Montgomery County, PA's D.A. is forming a public corruption unit? Where was this like five years ago? Two years ago? One year ago? Is this something that citizens can use to have a good "look see" into Lower Merion? To check out who works for whom really? To see who should have recused themselves over something and didn't? To see who could have really done more for the plurality when they had the chance and didn't? To see what agendas are going on behind the scenes? Is this needed in Lower Merion? Will all those conspiracy theories now have a home?

Pick a peck of pickled politicians present and past, people?

(The possibilities are endless unless of course this is just another crock of crud and political ploy.)
MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
COURT HOUSE, NORRISTOWN, PA., BOX 311, 19404-0311
PHONE (610) 278-3090 FAX (610) 278-3095
DISTRICT ATTORNEY: RISA VETRI FERMAN
FIRST ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY: KEVIN R. STEELE
CHIEF COUNTY DETECTIVE: OSCAR P. VANCE, JR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2008
DA Ferman Announces Creation of Public Corruption Unit

District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman announced today that she has formed a Public Corruption Unit to investigate and prosecute cases involving abuses of power should they occur within Montgomery County. Heading the Unit will be Assistant District Attorney Samantha Cauffman, who was recently promoted to Team Captain. ADA Cauffman will report directly to First Assistant District Attorney Kevin R. Steele on matters relating to the Public Corruption Unit. Detective/Lieutenant Mark A. Bernstiel will be assigned to provide investigative support as needed. Among his other accomplishments, Lt. Bernstiel heads up the Special Investigation Unit and is experienced in all manner of wiretap and grand jury investigations. Lt. Bernstiel formerly headed up the elite CLEAN Unit in Norristown.

“With all I see reportedly going on in Washington, Harrisburg and Philadelphia, I understand people’s outrage when it comes to public corruption,” DA Ferman said. Our residents must know that there is an office in Montgomery County where they can raise their concerns, where those concerns will be taken seriously, and where nobody need fear official retribution.” “The public has lost confidence in many of their elected leaders and in government as a whole. We want to do what we can to help restore that confidence in government at the local and county level,” said Ferman

Times Herald:DA creates corruption unit
By: MARGARET GIBBONS, Times Herald Staff08/12/2008

COURTHOUSE - Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman Monday announced the creation of a new investigation unit designed, with the help of the public, to ferret out public corruption.

Generally, the unit will probe complaints from the public regarding elected officials or people in positions of trust who may have violated the public trust for their own financial benefit or simply for power, according to Ferman.

The unit will investigate theft-based crimes, abuse of authority and ethics violations, she said.

While the office has always investigated public corruption, a specific unit has not been assigned to the task....."I feel it is important that our residents know that there is an office in Montgomery County where they can raise their concerns, where those concerns will be taken seriously and where nobody need fear official retribution," said Ferman.

Too often members of the public "feel something is just not right" but do not know how to address those issues, she said. Now, she continued, they will have a place to voice concerns about public corruption.

"I want this office to be pro-active," Ferman emphasized. ~
Ferman, a Republican, emphasized her office will handle complaints about Republicans and Democrats equally.

Hmmmm.......