cliche.
For the record, every Democrat blogging from Connecticut wanted Jefferson to step down. Heck, ex-Lamont blogger Tim Tagaris even went to Louisiana to try to help out Jefferson’s primary opponent, Karen Carter. I hope Jefferson goes to jail. He is a disgrace to not just the Democratic Party, but the people of New Orleans, black people everywhere, Congress in general, etc, etc, etc.
P.S. We also know that Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are civil rights leaders with questionable personal histories.
I just hope that this quote from me over at the 40-year-plan doesnt get me on Lou’s hit list!
“When I came back from Kings College in Wilkes-Barre in 1998, I was a young idealist. I wanted to change the world, so I ran against Lou DeLuca, eyebrows and all.”
A question for all:
What would be happening to any one of “us” regular folk who were in Deluca’s shoes?
Damn MikeCT. I didn’t see that. What’s with the note-passing in the diner. Was Galante concerned about being bugged? For the record, the note from Galante said, “Do you want me to have someone pay him a visit?”
Here is the AP excerpt:
DeLuca said he was frustrated by the situation and discussed it with Galante. Authorities said the conversation occurred in April 2005 in a Woodbury diner, where Galante passed DeLuca a note that asked, “Do you want me to have someone pay him a visit?”
Authorities said DeLuca told Galante he wanted the offender roughed up and gave Galante the name and address of the alleged abuser.
The assault never happened. Prosecutors, who recovered the note in a search of Galante’s home, said they stopped the beating by parking a police car in front of the associate’s house.
Man, that’s even worse than I imagined. DeLuca’s toast. Who will replace him, the mentally balanced, well-spoken, pedigreed and well-educated Senator McKinney? (who even voted for the EDR bill today?)
My guess is Chris Healy will take full opportunity of this opening, and DeLuca will be told to go away.
(I also bet that ACR will soon be told to go away as well, that’s if he keeps up his bold and public full-scale defense of DeLuca, as a member of the Republican State Central Committee!)
Crikey!
Looks like we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg. CTNewsJunkie has more, with the full affadavit to be put up on her site later this evening.
This has gone from a question of “Will DeLuca survive?”, to a full-scale GOP crisis. My guess is DeLuca resigns by next Wednesday.
And what’s up with New Haven State Rep. Bill Dyson-D defending DeLuca in the AP wire story? Shame on you Mr. Dyson! (below is what he said:)
“But Rep. William Dyson, D-New Haven, had both empathy and praise for DeLuca. “I can’t think of a guy who’s more straight and honest and above board than Lou DeLuca,” he said. “I can’t help but believe that in the final analysis of whatever has taken place there would be a resolution on it and I think he will be vindicated.”"
Well, it’s been an afternoon of fun. Gotta go watch the Red Sox beat the Yankees.
Comity reigns.
Nutty no longer,
ACR,who is a voting member of The Republican State central Committee ,came into the thread below and bashed the FBI and tried to excuse The Republican Leader of the Senate from the responsibility of trying to have someone “Roughed Up” by an obvious Mobster.
This was obviously not the first contact with mobsters Lou DeLuca had and it’s also obvious he knew that if this favor was done for him he owed these mobsters.A few questions MUST BE ANSWERED by the other Leaders and Members of the Republican Caucus.
Wouldn’t you agree?
I think we need to wait for justice to work with this. Sen DeLuca is entitled to his day in court. It’s hard to prove conspiracy to assault in the absence of an actual assault- which is why we need wait for the State’s Attorney’s court argument.
We need to wait for all the facts to come out. The state’s attorney has to provide enough proof to find him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. People often forget what a high evidentiary standard that is; it is a much higher evidentiary standard than we expect of scientists, for example. For example, relativity and gravity can’t be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. We believe them to be correct in the absence of a more precise theory.
But this is the problem- because the boyfriend wasn’t actually beat up, the state’s evidence relies on interpretation of Senator DeLuca’s statement. And that’s the problem- was this conspiracy to assault- or was it- Galante, have your boys give him a rough talking to- tell him what a piece of **** he is and warn him to get the *** away from the girlfriend, and that the family has no place for ex-cons like him. This is an accurate distillation of the claims both sides will make about Sen. DeLuca’s statements. If the statements are the principle piece of evidence, the jury has to err on the side of Sen. DeLuca’s claimed understanding, unless the prosecution can provide evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that Sen. DeLuca’s statements are erroneous or not credible. They’re going to have a much harder job doing this because DeLuca has admitted the incident occurred and he showed poor judgement, so the verdict will hinge on the whether statements are to be interpreted literally or figuratively.
That’s if they get to that point. This kind of misdemeanor is typically settled with a guilty plea, community service, and suspended sentence.
So that’s the legal side of things.
From a political perspective, it looks terrible- a Republican leader getting arrested. I think the governor’s press secretary handled it well. The key to how it plays out depends on how well Lou deals with the whole thing. If he’s out there on talk shows such as Face the State and makes himself available to the press- especially the Courant, the JI, and the Waterbury Republican, he’ll have an easier time in the future. This also depends on how well he developed contacts with reporters in Waterbury and at the capital, in the past.
As to whether or not he resigns as Majority Leader, that’s his decision to make. If Lou can beat the charges and is genuine, honest, and humble in the coming days, then he will be okay. If he’s arrogant, unreachable, and unclear, he’ll probably have to.
I have to say, we also should set politics aside for a moment and have some sympathy from the human perspective. What an awful thing to have to deal with for a family patriarch like Lou- a relative dating a convicted felon- who Lou believed abused his relative. Often, abuse victims refuse to report the abuse. I think if my grandparents found out that my sister was dating an ex-con who was treating her like garbage and leaving hurt in his wake for the rest of the family. Now, does this justify assault for hire? No. But we aren’t sure that’s what happened.
This does illustrate a problem in our legal system: it is hard to get help to domestic abuse victims who are caught in the cycle of abuse and don’t report the crimes. The legislature should make it possible for folks to anonymously and confidentially report spousal abuse (as compared to child abuse which there are more channels to monitor and report.
The other thing I’d caution you guys about is appeals to the worst stereotypes about Italian-Americans. I’m half Italian and am very sensitive toward Lou being portrayed as “Lou the mobster”. There hasn’t been much of that here, but I figured I might keep it away if I said something proactive.
On the rubric of misconduct, this is not terribly high, given all the legislators who have a history of DUI. If Lou is supposed to resign over this, the legislators who have been caught DUI should think of doing so also; they’re guilt of a far more forseeable, negligent, and damaging crime than what Lou has been charged with.
I want to see more information before I pass any kind of judgement of the situation or the man.
**Not (necessarilly) sticking up for Lou** but…
If a member of my family is being abused, I take care of it myself. If I’m elderly like Sen. DeLuca, I have somebody take care of it for me.
Okay, I guess I’m sticking up for Lou. Any man worth his salt on this blog would do the same thing…don’t even try to deny it.
JESUS H CHRIST,
Click on Ct News Junkies you clowns,She’s got more!!!!
Lou Deluca was O-W-N-E-D by the MOB.
The only question remaining now is how many other Republicans were in on the scheme!!
Of course I’m backing Senator DeLuca – and I will to the hilt too.
Anyone who knows me knows I’m never disloyal.
Besides, what right thinking American male wouldn’t have done the same thing given identical circumstances and the opportunity?
ACR,
Please resign your position as a Member of Cts Republican State central Committee immediately. For someone in your position to it’s perfectly OK for Republican Politicians to sell their influence to mobsters in order to have someone “roughed up” is hopefully even below the very low standards of Cts Republican Party.
If Chris Healy is reading this Blog I suggest he ask for your Resignation immediately.Your remarks here are an embarassment to any honest person involved at all in politics.
Innocent until proven guilty.
However, if DeLuca is proven to be guilty, then he is definitely a disgrace to the Republican Party. I am a Republican and I want the best for Republicans — but there is absolutely nothing OK about what DeLuca did if the allegations are proven to be true.
