Investigative Work
I like to bring readers important, hard-hitting pieces they won't find anywhere else. I like to dig. I like to put together complex information in a way that is clear, understandable and interesting to readers. I look for my investigative stories to go beyond "what" by also telling readers why and how. The best investigative writers are adept at putting things in context. I'm still working on becoming better at that. Jon Schmitz and Dennis Roddy of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette are particularly adept that this, and I have partnered with them to produce some of my best investigative work.
State probes handling of grant
HARRISBURG -- In 2006, a nonprofit called Greene County Industrial Developments Inc. applied for a $500,000 state grant on behalf of a start-up Internet company in Pittsburgh.
State officials turned down the funding request because it did not follow grant guidelines.
But thanks to a secret contract with the nonprofit, weak grant oversight, and the efforts of state Rep. Bill DeWeese's office in Harrisburg, Gravity Web Media ultimately ended up with access to the money anyway -- despite never signing a deal with the state.
The state was none the wiser. But as a result, it is all the poorer.
State officials turned down the funding request because it did not follow grant guidelines.
But thanks to a secret contract with the nonprofit, weak grant oversight, and the efforts of state Rep. Bill DeWeese's office in Harrisburg, Gravity Web Media ultimately ended up with access to the money anyway -- despite never signing a deal with the state.
The state was none the wiser. But as a result, it is all the poorer.
Top bonus recipients aided top Dems
HARRISBURG -- Eighty of the 100 Democratic state House staffers awarded the biggest bonuses in their government paychecks last year either donated money to or worked on the political campaigns of the two powerful Democratic leaders who controlled the bonuses.
Those staffers, all of whom received bonuses of $5,700 or more, gave money to or campaigned for House Democratic Leader Bill DeWeese of Waynesburg; his former second-in-command, Rep. Mike Veon of Beaver Falls; or the House Democratic Campaign Committee, which Mr. DeWeese chairs. Some gave to or worked for all three.
Those staffers, all of whom received bonuses of $5,700 or more, gave money to or campaigned for House Democratic Leader Bill DeWeese of Waynesburg; his former second-in-command, Rep. Mike Veon of Beaver Falls; or the House Democratic Campaign Committee, which Mr. DeWeese chairs. Some gave to or worked for all three.
E-mails show how Dems tied staffers' bonuses to campaign work
HARRISBURG -- E-mail messages exchanged by top aides in the Democratic caucus starting in 2004 make clear that taxpayer-funded bonuses were given to legislative employees for their work on election campaigns.
The messages, obtained by the Post-Gazette, are a key component in an investigation by Attorney General Tom Corbett into the bonuses and whether they constituted an illegal use of state money for political work.
In startlingly blunt language, a group of aides, at points working under the direction of then-House Minority Whip Michael Veon, D-Beaver, rated the political work of state employees, sometimes adjusting the amounts of the bonuses based on time they spent in the field or, in one instance, in getting presidential candidate Ralph Nader off the Pennsylvania ballot.
The messages, obtained by the Post-Gazette, are a key component in an investigation by Attorney General Tom Corbett into the bonuses and whether they constituted an illegal use of state money for political work.
In startlingly blunt language, a group of aides, at points working under the direction of then-House Minority Whip Michael Veon, D-Beaver, rated the political work of state employees, sometimes adjusting the amounts of the bonuses based on time they spent in the field or, in one instance, in getting presidential candidate Ralph Nader off the Pennsylvania ballot.
Politicos 'parked' in state office
HARRISBURG -- Employees of the House Democratic Legislative Research Office, the target of a search warrant last August, have told state investigators that political work there was so rampant that many employees did far more campaign-related chores than legitimate state work.
"Our office was largely a parking place for people until they were needed for a campaign. It was a way for people who were political operatives to have jobs in nonelection years," said Jason Lawrence, who worked there as a research analyst from 2005 to 2006 and is now in law school in Chicago.
His comments about the research office were echoed by three other caucus employees, two of whom spoke with investigators as part of a widening probe into political corruption. A grand jury probe began with questions after employees of both the Democratic and Republican caucuses were given hefty year-end salary bonuses.
"Our office was largely a parking place for people until they were needed for a campaign. It was a way for people who were political operatives to have jobs in nonelection years," said Jason Lawrence, who worked there as a research analyst from 2005 to 2006 and is now in law school in Chicago.
His comments about the research office were echoed by three other caucus employees, two of whom spoke with investigators as part of a widening probe into political corruption. A grand jury probe began with questions after employees of both the Democratic and Republican caucuses were given hefty year-end salary bonuses.
Campaigning on state time: Records indicate 45 staffers worked to elect Democrats while remaining on House payroll
HARRISBURG -- Brett Cott, a high-ranking policy analyst in the state House of Representatives, spent 11 weeks straight in Beaver Falls last year working on former House Democratic Whip Michael Veon's unsuccessful re-election campaign.
Patrick Grill, also a policy analyst, squeezed in at least 10 trips from Harrisburg to Waynesburg to campaign for Democratic Leader Bill DeWeese.
Both continued to draw their state salaries while they campaigned, according to records obtained by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Patrick Grill, also a policy analyst, squeezed in at least 10 trips from Harrisburg to Waynesburg to campaign for Democratic Leader Bill DeWeese.
Both continued to draw their state salaries while they campaigned, according to records obtained by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Feature Writing
So many people have interesting stories to tell. It is an honor and a challenge to capture someone on a page. It's easy to write a passable feature, but a really good one takes patience, time and an eye for detail.
