So Chet Orelli Jr. will hang around on New Castle City Council.
Ditto for his position as an aide in the office of state Rep. Jaret Gibbons.
But at least those advocating accountability in government can take comfort in the fact Orelli says he will return the $10,000 bonus he received in 2006. That money has been tied to Harrisburg’s legislative bonus scandal.
Orelli was awarded that bonus while working in the office of former state Rep. Mike Veon, a key figure in the scandal and one of a dozen people charged this month by the state attorney general’s office as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
Orelli provided grand jury testimony in the probe — after receiving immunity from prosecution. That testimony helped to flesh out an operation within Harrisburg’s House Democratic caucus that made extensive use of legislative staffers to engage in partisan political activity on government time and using government resources and equipment.
There hasn’t been a great deal of outrage expressed over Orelli’s situation. Certainly, Orelli’s fellow public officials are in a forgiving mood.
As for average citizens, there have been very few calls for Orelli’s resignation from council. But maybe there’s not much in the way of high expectations for elected officials in the community any more.
Orelli was involved in a conspiracy that was breathtaking in scope, according to details provided by grand jury presentments. Investigators claim the plot included tracking the activities of 458 caucus employees in terms of how much political work they did.
Government computers and programs were used to record political performance. Activities ranged from going door to door in support of specific candidates to conducting opposition research into political foes — Republican and Democrat alike.
What’s outlined in the grand jury presentments (with promises of more gory details to come) isn’t your run-of-the-mill political sleaze. Instead, the presentments describe nothing less than an exercise in organized crime. This was a racket that siphoned millions of tax dollars to fund the political ambitions — and private preferences — of those involved in the plot.
And Orelli enjoyed a front-row seat to the show, courtesy of his post in Veon’s office.
After ducking repeated calls from the New Castle News for more than a week, Orelli was at city council’s work session Tuesday. He said he would remain on council because, “I want to finish what I ran to do.” Whatever that is.
Orelli will serve out his council term, which runs through 2009, with a cloud hanging over him. And who knows what other revelations are coming from the attorney general and investigating grand juries?
It’s astonishing that this is simply political business as usual for New Castle.
Closer Look
Related Photos
Discussion
OUR OPINION: Orelli hangs on
- Closer Look
-
-
Mohawk students study at children’s center
Six Mohawk High school seniors are gaining extra knowledge outside the classroom. The students are participating in projects this term at the Oh Wow! Roger and Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science and Technology in Youngstown.
-
Lincoln to stage Shakespeare send-up
Lincoln High School will present the play “I Hate Shakespeare” at 7 p.m. tomorrow and Thursday in the auditorium. The play takes a comedic look at some of William Shakespeare’s greatest plays, such as “Hamlet,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “Macbeth.”
-
Best Super Bowl ad? Vote for your favorite
Naked M&Ms, an out-of-shape dog on a mission and Clint Eastwood delivering a passionate speech about American adversity -- these are among the favorite commercials that aired during Sunday's Super Bowl.
-
SLIDESHOW: Giants beat Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI
The New York Giants won their fourth NFL championship Sunday in Indianapolis, scoring in the final minute to defeat New England 21-17.
-
Sneak peek at this year's hottest Super Bowl ads
The Super Bowl is a must-watch TV event, if not for the outcome of the biggest football game of the year, then at least for the multi-million dollar commercials that run throughout. And this year’s buzzworthy spots include celebrity appearances, homages to movies and lots of humor.
-
VIDEO: NFL Experience a hit with Super Bowl fans
The NFL's interactive theme park pre-sold more than 65,000 tickets for Super Bowl week and has become the destination of choice for visitors to Indianapolis.
-
SLIDESHOW: Madonna hypes Super Bowl halftime show
Madonna answers questions from the media during a news conference to hype the halftime show for Super Bowl XLVI.
-
VIDEO: Social media command center helps Super Bowl visitors
Indianapolis is the first Super Bowl host city to utilize the power of Twitter and other social media to help football fans get the most out of football's biggest event.
-
SLIDESHOW: Super Bowl by the numbers
The nation's biggest sporting event produces some staggering statistics, from the number of chicken wings consumed -- 1.25 billion -- to the amount of money some people plan to bet on the game.
-
NFL Play 60 Kids Day gets them moving
It was kids, kids and more kids Wednesday at the Indiana Convention Center, as 38 classrooms of fifth- and sixth-graders enjoyed a morning at the NFL Experience, courtesy of the NFL’s Play 60 Challenge.
- More Closer Look Headlines
-