Derby, follow my link to CTNewsJunkie’s reporting. Read it, then come back and tell this is no big thing.
Politicians consorting with mobsters is a big deal. The media is going to run wild with this, and DeLuca is done for, regardless of what happens in the criminal proceedings.
Again, I believe there was, or will be a decision made to move Lou out.
Our side wasn’t kidding when we said we like DeLuca as Senate minority leader. McKinney will be much more forbidable.
Any chance that David Cappiello would leap to that position? If he will be the Republican to defeat Chris Murphy in 2008, then perhaps the extra exposure from this position would be helpful …
Is McKinney essentially a lock for the position if DeLuca is proven guilty and there is an opening?
If McKinney is certain to run against Dodd in 2010, then I can understand the necessity of his smooth transition to DeLuca’s current role …
Although my language is much cleaner than ctkeith’s, I’m a bit concerned about essentially agreeing with him right now. God, please forgive me for essentially agreeing with ctkeith.
Dodd run again in 2010? I doubt it.
This Presidential lark is meant to build his profile, after which he starts cashing in. (I také him at his word when he says he’s doing this for his family.)
Stamfordinho – “Innocent until proven guilty” That only applies to corrupt politicians, politicians and a select group of wealthy folk; otherwise, it is guilty until proven innocent – get real.
I really don’t give a damn if the accused is republican or democrat – given the nature of the alleged offense – he doesn’t deserve to be an elected official – the sooner he is out of office the better.
Ct Keith – who cares if he is a coward? It really doesn’t matter, he sold his soul and obviously has no character or integrity.
The rest of the gang – take a stand, a position, and stick to it! Enough of this petty anti shit.
Wow, I thought that “innocent until proven guilty” was something which all Americans would agree upon …
DeLuca on his high moral standards.
The affadavit on his real character:
Whew, I’m glad he stood firm on moral principle and wasn’t merely worried about the cash being traced and shit like that.
DeLuca on women who have been the victims of sexual violence and are in need of emergency contraception: Screw ‘em and ship ‘em somewhere else.
Stamfordinho,
Why not be the first Republican here to ask ACR to step down from his position on the Republican State Central Committee.
ACR has not only defended hiring mobsters to “rough up” someone he’s said he would have done the exact same thing with this quote.
“Besides, what right thinking American male wouldn’t have done the same thing given identical circumstances and the opportunity?”
Is this the kind of people you want Repesenting you on the Republican State Central Committee?
Is it any wonder with people like ACR,who put loyalty above honesty and ethical behavior,that John Rowland was what he was?
Personally attacking ACR or other posters is supposed to get people banned from this website. I have no respect for a person’s efforts to attack ACR.
>>is supposed to get people banned from this website
Only if you’re from the right. Keith can continue posting anything he likes apparently.
NutmegNoLonger,
We got one corrupt guy in Congress, and that allows you to ignore the epidemic on the GOP side. One man does not make a trend, Delay, Cunningham, the Congressman from Arizona, Any number of other Republicans who are under investigation, that’s a trend
[quote comment="11150"]>>is supposed to get people banned from this website
Only if you’re from the right. Keith can continue posting anything he likes apparently.[/quote]
old news
And yes, I think Jefferson should have resigned.
ACR has made himself a public person by posting his name,address and phone number on this site all by himself.He has also bragged about being a member of the Republican State Central Committee and Therefore when he writes here it is not just as another poster but as a member of that committee.
If ANY member of the Democratic State Central Committee put loyalty to one man over loyalty to his constituents trust and honesty and ethics I assure you I would be screaming for his resignation just as loudly.
ACR has disgraced the Republican Party with his post tonight and any Republicans who stand with him is admitting they’re no better.
Though I’m not sure if Deluca should resign his Senate seat, his leadership post without a doubt though. One thing is for sure, there is no way he runs in ‘08, the Republican Party has spent too much time grooming and promoting Rep. Williams for them not to jump at the opprutunity to push Deluca aside.
[quote comment="11156"]ACR has made himself a public person by posting his name,address and phone number on this site all by himself.[/quote]
I remember you posted a Google Maps to his house.
Reminds me of the people who would advertise abortion doctor names and addresses. I’m sure you were against that though.
Hey Guys & Gals – STOP IT! Otherwise, I will go to Toys-R-Us and purchase pails and shovels, in the same color, so that you all can play in the sandbox together – nicely. There is an ISSUE at hand – is it just plain old every day corruption or criminal activity? Make the difference and understand the reprocussions. Do you want anyone who particpates in criminal activity to represent you in the legislature? I don’t. Further, I really don’t like the idea of corrupt politicians – although that seems to be the way these days.
Actually, providing a Google map to another poster’s house sounds a bit like what DeLuca is accused of doing …
Shattering day all around. But I guess this reaction string is all about cheap political points… on both sides. Let’s not all get on our high horses, ACR and ctkeith.
Oh, and gee Kenny Curran, announcing your candidacy so soon?
Please.
“If ANY member of the Democratic State Central Committee put loyalty to one man over loyalty to his constituents trust and honesty and ethics I assure you I would be screaming for his resignation just as loudly.”
Hey Keith,
Someone as righteous as you would remember this one:
“The two aides, both attached to the government administration and elections committee, the legislative committee that earlier investigated improprieties committed by Gov. Jodi Rell’s chief aide Lisa Moody, were caught on tape rifling through the desk of Republican aide Juliannna Simone, who was interviewed after the event by channel 8 reporter Mark Davis.
“One aide was suspended and another is due for reassignment. At the very least, Lopes and Palmer had created ‘a hostile work environment for Simone,’ Caferno said. “This just moves the hostile work environment to another location.”
You do intend to write the relevent authorities and demand these two thugs be fired, right?
Well, the “screaming for his resignation” might be true — however, such screaming is immediate for Republicans and has a twenty-year delay for Democrats. He didn’t say that he would be IMMEDIATELY “screaming for his resignation” …
How about the people who defended Patsy keith? Will you be issuing a call for their resignations as well?
Everyone who has defended ctkeith, I demand your resignation from whatever position you hold NOW!
OK, I’ll stop making comments for this evening. Multiple posts which are not friendly to Democrats are viewed as “trolling” around here, so I better stop now …
Good night, y’all.
DeLuca on his high standards of legislative ethics:
The affadavit on his eagerness to use his public office on behalf of a mob associate.
Here’s the full affadavit.
Patsy broke no Law and NEVER asked a mobster to “rough up” somebody.
Please Stop Defending the Indefensable. If DeLuca was a younger man he’d have to do time for what he did. I think he should spend a few years in jail regardless but our system today is so lax that he’ll get away with resigning instead.
Lou Deluca should at least lose his pension over this and be forced to resign in disgrace.Thats the very least he owes the people he betrayed,His constituents.
Don Pesci,
You really aren’t any better than that,are you?
All that education and the wordsmithing abilitiess and those deep Catholic convictions and you stand for Absolutely NOTHING.
Go read this link again Don and if you can come back here and compare two clerks rifling through another clerks desk to the Republican Minority Leader of the Senate Being in the hip pocket of the Mob I guess all those nuns and preists didn’t teach you a goddamned thing.
[quote comment="11158"][quote comment="11156"]ACR has made himself a public person by posting his name,address and phone number on this site all by himself.[/quote]
I remember you posted a Google Maps to his house.
Reminds me of the people who would advertise abortion doctor names and addresses. I’m sure you were against that though.[/quote]
Archie,
Actually it was the other way around.ACR posted a google map to my house.
I never posted ACRs identity or any other personal information on him here.
You can chime in any time GC, or the other Moderators
The silence from those who are suppose to lead this place is deafening!
okay okay… you probably serve Folgers.
ANYWAY…
NEWS FLASH!!!!
Just saw on CTN Dems voted against Gas Tax Holiday.
That is funny seeing that it was voted out by a wide margin when it was attached to their tax package.
