Corbett appeals ruling on ethics complaint

Friday, July 10, 2009
BY PETE SHELLEM pshellem@patriot-news.com

The state attorney general's office has appealed a federal judge's order that barred the Pennsylvania Ethics Commission from enforcing a ban on publicizing filings against state officials.

The office, which represents the commission, filed notice Thursday that it was appealing to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals the order by U.S. District Judge Christopher C. Conner that granted an injunction to activist Gene Stilp.

Conner ruled last week that the ban ran counter to the right to free speech.

In 2007, Stilp, of Middle Paxton Twp., announced he filed an ethics complaint against former House Majority Leader H. William DeWeese.

Within a day, the commission ruled there was not enough evidence in Stilp's complaint to warrant an investigation, then charged Stilp with violating the act by publicizing the filing. On Oct. 16, Stilp entered into an agreement with the commission in which he admitted violating the act and agreed to pay a $500 fine. He then filed the suit that prompted Conner's ruling.

http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1247199039203320.xml&coll=1

Independence for all .....STATES!!

The more the bozos in Washington do the more I feel we should become 50 independent republics. At the very least break into several republics, I mean how much worse can it be. Give me some thoughts on this and let me know what you think. We need more local control of our lives.