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Corbett withdraws Twitter subpoena
Facing a raft of criticism from Democrats and civil liberties advocates, Attorney General Tom Corbett has withdrawn his subpoena seeking information about two Twitter users who post fiercely critical missives about him on the micro-blogging service.
The Post-Gazette reports that Corbett, the Republican nominee for governor, called off the subpoena because prosecutors no longer need to know the identities behind the Twitter accounts. It is increasingly believed by prosecutors and political watchers that the holder of at least one account—and author of a blog by the same name CassablancaPA—is Brett Cott, a former legislative aide convicted on three of 42 counts in Corbett’s Harrisburg corruption probe, though Cott’s attorney has said no evidence has been presented to substantiate the claim. The state Attorney General’s office had signaled it wanted the identities to demonstrate that Cott showed no remorse and should get a tougher sentence. But Cott was sentenced to 21 to 60 months in prison on Friday making it a moot point.
A deputy attorney general told the newspaper that Corbett’s office was not looking to violate anyone’s First Amendment rights, reiterating that the subpoena was issued for “legal reasons, allowed by law. They had nothing to do with bloggers or tweets of people.”
The American Civil Liberties Union had planned to represent the two Tweeters targeted by the subpoena, and Twitter itself was fighting the subpoena. The short-lived incidental has emboldened Democrats in their efforts to paint Corbett as using his office for political gain. Dan Onorato, the party’s gubernatorial nominee, offered up his most pointed criticism of Corbett in a statement Friday.
“When I get attacked—whether on anonymous blogs, in campaign ads or in editorials—I respond on the facts, which Corbett has not done in this case,” Onorato said. “Moreover, while it is fine to note the motivations of a critic, it is not acceptable to attempt to bully them into silence—and that’s what Tom Corbett appears to be doing: petty and abusive bullying of a critic. Part of being an executive is dealing with the criticism that comes with making tough decisions.
“This is another example of Tom Corbett politicizing the Attorney General’s office to benefit his campaign,” he added, “the same Harrisburg-insider tactics that Pennsylvanians are tired of and that I will end as governor.”
May 21, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Tags: Dan Onorato, Tom Corbett
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john
May 21st, 2010
This is why people shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Go tom go.
Fleetwood Dem.
May 21st, 2010
oh please, he’s as nutty as a cashew
Convicted Felon Robert ( Asher's Candies ) Asher Corbetts Sponsor and Mentor Must have told Corbett To Back Off
May 21st, 2010
This has Bob Asher written all over it Why is An Attorney General Cavorting with a Convicted Felon Like Bob Asher Come on Tom Drop Asher Like a Hot Potato
wpadem
May 21st, 2010
He backed down because of politics. Period. He’s an out of control nutjob who sees nothing wrong with abusing his power and his office.
(Oh no…another subpoena is coming…)
BB
May 21st, 2010
Anyone in this state who supports this man for governor ought to be banished from living in the state. Absolutely an awful person NOT putting the interests of his constituents ahead of his own.
suburban dem
May 21st, 2010
Corbett is a disgrace. He is an embarrassment to our state.
onenastybeast
May 22nd, 2010
Wow. Democrats condemning the Republican candidate for governor. Shocking!
waiting for PA change
May 22nd, 2010
Pick your battles and stay on offense.Beat them at their own game.Do not provoke the libtards and stay on message.The path to bring conservatism back to PA and the USA is here.
Tom Corbett is the best choice to bring Pennsylvania back to being a great state.
CORBETT IS ONE BIG FAT BULLY
May 22nd, 2010
You dont come off of a stage and assult somone and expect to win for Governor Corbett is trying very Hard to Lose this Election
Joe
May 22nd, 2010
The Pittsburgh papers are killing Onorato on this thing. This has backfired on him big time!
Lee Levan
May 22nd, 2010
Joe
Did you mean that the Pittsburgh papers are killing Corbett about this? How is Onorato involved?
Jake
May 22nd, 2010
I kind of hope Onorato wins. Let him tax everyone and everything, while the budget skyrockets out of control. Let it all burn!!! Then when the liberals in this state are crying about their property taxes I’ll give them the middle finger and say “YES WE CAN!!!” If people think Fast Eddie is dirty, wait until they see Disco Dan. These idiots disgust me.
Wood 4 SCOTUS
May 22nd, 2010
As attorney general, I gave Tom Corbett a lot of slack about whether or not he was politicizing his office. I mean, Mike Veon is guilty as sin, but…
What about the federal indictment of the Orie sisters that Corbett passed on? The senator, hte judge, the assistant, and I forget which one of those did Corbett date in high school?
Criticism isn’t a punishable offense Tom. Get over it. Go Onorato.
Joanne
May 22nd, 2010
The Asher thing is puzzling. Why is a crook in charge of the AG’s campaign for governor? Tom doesn’t need him or the liability. Plus Asher was for Meehan. No loyalty there. Asher is bad news.
alpa
May 22nd, 2010
I read somewhere – maybe that great blog CasablancaPA – that an Orie brother works for Corbett – how helpful for PA Repubs.
Even after 15 Orie staffers complained about the abuse/misuse of campaign/legislative resources.
Corrupt Corbett is too Nixonian for PA.
Press Needs To Ask Corbett About Convicted Felon Robert ( CANDY MAN ) Asher
May 22nd, 2010
Asher’s Candies Owned by Robert Asher the Convicted Felon Corbett is a wholly Owned subsidiary of Felon Robert Asher Remember R Bud Dwyer Blew He Brains out Because of Robert Asher’s Scheme I Know a Guy who was President Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania Asher also Shook him Down for 20 K An Attorney General should not be under the Control of a Convicted Felon Where is the Press on this You dont hear BOO from the press about Convicted Felon Robert Asher Asher Will demand Contracts from Corbett Probably already does Whats wrong with this Picture
Crooked Cott
May 23rd, 2010
21 to 60 and him and his cronies get to keep my money.Corbett could have done a better job at punishing the crook, rather than letting him get away with laughing at the court on his lil old anonymous blog.
If Cott didnt hide behind a computer screen, and say what he meant during the trial he would probably be charged with contempt of court. I do however give Corbett a thumbs up for his efforts to trying to bring the rat out of hiding.
Watch This Video Corbetts Boss Robert Asher Caused this
May 23rd, 2010
http://www.documentingreality.com/forum/f166/r-budd-dwyer-commits-suicide-during-news-conference-hi-quality-11738/
Robert Asher Caused this
May 23rd, 2010
http://www.ilovepwnage.com/video.php?v=MzY1Ng==
Why woukld the Republicans Support a Guy For Governor
May 23rd, 2010
Who takes orders from a guy That Caused another Guy To shoot Himself in the Head Riddle Me This
Sam
May 24th, 2010
Yeah, I wonder about the Asher connection too. Remember when Rudy was being backed by the Felon Asher? ABC News did an expose on it and Rudy fell off the map. Can’t be a hard charging crime fighter when the person running the campaign is a criminal who went to jail, not for DUI or something, but for POLITICAL CORRUPTION! Tom: this does not look right. You distanced yourself from that DeNaples crook, now jettison Asher!
Delco Blue Dog
May 24th, 2010
I thought a Grand Jury was to find a crime(s) not to help the ag out his political critics.
Doesn’t the use of this much power in this way scare anyone( non-crooks) ?