I don’t think the DeLuca situation is comparable to anything cited here… it’s unique.
That’s because they never really wanted it to pass Bullhook. They hated it. It was just too popular to not address. They can now say they voted for it once though… typical cowardice.
Speaking of bullhooks, look who’s holding up the energy bill in the House tonight… Steve Fontana of North Stoning-haven…
Headless,
I call it Hypocrisy at its finest.
Heres a little tip for those FBI agents reading this Blog.
Loyalty of the magnitude shown here tonight usually comes as a result of economic gain, not righteousnous.
Based on his own statement I think DeLuca needs to resign. Most of us do not look to thugs to help us resolve our “personal issues.”
Hey Keith,
I called for DeLuca’s resignation before you did. Guess you missed it.
The conversation that your hero Rep. John Murtha had with FBI agents posing as Arabs who were attempting to bribe him is similar to that held between DeLuca and the agent who was trying to bribe him. Both refused the bribes. So then, as a righteous kind of a guy, when do you plan to write the Democrat Central Committee and call for Murtha’s resignation? Let’s keep my religion and the priests out of this one.
This should refresh your memory: “The Post report mentioned Murtha’s involvement in an FBI sting operation that involved agents posing as Arab sheiks. Following the vote for Majority Leader, the New York Times observed gravely in a stinging editorial, “The well-known shortcomings of Mr. Murtha were broadcast for all to see — from his quid-pro-quo addiction to moneyed lobbyists to the grainy government tape of his involvement in the Abscam scandal a generation ago. The resurrected tape — feasted upon by Pelosi enemies — shows how Mr. Murtha narrowly survived as an unindicted co-conspirator, admittedly tempted but finally rebuffing a bribe offer: ‘I’m not interested — at this point.’”
I think the FBI is too busy reading MyLeftNutmeg making notes on deviants.
Bullhook – they’re liars. But don’t take my word for it… see if you ever get that Gas Tax Holiday…
DeLuca’s days as a legislator are numbered. He should resign now….
On the energy bill front, I must say Shiny Steve is really winning them over with his adolescent, bratty ranting. What a buffoon this clown is.
Your right Headless I like liars better.
so the libbies on this board can BLATANTLY CALL other posters “chickenshit”, but i can’t say that one of them is ACTING LIKE a “total jerk-off” when he tries to convey a point? total bolsh.
[quote comment="11173"]You can chime in any time GC, or the other Moderators
The silence from those who are suppose to lead this place is deafening![/quote]
duchess, This is the sort of damp-eyed whining we just have to ignore. It comes from angry hateful types who can’t carry on a discussion without making it personal.
Wow! Fontana is working it!
He must be an incredible title searcher.
Pesci,
I’ve seen the 30 yr old tape and could care less. Murtha wasn’t arrested then or ever,was he?
If Murtha said this he’d still be in jail,
In Sept. 2006 an undercover federal agent, posing as a business associate of Galante, met with DeLuca. At that meeting DeLuca told the agent, “anytime [Businessman A] needs anything, anything, within my power, that I can do, I will do.” DeLuca then told the agent he was shocked when Galante was indicted because he “is not a careless guy.” Then DeLuca advised the agent that if they needed his assistance the best way to contact him is through a specific individual because “nobody knows [about] that relationship.”
The more you comment here the more I understand how worthless all that education you got really was.
Hi, my name is Rep. Steve Fontana. I went to an Ivy League school and all I got was this lousy title examiner job. What an embarassment. He doesn’t have the votes for his bill, give it up already.
[quote comment="11173"]You can chime in any time GC, or the other Moderators
The silence from those who are suppose to lead this place is deafening![/quote]
Huh? I went to the grocery store. What did I miss?
Are you all squabbling like children again? Who should I ban THIS time?
In case anyone is interested, here is the affidavit scanned and posted by Christine at CT News Junkie.
If all of this is true, he should resign.
This reminds me of Donnie Sellers… of course, he actually took the bag of fifties. No…wait… didn’t he sell his office for like $100?
Welcome back GC… did you get anything good at the store?
Corn. And ice cream!
From what I hear (and I’m not watching CT-N right now, so I can’t say for sure) Fontana is pretty annoyed that his bill has been so throughly compromised by the energy lobby.
If that’s the case, I don’t blame him. Here’s what he said:
That affidavit is revolting. What a disgrace.
Terry Backer is speaking now. ARGH! Is that a lobster trap under his desk?
This is a good time to look back at legislative arrests of the past…
State Senator Ernest Newton – DEMOCRAT: sentenced to five years in prison for accepting bribes and using campaign contributions for personal expenses. The self-proclaimed “Moses of [his] people” currently resides at Fort Dix, where he may or may not run into former Democrat Mayor of Bridgeport Joe Ganim, also serving time for corruption.
Frank DeJesus – DEMOCRAT: 2006 Candidate in the 3rd Assembly district in Hartford and ally of Mayor Perez was arrested on forgery, false statement, and falsely certifying oaths in connection with his attempts to pettition onto the ballot.
State Representative Barnaby Horton – DEMOCRAT: Paid a $10,000 fine plus given community service in connection with voter fraud in his primary against Rep. Ken Greene, trying to keep a legislative seat after his disappeared in redistricting in 2002.
State Representative Edwin Garcia – DEMOCRAT: Also a Hartford police officer, was prosecuted for accepting bribes in a food stamp scheme.
State Representative Donnie Sellers – DEMOCRAT: “I’m a politician. I ain’t turning anything down” said Sellers, as he accepted a $200 bribe from a federal agent in a sting operation. Sellers offered to smooth the way for the obtaining of a pistol permit.
State Representative Jefferson Davis – DEMOCRAT: molested his young foster son, currently residing on the state’s online sex offender registry.
So those who were earlier insinuating that other Republicans MUST be involved in what DeLuca is involved in (keith) you let me know which of any of the above your whole party was involved in.
Wow. Late night drama. Good to see them burning the midnight oil.
Hey Headless. Let’s get rid of all the bums. I’m glad we’re in agreement. And I still want to know what New Haven State Rep. Bill Dyson was thinking when he so quickly came to DeLuca’s defense. Dyson doesn’t even share the same chamber with DeLuca, for chrissake.
Did he do that? I hadn’t heard. weird…
Wow, what was that last amendment that went down so harshly?
Something tells me this isn’t going so well for Steve Fontana. Too bad. He’s an earnest, hard-working fellow.
Fontana is the reason we have been without an energy bill for nearly two years.
one of the main ones anyhow…
ctkeith, it’s impossible to take you seriously when you say things like:
“Lou Deluca was O-W-N-E-D by the MOB.”
As far as innocence or guilt is concerned, I have the full confidence in our courts to take care of that. Maybe someone will turn up and say that no, it didn’t really happen in the way that the Courant is reporting. (Maybe someone will turn up and say that no, William Jefferson didn’t have $90,000 in his freezer.) Either way, there’s nothing that mere speculation on a blog will do to resolve the factual issues.
I’ve met Sen. DeLuca. He’s a very devoted man, he loves his family very much and he is, without a doubt, smarter than any of you. (He’s a member of Mensa, for Christ’s sake.) Privately, he’ll probably admit that he made many a wrong decision on this issue, but I feel very comfortable saying that he was only concerned about his family throughout this entire ordeal. If he has to pay a price, so be it, but at least you can say that he cares more about his family than he does about his career.
Jack… good observations. Let’s see what ends up coming out. He deserves to be fairly judged.
I’ll probably get banned or deleted for saying it, but gee, isn’t nice to have CTKeith back again now that a Republican is in hot water?
Only thing is, I’m still waiting for CTK’s reaction to the indictment of the Democratic Party handed up by Cindy Sheehan … He seemed to duck into a spiderhole when that went down, and it’s only now that he’s back on the CLP boards …
Call me a troll for pointing it out … but I like to think of it as hypocrisy-spotting.