From private plane to prison for Veon
Photo by Robin Rombach
SOMERSET -- As a powerful state representative, Mike Veon for years was perfectly coiffed, wore $1,000 custom-made pin-striped suits, smoked expensive cigars and sipped Makers Mark bourbon with lobbyists. He zipped around on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, attended conferences in Las Vegas and flew back and forth to Harrisburg in a state plane.
Times have changed.
Times have changed.
State unclaimed property vaults are real treasure troves
Photo by Bradley C. Bower
HARRISBURG -- The state Department of Treasury is looking for a few Finders, several Keepers and a handful of Losers.
There are no Weepers, though, on the treasury's list of people who are owed $1.5 billion in money and property they may not know about.
There are no Weepers, though, on the treasury's list of people who are owed $1.5 billion in money and property they may not know about.
Clock winder bides time at Pa. Capitol
Photo by Bradley C. Bower
HARRISBURG -- The wheels of government wouldn't exactly screech to a halt without Bob Martz, but politics might stall without him there to grease the gears.
He is a carpenter by trade, but his main job is to keep the House and Senate running on time. That's an extra challenge during the switch to daylight-saving time, which happens at 2 a.m. tomorrow.
You'll get no sympathy from Mr. Martz, 54, no matter how many alarm clocks, DVD players, microwave ovens and automatic coffee makers you have to adjust before bed tonight.
He has 227 clocks to worry about. Make that 230 if you count three antique clocks at home. And most require his attention on a weekly basis.
He is a carpenter by trade, but his main job is to keep the House and Senate running on time. That's an extra challenge during the switch to daylight-saving time, which happens at 2 a.m. tomorrow.
You'll get no sympathy from Mr. Martz, 54, no matter how many alarm clocks, DVD players, microwave ovens and automatic coffee makers you have to adjust before bed tonight.
He has 227 clocks to worry about. Make that 230 if you count three antique clocks at home. And most require his attention on a weekly basis.
Toot-toot Tootsie, don't cry: Dog found after 5 years
Photo by Andrew Rush
HARRISBURG -- Tootsie, the adventuresome dachshund who went missing more than five years ago, is back home in Pleasantville, N.J.
Tootsie was found two weeks ago wandering around Wilkinsburg, 350 miles away from where he went missing in 2003. He was taken to the Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania and was traced back to his owners using information on a microchip implanted under the skin on the back of his neck.
Tootsie was found two weeks ago wandering around Wilkinsburg, 350 miles away from where he went missing in 2003. He was taken to the Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania and was traced back to his owners using information on a microchip implanted under the skin on the back of his neck.
Spot News
These are the kinds of stories no one likes to write. The pressure is great, both to file an accurate story and to do justice to the subjects, who often have suffered great tragedy. Comfort the afflicted and affict the comfortable, they say. I don't like to think of my job in those terms, but I suppose there is some truth to the saying.
Gunman at Amish school kills 5 girls, wounds 5.
Lancaster County milk truck driver kills himself after slaughter
Photo by Andy Starnes
NICKEL MINES -- It was a bloodbath, made even more horrible by its location and its innocent victims, who became targets of a lone gunman apparently because they simply lived near his home. Charles Carl Roberts IV, 32, a rural milk truck driver and father of three, walked into West Nickel Mines School, the tiny schoolhouse less than 2 miles from his home that housed children in grades one through eight.
Armed with three guns and 600 rounds of ammunition, he ordered all but the girls to leave, then barricaded the doors with lumber, bound the children's legs and lined them up against the chalkboard.
Armed with three guns and 600 rounds of ammunition, he ordered all but the girls to leave, then barricaded the doors with lumber, bound the children's legs and lined them up against the chalkboard.
Three Amish schoolgirls killed, eight critically hurt
The drama was still unfolding when I filed this story for The Post-Gazette's Web site. Scripps Howard news service picked it up and the story ran nationally. That led to a phone call from Greta van Sustern, and I appeared on her show "On the Record" later that night.
Nickel Mines, Pa. -- A gunman killed three girls and critically wounded eight others before killing himself Monday during execution-style shootings in a one-room Amish schoolhouse.
Charles Carl Roberts IV, 32, entered the school equipped with enough weapons and equipment to indicate he planned a long siege, State Police Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller said.
Motivated by a 20-year-old grudge and leaving suicide notes detailing his anger with life and God, the normally outgoing milk truck driver had been noticeably quiet lately, and police believe he made a decision to carry out the shootings in the past few days.
Nickel Mines, Pa. -- A gunman killed three girls and critically wounded eight others before killing himself Monday during execution-style shootings in a one-room Amish schoolhouse.
Charles Carl Roberts IV, 32, entered the school equipped with enough weapons and equipment to indicate he planned a long siege, State Police Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller said.
Motivated by a 20-year-old grudge and leaving suicide notes detailing his anger with life and God, the normally outgoing milk truck driver had been noticeably quiet lately, and police believe he made a decision to carry out the shootings in the past few days.
Funerals for Amish shooting victims will be simple, solemn
Photo by Andy Starnes
NICKEL MINES, Pa. -- First they will bury 7-year-old Naomi Ebersole.
Next will be Marian Fisher, 13, and then the Miller sisters, Mary Liz, 8, and Lena, 7.
The bodies will be dressed in white and placed in wooden coffins. