More Delco Shenanigans

More Delco Shenanigans - Justice Delayed is Justice Denied by rzklkng on October 19, 2006 - 4:59pm So, here's the cliff notes - allegedly, a Darby Township employee, during the workday, was observed by a campaign worker for the Casey Roncaglione campaign for state representative stealing legally placed signs from the lawns of township residents. After a police investigation, the District Attorney, Jackson M. Stewart, Jr., and a three-week period to examine the charges (which naturally would be after the election, conveniently enough). Furthermore, the police refuse to release the police report. I present to you below, the original post from Casey's blog about the incident, an email I received from the campaign worker who observed the questioned removal of signs, the planned actions in response regarding the release of the report, and the final concession by the Casey campaign that they will not receive timely justice on this attempt at electoral malfeasance. Casey's Original Post: Via I Live in Delaware County: Stolen Campaign Lawnsigns10-11-06Upper Darby TownshipCasey R. RoncaglioneDemocratic Candidate 164th District After a high speed chase through the streets of Upper Darby, going down one way streets and almost hitting pedestrians, a city License and Inspection official was stopped by over 10 Upper Darby Police. The Township official was attempting to avoid being caught by one of my campaign workers who spotted the official stealing my campaign lawn signs. In his trunk were found my political lawn signs, illegally taken from legal Township locations. The signs were taken from private property, whose owners had given permission to me to post the signs. Lawnsigns were also stolen from Roncaglione's home as well as his neighbors and supporters. The candidate, Casey R. Roncaglione, Democratic candidate in Upper Darby Township, called the actions typical dirty tricks. "I doubt my opponent Mario Civera (R-164) had anything to do with it, but I don't know that for sure," said Roncaglione. "It's not the end of the world but it is pretty cheap politics, Mr. Civera has over $190,000 in campaign funds, I have a little over $4,000. He could buy 50,000 signs and not even feel it, I have to watch every penny, so a sign is an important expense to me." Upper Darby Police are filing a report and superintendent Chitwood promised there would be an investigation possibly leading to charges. Upper Darby Township, a Republican stronghold has never been too acceptable of competition. Mr. Roncaglione is different though, actually friendly and respective of Mr. Civera. "Roncaglione spoke to Mr. Civera earlier on the day of the incident to complain that his signs were being taken down. Mr. Civera told Mr. Roncaglione that he doesn't do that and the two parted amicably. Soon after the episode occurred. Mr. Roncaglione who has pledged a clean campaign hopes this puts an end to the dirty tricks and that the voters get an honest and fair chance to learn the issues to vote for whom they feel can best represent them. This is the email from the campaign worker who observed the theft (unedited): This is the report made to Lt. Rhoades, who is handling the case under orders from Superintendent Micheal ChitwoodREPORT TO UPPER DARBY TOWNSHIP POLICEOur signs had been being stolen for about four days, so I staked out the location at State and Lansdowne over those days for 20 or so hours to catch the thief. This was on Monday or Tuesday, I forget right now. Finally I saw a man driving a red Lexus pull up take down Casey's sign and put it in his trunk. If the sign was placed illegally why not just tell me and that would be the end of it. Instead he ran away hoping to avoid me and get caught, Obviously he knew he was wrong and was trying to get away with it. After a high speed chase through the streets of Upper Darby, going down one way streets at speeds of up to 70mph and almost hitting pedestrians and parked and moving vehicles , a city License and Inspection official who was the sign stealer was stopped by over 10 Upper Darby Police at a roadblock near City Hall at Market and Sansom street in Upper Darby. The chase lasted at least 20 minutes and is recorded on 911 as our campaign worker was on 911 as the episode was happening. The Township official who was attempting to avoid being caught by a Casey Roncaglione campaign worker who spotted the official stealing the campaign lawn signs was driving a 2006 Red Lexus. When UDPD stopped the man, in his trunk were found Casey's political lawn signs illegally taken from legal Township locations. The signs were taken from private property, whose owners had given permission to the candidate to post the signs. Lawnsigns were also stolen from Roncaglione's home as well as his neighbors and supporters. To this date we know of 26 missing signs. I have no proof who took them but I have a good idea. The total signs stolen have been estimated at a cost of almost $5 each. The candidate, Casey R. Roncaglione, Democratic candidate in Upper Darby Township, called the actions typical dirty tricks. "I doubt my opponent Mario Civera (R-164) had anything to do with it, but I don't know for sure," said Roncaglione. Mr. Civera has over $190,000 in campaign funds, I have a little over $4,000. He could buy 50,000 signs and not even feel it, I have to watch every penny, so a sign is an important expense to me." Mr. Roncaglione is actually friendly and respective of Mr. Civera. Roncaglione spoke to Mr. Civera earlier on the day of the incident to complain that his signs were being taken down. Mr. Civera told Mr. Roncaglione that he doesn't do that and the two parted amicably. Soon after the meeting the episode and chase occurred. Mr. Roncaglione who has pledged a clean campaign hopes the voters get an honest and fair chance to learn the issues to vote for whom they feel can best represent them. Although it was originally communicated to me that the report would be released on Monday, it appears that some combination of the police, the District Attorney, or the Township have decided to wait a little while, like after the election. The following comment was posted here: Rather than take time away from a hectic campaign that is becoming closer than anyone though it could, Casey Roncaglione said today he would let the justice system take it's course.Lt. George Rhoades reported to the Casey Roncaglione Committee that his investigation into the lawn sign incident was completed today. Lt. Rhoades delivered the criminal report to Assistant District Attorney Jackson M. Stewart Jr. (610-891-4240) at the D A's office in Media. Mr. Stewart reported that his investigation will begin today and be concluded within 3 weeks. At that time he will release his decision and if deemed press any charges. Pure coincidence, I'm sure. Justice delayed is justice denied. For his part Casey Roncaglione will go on with his campaign. Knocking on doors, meeting the voters and concentrating on election day rather than political Township workers. Email this * Add to del.icio.us * Add to Yahoo MyWeb2 * Seed This * Technorati: Links To This Item * Related from Sphere October 19, 2006 - 4:59pm from rzklkng add a new comment filed in Politics Delaware County