Dobb-
DeLuca goes to a trash hauler/reputed mobster, meets up in a diner, pases notes back and forth asking that a target “be paid a visit”, and there’s nothing wrong with that? What if DeLuca ewent so far as to put a hit out on the guy. Would that be “just protecting his family?”
You should go over to CTNewsJunkie and read the FBI undercover agent’s affidavit. It’s ugly and damning.
And I thought the Dems were the party of moral relativism… sheesh.
ps. DeLuca might not have been owned by the mob, but it sure lloks like he was willing to do business with them!
Headless … Let’s not forget Rep “Clarence” Clemons, who … umm … neglected to point out to prosecutors that he kinda sorta might have heard Ernie solicit a bribe …
And has anyone mentioned Rep. Kevin Ryan, who stayed in office while serving time in JAIL for repeated DWI. In. JAIL!!
I think Edith Prague was relatively silent on that one…
Red….
I agree…. CTKeith was AWOL during Cindy Sheehan’s meltdown and damnation of the Democrat Party but mysteriously has returned….
I read the DeLuca affidavit. Pretty damning, I must say.
It appears a desperate move by a concerned family at his wits end.
Nonetheless, a pretty dumb act that I’m sure he deeply regrets. I guess time will tell whether he survives (and in what role)…. but I don’t know, if it were me I’d resign.
Anon…
Not only was Edith (Wicked Witch of the Southeast) Prague silent on Ryan, she chauffered him to the capitol during the period his license was suspended.
Certainly wasn’t very christion (or whatever) of her to jump on DeLuca.
Isn’t she the same one who’s dog crapped in the LOB — and blamed it on a blind employee’s seeing-eye dog? DeLuca had the Capitol Police review the tape and clearly Edith’s pooch (not allowed in the building) was caught squatting.
Payback?
That is one unhappy lady.
[quote comment="11127"]JESUS H CHRIST,
Click on Ct News Junkies you clowns,She’s got more!!!!
Lou Deluca was O-W-N-E-D by the MOB.
The only question remaining now is how many other Republicans were in on the scheme!![/quote]
DeLuca isn’t on trial for any personal or professional associations with mobsters. He’s on trial for allegedly conspiring to arrange an assault for hire.
As to his association with Gallante, that’ not unexpected, given how tight-knit the Italian-American communtiy is. Politicians don’t have to broadcast every alliance. That’s up to them.
This should not be a R or a D issue. If any of this is true than Senator DeLuca should resign.
[quote comment="11191"]Pesci,
”
The more you comment here the more I understand how worthless all that education you got really was.[/quote]
Quit the ad hominem attacks. They add nothing constructive to the dialogue on this site and deter people from participating in the dialogue.
Rule #1: No insulting or bellitling other posters.
Tell me that the above-quoted statement doesn’t violate Rule #1
Rule #5: No personal stuff, folks. Keep it political.
How isn’t the above-quoted statement a personal attack?
I am starting to agree with some of the posters that the rules aren’t equitably enforced if statements like the one cited above are allowed to stand.
[quote comment="11211"]Dobb-
DeLuca goes to a trash hauler/reputed mobster, meets up in a diner, pases notes back and forth asking that a target “be paid a visit”, and there’s nothing wrong with that? What if DeLuca ewent so far as to put a hit out on the guy. Would that be “just protecting his family?”
You should go over to CTNewsJunkie and read the FBI undercover agent’s affidavit. It’s ugly and damning.
And I thought the Dems were the party of moral relativism… sheesh.
ps. DeLuca might not have been owned by the mob, but it sure lloks like he was willing to do business with them![/quote]
Keith,
Can you in good conscience affirm that you’ve never been associated with anyone tied in any way to crime? Have you ever hung out with anyone you knew possessed marijuana? We don’t live in a perfect world- and this is what you’re pretending.
Attacking DeLuca for being connected with Gallante ignores DeLuca’s right to freedom of association, protected by the Constitution. And if the business he did with the mob was legal, what of it? He can’t control the behavior of his associates, only himself.
Keith
“The resurrected tape — feasted upon by Pelosi enemies — shows how Mr. Murtha narrowly survived as an unindicted co-conspirator, admittedly tempted but finally rebuffing a bribe offer: ‘I’m not interested — at this point.’”
“If Murtha said this he’d still be in jail” – CtKeith
So, you think the New York Time and the Washington Post, hardly neo-con organs, got that one wrong eh?
Ya’ know, when someone tried this crap with Barry Goldwater, he told them to get the f*** out of his office and reported them to the FBI. Everybody knows that Murtha is lobbyist central; certainly the FBI knew it. But that doesn’t trip your bell, does it?
Here is the Murtha tape that CtKeith claims to have seen and discounted as of no importance.
Redfive,
This diary explains my feeling on Cindy Sheehan pretty well.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/5/30/1891/71123
Jack,
Thanks for the funniest comment of the night. I’m sure anyone who has ever seen DeLuca open his mouth and expel words got a big kick out of it.
No one else except the Courant and CT News Junkie appears to have bothered to read and reported on the affadavit.
Apparently, he would have been happy to take the bribe if he knew he would not be caught. And in any case, he was glad to use his political influence on behalf of a mobster. And he admits he knew Galante was associated with organized crime.
I would guess more investigations are in process. Hold on to your
seats it is going to be a great ride. I would not doubt these investigators
are looking at many more individuals.
J Baily said
As to his association with Gallante, that’ not unexpected, given how tight-knit the Italian-American communtiy is. Politicians don’t have to broadcast every alliance. That’s up to them.
Anyone here want on the R side of the aisle who happens to be of Italian decent want to straigten this guy out or are you happy to be allow this guy to stereotype all Italian-Americans as “connected”.
Headless … Let’s not forget Rep “Clarence” Clemons, who … umm … neglected to point out to prosecutors that he kinda sorta might have heard Ernie solicit a bribe …
86 | RedFive June 1st, 2007 at 11:09 pm Quote
Excellent point, RedFive.
And that brings us to Chris Healy’s mealy-mouthed apology in this morning’s J.I. for DeLuca’s associating with organized crime and DeLuca requestuing that a crime be committed:
“He was trying to remedy a personal family matter, and by his own admission, he made a terrible judgment,” Republican State Chairman Christopher Healy said. Healy added the arrest was certainly a serious situation, but he thought the senator should remain in his position because it involved a private issue. “I know he feels tremendous remorse over this,” Healy, a friend of DeLuca for more than 20 years, said. “He’s a good, honest man who was trying to protect his family.”
Add to the mix this comment from REPUBLICAN U.S. Atty Kevin O’Connor, as reported in yesterday’s early AP stories:
“When you approach someone who is alleged to be a member of organized crime or affiliated with organized crime and you ask for this help, and you slip a note to them in a diner as opposed to even having a conversation, I think it’s fair to draw an inference that you don’t exactly have the best of intentions,” U.S. Attorney Kevin O’Connor said Friday.
Now, remember, Lou DID NOT report his bribe attempt to state or federal authorities.
So let’s start the GOP cynicism/double standard stopwatch: How long until GOP Party Chairman Chris Healy and GOP House Minority Leader Larry Cafero call for a GAE or federal investigation into GOP Senate Minority Leader Lou DeLuca’s SILENCE on his attempted bribe, as they did in April with Clemons?
(See Healy’s April 5 blog entry: “This week, House Republican leader Larry Cafero and I asked for an investigation from Caruso and the leadership. Again, their response was the same – we have no jurisdiction or call the feds and ask them to look into it.”)
Anyone?
