Onorato Blasts Corbett’s Use of AG’s Office to Intimidate Critics

By ONORATO FOR GOVERNOR

PITTSBURGH: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Onorato today today criticized Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett today for subpoenaing Twitter so he can expose anonymous bloggers who have been critical of him, the latest in his ongoing pattern of misusing the power of his office to intimidate his critics and benefit his campaign for Governor. Onorato’s statement is below:

“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. 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. Running the state’s second-largest county, I’ve balanced the budget and reformed government while the critics and the special interests fought against me. Tom Corbett’s lack of real leadership experience is showing when he tries to use our legal system to intimidate those who criticize him.”

“This is another example of Tom Corbett politicizing the Attorney General’s office to benefit his campaign — the same Harrisburg-insider tactics that Pennsylvanians are tired of and that I will end as governor.”

“First, he pandered to the right wing by using our tax dollars in a lawsuit to stop national health care reform, under the pretense of protecting the Constitution. Now he’s going after the First Amendment. The hypocrisy is stunning, and his willingness to misuse his office is disturbing.”

This is not the first time questions have been raised about Corbett’s overreaction to criticism.

The Philadelphia Daily News reported that earlier this year, after state Representative John Galloway was critical of Corbett’s politicization of his office, Corbett confronted the Representative at a budget hearing and after exchanging “sharp words”, sent agents to the Representative’s office demanding Galloway “produce evidence of corruption that [the Bonusgate] investigation had missed.” [4/9/10]

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