Amazing thread; Here’s a couple of points/unknowns for consideration:
- the incident that led to the arrest happened almost two years ago so it appears the feds were looking deeper at Lou but couldn’t come up with anything
- Lou was offered a bribe by an alleged associate of Galante who has since been indicted by the feds but Lou never reported the offer of the bribe to the authorities
- Lou seems to be talking without a lawyer – admitting the exchange with Galante happened yet nreportedly planning to plead not guilty on Monday when the case may be disposed of
- no details of the underlying alleged domestic violence incident have ever come forward yet for at least some period of time an undercover Trooper was posted outside the alleged abusers house
Thesea, this is about a man allegedly making a bad, bad mistake. So why do you capitalize O’Connor’s party affiliation? O’Connor is a professional and is doing his job.
pS: the statute of limitations on the charge against DeLuca is one year according to the NHR; I thought it was two; anyway, go figure.
http://www.nhregister.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18417615&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=590581&rfi=6
O’Connor didn’t charge DeLuca with anything; the charge is a state offense; the feds just happened to do the uncovering of the alleged offense that proably can’t be prosecuted due to the statuteof limitations, Dobb.
BTW, did anyone see this on the big corruption case that Morano grandstanded about right when Rell was first sworn in to replace Rowland; the case was always cronyism but never rose to the level of corruption!!
State Pays Senick $750,000
Connecticut Also Agrees To Drop Its Civil Case Against Former Police Major
http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-ctsenick0602.artjun02,0,3577034.story?coll=hc-headlines-local
Jack,
It’s just a little to obvious O’Conner allowed DeLuca to skate on this.It’s obvious by the statements in the arrest warrant that DeLuca was in on the CRRA scams that have been going on for years.The state got ripped of for what,250 million,from Enron and the creep Deluca was willing to appoint anyone the mob wanted to the CRRA board.
DeLuca should die in jail and the only reason he and Rowland are free today is because theres an R after every Federal Prosecutors name.
ctkeith:
People should be held accountable but wishing someone dies in jail is more a reflection of your own issues than wanting justice. You do more to bring down the level of discourse on this site than anyone else. Maybe you should take another electronic vacation.
>>REPUBLICAN U.S. Atty Kevin O’Connor
Only fairly recently.
A life long Dem prior to his run for congress.
and now right hand man for Bush’s lapdog, Alberto Gonzales; I’d say O’C is a full convert to the right of the GOP.
JOEY,
I’m tired of Pols,Both Ds and Rs getting less time at country club prisone for stealing millions and sometimes billions than a kid who sold some crack on a corner.
Justify to me John Rowland spending one lousy yr in prison.Our legal system is ecouraging pols to screw the public with their coddling of crooked politicians.Mandatory minimums for public officials of at least 5 yrs for all these creeps is in order not running to a rehab,saying they’re sorry and being a fox news or CNN “contributor” in a yr.
Drug convictions by law get sentances that go way beyond most other offenses. If you compare political corruption sentances with things like assaults, sexual assaults and assault on children you find that those sentances are realtively light when you consider the harm that has occuried. Comparing politcal corruption with drug offenses then I would agree that the sentances seem light. Comparing them to other crimes and I think they are, unfortunately, in-line.
Another thing to remember is most convicted of political corruption are first time offenders while most long sentances on the drug offenses are for individuals that have a significant criminal history.
Joey,
Corruption in government does more societal harm than all the drug cases combined. The reason the sentences are so light is because the criminals in corruption cases are usually prety well off white guys who look,act and are just like the pretty well off white guys administering our criminal justice system not because of the harm being done by their crimes.
A 10 yr minimum was at least what Rowland should have served.
CTkeith, you asked in post 100,
“Anyone here want on the R side of the aisle who happens to be of Italian decent want to straigten this guy out or are you happy to be allow this guy to stereotype all Italian-Americans as “connected”.
Keith as you know I tend to vote “R” say 70% of the time, and IMO my track record of those “D”’s I voted for the other 30% of the time has so far left me very unimpressed.
I am also 100% Italian from a hard working Italian immigrant family who came to this country from Italy with nothing. Nada, Zilch. Ougots!!!!!!! As did most of them/us. 99% of them worked hard. Family isn’t everything for us, it’s even more!!
I like the rest of us could not be more proud to be an AMERICAN FIRST!!!!!!!!!! and an Italian second!!!!!!!!!!! And certainly while we all love to act like wise guys from time to time, very few of us are Tony Soprano’s ….
In fact look at the world around us. From our food, our art, our fashion, our sense of style, fast cars, our passion, our beautiful language, and I’d proudly submit to anyone, the world would be a far poorer place without the positive impact Italians have had on it through out history.
Clearly we are not all connected to the mob, and I doubt many people really need that pointed out to understand that.
What this very sad and yes even sickening situation just points out to me is a simple fact. It seems the longer these guys stay in office the better the chances are they get “connected”……and far too many of them from both parties do….If not the mob, then some other special interest group that pulls their strings, legally, or other wise. The no longer represent those who voted for them first. They represent those who bankroll them first.
More than anything else this sad event just strengthens my belief we desperately need term limits in this state. The longer these guys stay in office the more they lose touch with the rest of us.
ACR,
Nice to see you’re still here.You still backing DeLuca “to the Hilt” and stand by this comment?
[quote comment="11128"]Of course I’m backing Senator DeLuca – and I will to the hilt too.
Anyone who knows me knows I’m never disloyal.
Besides, what right thinking American male wouldn’t have done the same thing given identical circumstances and the opportunity?[/quote]
ACR,
I just want to be sure.
[quote comment="11245"]DeLuca should die in jail [/quote]
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=13678
My point about O’Connor’s party affiliation was to note that this is not some kind of “political hack job” investigation.
Still waiting for Healy and Cafero to call for an investigation into why DeLuca didn’t report being bribed in exchange for legislative favors. It’s been almost a day now….
AL,
I grew up in Stamford and worked in the constuction industry there since I was old enough to walk. I was a laborer for an Italian stonecutter for 2 yrs and shared ALOT of homemade red wine , homemade sausage and every other wonderful delicacy everyone is always offered in an Italian home and even dated a few very wonderful Italian girls in my younger days and NOT ONE OF THEM was in any way “connected”.
Our state is lucky and proud to have a very large part of it’s population able to claim Italian decent and it’s not alright for someone to reinforce the stereotype that post was promoting even if that wasn’t the posters intention.
That was my point.I’m very happy you agree.
[quote post="589"]I grew up in Stamford and worked in the constuction industry there since I was old enough to walk.[/quote]
Sounds to me like you were so young that you didn’t have working papers and therefor your employer violated our labor laws. So it is you that has been associating with lawbreakers fo too long, ctkeith.
toucan,
Yeah, but my Dad was just tryig to keep me out of jail.lol
Even today you can work for your Dad no matter your age in the homebuilding trade.I could “nail off” a roof or a deck with a hammer and nails pretty dam quick by the time I was 10. We didn’t have nailguns back then and every stud had to have 4 ‘Toenails” in it.
The Architech:
Thanks for the great link at 116. It puts so many things into perspective.
Archie,
Tammy Bruce is a FREAK.
If tommorrow she thought there was more money to switch back to her old way of thinking she’d do that in a NY minute.
Come on now Toucan your post 119!!!!!
Did it ever occur to you maybe he didn’t learn to walk until he was about 18????
Sorry Keith I could not resist!!!
Hey I have room for 1 more at our table this coming Monday night at the Ponte Club in Waterbury…. If you have never done the 1st Monday in the month dinner there you have no idea what your missing!!!!! Talk about home made wine!!!
BTW keith your correct about an Italian home, and food…. If my 90 year old mother was still living at home she would have a pot of sauce on the stove all day….. Meatballs by 7AM, and no matter what time of the day you or any other person showed up it was dinner time…..
The first time my wife experienced the Sunday afternoon 4 hour dinner at our home she had to call her mother to explain that homemade pasta, antipasto, and a veal dish was just an appetizer…..For her it was a weeks worth of eating.
Of course she had no idea what about half of what she was eating actually was ( I told her it was veal and she didn’t question me!!!
.
[quote comment="11170"]Don Pesci,
You really aren’t any better than that,are you?
All that education and the wordsmithing abilitiess and those deep Catholic convictions and you stand for Absolutely NOTHING.
Go read this link again Don and if you can come back here and compare two clerks rifling through another clerks desk to the Republican Minority Leader of the Senate Being in the hip pocket of the Mob I guess all those nuns and preists didn’t teach you a goddamned thing.[/quote]
So a friendship with Gallante = being in the hip pocket of the mob?
This is another good example of what I was talking about with the level of discourse.
Tell me that the above-statement doesn’t smack of anti-Catholicism.
Rule #4 No going around starting fights for fun (trolling).
Tell me that this isn’t trolling- especially the second and last sentences.
Rule #1 No insulting or belittling other posters.
How aren’t the second and last sentences insulting? CtKeith is calling Don Pesci stupid, which is name calling.
You’d think folks never got out of the second grade, seriously.
It seems that all CtKeith can do to respond to substantive conservative arguments is launch ad hominem attacks. Even on the few occasions he makes substantive arguments, he can’t resist throwing in hominem attacks.
[quote comment="11275"]Archie,
Tammy Bruce is a FREAK.[/quote]
ctkeith, what a homophobic comment. I’m shocked.
You really need to read this part, so I’ll just paste it here since you probably refuse to read that article since you’re such an open-minded liberal:
“Part of my life, however, is still reflective of what I call my “old” life – my years of leadership in the feminist establishment and involvement in the gay-rights movement. This night, those two lives collided. As I cried after the interview because of the sadness of it and my own guilt and shame, I checked my phone messages. There was one from a gay male friend, whom I see infrequently these days but with whom I share some fun and important activist memories.
He had been watching the same interview, but he was cheering. “Woo hoo! It looks like we might be opening up that champagne sooner than later! I hope you were watching the Dragon Lady on “60 Minutes” tonight. I suppose with Alzheimer’s, he’s not suffering anymore, but it sure looks like she is! There is a God after all.”
I had never thought of my friend as an indecent person, just as I never thought of myself as one. But he really hates those two people and wishes them awful things. He believes he’s in the right and they’re wrong. He also believes that the questions that divide them are moral issues about life and death. The difference, however, is that I think it’s safe to say neither Nancy nor Ronald Reagan ever had a bottle of champagne in the fridge waiting for a gay man or a feminist to die. The Reagans, I’ll bet, don’t hoot and holler at someone else’s pain.
Mrs. Reagan’s humanity illustrated by counterpoint the soullessness of the Left. We, the Feminist and Gay Elites, inflicted on society narcissists’ biggest crime of all: We couldn’t see beyond our own interests and desires. We became indecent in defending our principles. …”
[quote comment="11277"]Tell me that the above-statement doesn’t smack of anti-Catholicism.[/quote]
You’re new here so I’ll let you in on a little secret, anti-catholic thoughts are front page posts on this blog, particularly by CGG.
J bailey,
Take your concern troll worries someplace else. Perhaps if you read Pesci’s blog (which would make him very happy and you one of ah very few) once in a while you’d know why he himself didn’t complain about that.
Archie,
Tammy Bruces sexuality has absolutely nothing to do with my calling her a freak. Her ability to mimic a chameleon in her political life does.
I predict within a 2 yrs she’ll have another epiphany( is it ok to use that word or is that anti-catholic) and jump so far to the left you won’t even recognize her.
You guys are pathetic. But at least via CLP you’ve been able to find each other!
[quote post="589"]DeLuca should die in jail [/quote]
Nice going, ctk. Care to back away from this one? That’ll help us filter the rest of your comments on this blog.
Ghengis, anyone… Don’t you think it’s time to enforce some rules around here?? I know it’s a nice day, and you’re probably outside, but this is poisonous.
[quote comment="11283"][quote post="589"]DeLuca should die in jail [/quote]
GC–
If this doesn’t cross the line, what does?
Back away? Not a chance!!
10 yrs is the least he deserves for his long association with the mob and his willingness to do “ANYTHING” these mobsters wanted done.DeLuca is not the nice old Catholic Grandpa he fooled you into thinking he is.He’s a Thug who was willing to screw every honest taxpaying citizen in this state for his own comfort and if he outlives a 10 yr sentence then I’ll “back away” from my statement.
I’ll never understand Why on earth Republicans coddle Republican criminals while at the same time want to throw the keys away on kids in the Juvinile court.It’s simply amazing.
Keith–
You are an embarassment.
Yep.
I went to a mobster because I wasn’t man enough to handle a situation with some punk beating on my dumbass granddaughter who wasn’t smart enough to dump the guy beating on her.
Yep,Im an embarassment and Lou DeLuca is still the minority leader and the #1 Republican in the Legislature and not one Republican here is Embarassed.He’s even being Supported by Healy and Republican State central committee member ACR who said This in a comment in this very thread
[quote comment="11128"]Of course I’m backing Senator DeLuca – and I will to the hilt too.
Anyone who knows me knows I’m never disloyal.
Besides, what right thinking American male wouldn’t have done the same thing given identical circumstances and the opportunity?[/quote]
Where’s your call for DeLuca to resign CT Dude and your call for ACR and Healy to at least have the good sense to demand the same.
Check out my post #88.
I said if it were me, I’d resign.
DeLuca, like everyone else, is entitled to due process. I hope he does the right thing, sooner than later.
But I don’t wish he, or Ganim, or Newton, or anyone else, “Die in Prison.”
[quote comment="11259"]Joey,
Corruption in government does more societal harm than all the drug cases combined. The reason the sentences are so light is because the criminals in corruption cases are usually prety well off white guys who look,act and are just like the pretty well off white guys administering our criminal justice system not because of the harm being done by their crimes.
A 10 yr minimum was at least what Rowland should have served.[/quote]
I’d disagree with you strongly Keith.
The harm caused by drug abuse was far more visible among the population of the “in transition” apartment building I once resided in, than any political misconduct. That’s, unless you’d consider allowing these miscreants get on welfare in the the first place political misconduct. Unfortunately, that’s not criminal, although it should be.
The reason why sentences are so high for drug crimes has to do with the strong correlation between drug abuse and a whole host of anti-social behaviors. And that’s the bottom line. The residents who used drugs were also the residents who were disrespectful neighbors: smoking all over the place- the lobby, the halls, and the elevator, blasting music well after midnight, urinating in the elevators, littering in the halls, and soliciting me for money on the way in the door. Even if you can’t see something wrong with drug abuse, I hope you can see something wrong with the behaviors that I’ve listed. These residents also were the residents who’d stand out on the highway ramp begging for money, claiming to be homeless, when they weren’t.
In the aggregate, the anti-social behaviors that correlate with drug abuse have significantly contributed to the decline of America’s cities.
How do the negative consequences did Rowland’s criminal corruption exceed the b/s I had to put up with in that building?
Regardless, Keith, you show your true colors a consequentialist in your statement. You should know better.
The emperor has no clothes!
Anyone else ready to dismantle dystopian, non-performing Great Society programs?
I said if he outlives a 10 yr sentence I’d back away from that statement but all you criminal coddling Republicans are going to make sure all he has to do is retire AFTER the session is over. I’m sure Healy and ACR will be members of the host committee for his retirement dinner and speak glowingly about this crook and the bar tab will be paid by the mob and Business as usual will continue in the land of Rowland/Rell.
You’ll even make sure he gets his taxpayer funded Pension and tommorrow bitch about the union guy who worked his ass off for 30 yrs to earn his.
J Baily,
I good 20% of goverment spending (all Gov Spending) is a direct result of Corruption in my opinion.The Republicans were able to gain control of Both houses of congress because of this but instead of cleaning it up they just shifted 10% to their side and added 5% more so now almost 25% of goverment spending has absolutely no real useful purpose.
[quote comment="11291"]I said if he outlives a 10 yr sentence I’d back away from that statement but all you criminal coddling Republicans are going to make sure all he has to do is retire AFTER the session is over. I’m sure Healy and ACR will be members of the host committee for his retirement dinner and speak glowingly about this crook and the bar tab will be paid by the mob and Business as usual will continue in the land of Rowland/Rell.
You’ll even make sure he gets his taxpayer funded Pension and tommorrow bitch about the union guy who worked his ass off for 30 yrs to earn his.[/quote]
Fundamentally, it’s a principle of law that you can’t punish people under ex-post-facto law. Again, this is America and we’re legal positivists. They vested into the pension according to the terms and conditions stated at the time. Should they have been more carefully vetted? Of course. But it’s wrong to take it away after the fact. Unless you’d be okay with GM, Ford, and the legacy carriers cutting retiree benefits to reflect different business conditions.
Here’s the other part of it- what do you do with the money that folks have contributed to the pension plan? Do you cut them a check for principal plus interest? Ultimately, that’s their money in there.
But so I’m not at all against union guys getting their pensions. They negotiated them fair and square. I’m also not against Rowland getting his pension because he vested into the pension scheme fair and square. If loss of pension was to be a possible sanction for misconduct, it should have been stated up front. Same thing with the unions. If Ford and GM wanted to leave the door open to renegotiating pensions because of changed market condiditions, it should have been part of the contract. You snooze, you lose. Certainly that’s the case for GM and Ford- market conditions changed. Their product became less desirable and less valuable. That’s what they get for producing garbage. No one *has* to be their product, and if they can’t make it compete for quality, cost of safety folks vote with their feet.
That’s the general lesson. Just because you’re riding high one day, doesn’t mean its gonna be forever.
[quote comment="11291"]I said if he outlives a 10 yr sentence I’d back away from that statement but all you criminal coddling Republicans are going to make sure all he has to do is retire AFTER the session is over. I’m sure Healy and ACR will be members of the host committee for his retirement dinner and speak glowingly about this crook and the bar tab will be paid by the mob and Business as usual will continue in the land of Rowland/Rell.
You’ll even make sure he gets his taxpayer funded Pension and tommorrow bitch about the union guy who worked his ass off for 30 yrs to earn his.[/quote]
Isnt’ ten years a bit harsh for a misdemeanor?
I have heard more than one CT Superior Court Judge and Prosecutor say that someone should die in jail but it’s wrong for ctkeith to say that? OK
As for the pension stuff, I don’t beleive that state pensions are defined contribution pensions, they are defined benefit pensions last I knew. Bailey’s argument may still hold but it sure is weaker when that fact is introduced.
[quote comment="11292"]J Baily,
I good 20% of goverment spending (all Gov Spending) is a direct result of Corruption in my opinion.The Republicans were able to gain control of Both houses of congress because of this but instead of cleaning it up they just shifted 10% to their side and added 5% more so now almost 25% of goverment spending has absolutely no real useful purpose.[/quote]
I wouldn’t disagree that there’s a lot of pork because of corruption. But compare “having a higher tax bill” vs. “dealing with anti-social junkies daily”. Much as I hate being stiffed on my tax bill, it pales in comparison to the junkies I used to deal with.
PS ctkeith: I remember when Hershey Bars were bigger and only cost a nickel – and they were made from real chocolate, too!!!!!!
[quote comment="11296"]I have heard more than one CT Superior Court Judge and Prosecutor say that someone should die in jail but it’s wrong for ctkeith to say that? OK
As for the pension stuff, I don’t believe that state pensions are defined contribution pensions, they are defined benefit pensions last I knew. Bailey’s argument may still hold but it sure is weaker when that fact is introduced.[/quote]
Even a defined benefit is a reasonable expectancy under law. The conditions for fulfillment are clearly agreed upon. You have offer consideration and acceptance. Upon vesting, the pension becomes a reasonable expectancy. I don’t disagree with changing the law for the future- for employees hired from 2007 onward. My issue is changing the terms of the thing for already hired employees.
Did these judges tell folks that they’d die in jail or that they’d spend the rest of their lives in jail? Subtle but important difference
“(I hope you die) in prison”
“I hope you spend the rest of your life in prison”
See how the syntax in the first sentence emphasizes the phrase I bracketed. That’s the problem- we should never hope that anyone dies anywhere, anytime, anyhow.
It’s a subtle but important difference.
A defined benefit contribution plan also assumes that you do the job you are paid to do and don’t rip off your employer, aka the taxpayer.
The prosecutors and the judges used the word “die” or I wouldn’t remebered it. CT has some real neandrathals on the bench and appearing before it – one once even had the same last name as yours!!!
[quote comment="11223"][quote comment="11211"]Dobb-
DeLuca goes to a trash hauler/reputed mobster, meets up in a diner, pases notes back and forth asking that a target “be paid a visit”, and there’s nothing wrong with that? What if DeLuca ewent so far as to put a hit out on the guy. Would that be “just protecting his family?”
You should go over to CTNewsJunkie and read the FBI undercover agent’s affidavit. It’s ugly and damning.
And I thought the Dems were the party of moral relativism… sheesh.
ps. DeLuca might not have been owned by the mob, but it sure lloks like he was willing to do business with them![/quote]
Keith,
Can you in good conscience affirm that you’ve never been associated with anyone tied in any way to crime? Have you ever hung out with anyone you knew possessed marijuana? We don’t live in a perfect world- and this is what you’re pretending.[/quote]
Hey J. Bailey.
No, I HAVE NEVER GONE TO A MOBSTER FOR A FAVOR, AND THEN SWORN MY ALLEGIANCE IN RETURN.
Good lord, your ability to equivocate is off-the-charts.
DeLuca is a ranking politician with immense political power, (that is supposed to be exercised in the public interest.) He goes to Gallante for help with a “personal” matter, the help that he solicits amounts to a crime, and as payment for the favor, he promises to do what ever he can to help the mobster in return?!?
And you pretend this is as harmless as consorting with a known pot-smoker?
Please get real….
[quote comment="11302"]The prosecutors and the judges used the word “die” or I wouldn’t remebered it. CT has some real neandrathals on the bench and appearing before it – one once even had the same last name as yours!!![/quote]
Interesting. I sat in on a murder trial that Judge Koletsky presided over. From what I saw, he was very capable. Particularly with evidence, he was excellent. He knew the rules of evidence like no tomorow; there weren’t any careless mistakes on his part. He didn’t put up with grandstanding by the lawyers- prosecutors or defense. He wasn’t afraid to scold a lawyer who didn’t have his act together, either.
That’s probably not the most professional thing to say. There’s nothing that makes that kind of statement illegal, but it’s still in bad taste.
[quote comment="11303"][quote comment="11223"][quote comment="11211"]Dobb-
DeLuca goes to a trash hauler/reputed mobster, meets up in a diner, pases notes back and forth asking that a target “be paid a visit”, and there’s nothing wrong with that? What if DeLuca ewent so far as to put a hit out on the guy. Would that be “just protecting his family?”
You should go over to CTNewsJunkie and read the FBI undercover agent’s affidavit. It’s ugly and damning.
And I thought the Dems were the party of moral relativism… sheesh.
ps. DeLuca might not have been owned by the mob, but it sure lloks like he was willing to do business with them![/quote]
Keith,
Can you in good conscience affirm that you’ve never been associated with anyone tied in any way to crime? Have you ever hung out with anyone you knew possessed marijuana? We don’t live in a perfect world- and this is what you’re pretending.[/quote]
Hey J. Bailey.
No, I HAVE NEVER GONE TO A MOBSTER FOR A FAVOR, AND THEN SWORN MY ALLEGIANCE IN RETURN.
Good lord, your ability to equivocate is off-the-charts.
DeLuca is a ranking politician with immense political power, (that is supposed to be exercised in the public interest.) He goes to Gallante for help with a “personal” matter, the help that he solicits amounts to a crime, and as payment for the favor, he promises to do what ever he can to help the mobster in return?!?
And you pretend this is as harmless as consorting with a known pot-smoker?
Please get real….[/quote]
Is it the kind of quid-pro-quo you describe? Or are DeLuca and Gallante long-time friends? We should wait for the trial.
Ultimately, DeLuca isn’t being prosecuted for coruption. He’s being prosecuted for conspiracy. Much as we see a possible conspiracy, etc. we can’t tack punishment on for it if it isn’t going to trial.
DeLuca’s guilt or innoncence appears to turn on the meaning of the word “bitch-slapped”. There’s something kinda funny about that.
You don’t know when DeLuca’s friendship with Gallante began- relevant evidence for making a determination.
And ultimately, that’s what morality shows- that we must be slow to judge and leave the judgement to a just authority: the courts.
I don’t make contingent condemnations; only on the basis of substantiated fact.
Sure, Mr. Bailey. The two have a “meet” in the diner, and instead of having a conversation about their criminal plottings, they pass notes back-and-forth. Then the bit in the affadavit where DeLuca tells the undercover FBI guy, that he’ll do whatever he can to help out Galante, and mentions CRRA and appointments….
But these facts don’t matter to the question of whether or not he should remain in office, or give up his leadership position? The only thing that matters is if he gets convicted?
Look, you can spew whatever bull-crap you want. But the writing is on the proverbial wall. DeLuca is done for. Whether you want to open your eyes and realize the fullness of the situation is up to you.
And again, no Democrat has wanted to go after DeLuca, because he is such a doddering old fool. It will be sad to see him go….
JBaily,
Here’s a copy of a comment I made on MLN
Lou Deluca should remain Unopposed (4.00 / 1)
Until he either croaks or retires.He’s the gift that keeps giving,to Democrats,LMAO.
——————————————————————————–
by: ctkeith @ Tue May 29, 2007 at 12:53:10 PM EDT
I think DeLuca is a perfect for the face of the Ct. Republican Party. Now that it’s public knowledge that he’s also owned by the mob He’s even more perfect as the Face of the Ct. Republican Party.
KEEP LOU ALIVE may be the sign I carry on Monday at the LOB.
KEEP LOU ALIVE!
Galante and DeLuca were just friends, doing what friends do, — exchanging “favors”!
KEEP LOU ALIVE!
“Perhaps if you read Pesci’s blog (which would make him very happy and you one of ah very few) once in a while you’d know why he himself didn’t complain about that.” CtKeith
There are lots of reasons for not complaining about you Keith, and you got this one wrong too. A perfect score. The most telling point against DeLuca was made by thesea: “Now, remember, Lou DID NOT report his bribe attempt to state or federal authorities.” The same may be said of Murtha, Keith’s white knight.
DeLuca needs to step down from his leadership role. Stay as a senator for the time-being. The Republicans need a new Senate leader ASAP. DeLuca is now a MAJOR PROBLEM for Connecticut Republicans.
To the lefties who have been saying this type of thing all day, I’m sorry to have been so slow to see the gravity of what DeLuca is doing to the Republicans and to politics in Connecticut in general. Apparently, I don’t take you very seriously and my immediate reaction to your extremist comments is as though you only offer fluff. I now realize that you were immediately correct with your evaluation of DeLuca’s actions.
This better not simply be the tip of the iceberg …
KEEP LOU ALIVE,
Don.
Which one of these guys is your “Godfather”?
I’m just asking because from ACRs comments in this thread one has to assume that evey Republican has one .
As to Murtha he was every bit as stupid as you when it comes to the war. For the first couple of years he was held up by Republicans as an expert on Defense and a true American hero until he FINALLY figured out just how incompetent this administration and our military brass are and that their incompetence meant we lost any ability to “win” over there.So please don’t color Murtha, whom was the Rights “white Knight” as to having any relationship with me.
KEEP LOU ALIVE
”Don.
“Which one of these guys is your “Godfather”?
“I’m just asking because from ACRs comments in this thread one has to assume that every Republican has one.”
I’ll tell’ya, you are the eighth wonder of the world, aren’t ya?
Okay, Keith. I’ll take your question seriously, just this once. I wouldn’t want to make a habit of it.
All Italians – expect those who are splitsville with the Catholic Church – have Godfathers. Mine was my mother’s brother, a very kind man named John Mandirolla.
If you wanted over to Windsor Locks, you might spend a day in Pesci Park, named after my father – who built all the parks in Windsor Locks. I’m pleased to say I’m old enough to have helped him do this. Although Frank Pesci was Windsor Lock’s first Park Commissioner, he never accepted a single penny for anything he did for the town.
I’ll tell you why Keith: Because a) he was Italian, very likely the most honorable man I’ve ever met’ and b) he was a Catholic.
Now then, while most Italians have godfathers, not all Italians are Republicans. Therefore, your assertion “one has to assume that every Republican has one” is rooted in a faulty premise. Not that faulty premises bother you too much. Your comments are rife with them.
Usually they have a point. But I confess that this one is so subtle that I’m having a problem getting it.
You cannot possibly mean to suggest that I am in some sense dishonorable because I am a) Italian, b) a Catholic or c) a Republican. You’re not suggesting that, are you Keith Crane?
As to the war, I happen to agree with you that the Bush administration prosecuted it incompetently. I’m not sure what the link to DeLuca might be here. And you know something – I really don’t want to know, because you appear to have a problem in the area of linkage.
My Murtha/DeLuca linkage is fairly direct: Neither of them reported that attempts were made to bribe them. This is wrong. It is wrong whether it happened thirty years ago or yesterday. But I’ve already said that. Gotta go, have a nice daydream.
KEEP LOU ALIVE
Don,
Not THAT Godfather.I meant the one you go to when you need “a Favor” like having someone “bitchslapped”.
Heres ACRs litle comment in case you missed it.[quote comment="11128"]Of course I’m backing Senator DeLuca – and I will to the hilt too.
Anyone who knows me knows I’m never disloyal.
Besides, what right thinking American male wouldn’t have done the same thing given identical circumstances and the opportunity?[/quote]
Don,
Now Don,
I just assumed by this comment from a voting member of the Republican State Central Committee that since any”right thinking American male” would do the the identical thing (and I’m certain ACR thinks you’re one of those) that would mean all you as a “right thinking American Male” must have relationships with wiseguys/Godfathers just in case you need someone “bitchslapped”.
I’m very sorry if ACR insulted you but I must have missed the post where you berated him for that comment and asked him to resign from the Republican State Central Committee.
KEEP LOU ALIVE
I think we’re both waiting you you to write a letter to the DNC asking for the resignation of Murtha. Would you like some help with it?
Yes… where is that letter ?
KEEP ABSCAM ALIVE!
BTW Don, I am a regular reader of your blog, and I greatly enjoy it.
ctkeith and TrueBlueCT:
Be careful what you wish for. Before his indictment, Galante was honored by the Italian-American Caucus, which (as you no doubt know) contains more Democrats than Republicans.
Let me ask you this: do you (naively) think that Galante has never done a “favor” for a Democrat, too?
This investigation is just beginning, and what turns up may surprise us all.
DeLuca got Galante that honor from the IA caucus, Dobb, after Galante gave 100K to DeLuca’s favorite charity. just a little balance of info.
Jack Dobb,
Unlike the Republican Members of state Central here,the Republican Staffers,Chris Healy and Gov. Rell I promise that if the FBI has a tape of ANY Dem in CT promising any other Trash Hauler/ Mobster that they’ll do “ANYTHING” for that mobster I’ll demand he or she resign and make just as much noise as I can.
I’m embarassed Williams ,Amann and the rest of the Democrats haven’t asked for DeLucas resignation more loudly already and think Dyson is a disgrace.
I’m waiting for Tom Gaffey and Chris Donovan to call for Delucca’s resignation from their morally and ethically superior legislature, just as they did with State Central Committee member Patsy Papandrea in no time flat. If Papandrea should step down for forwarding a hackneyed email that now paints him an alleged racist, they must really be holding their noses over DeLuca. That rush to judgment should be any moment now….
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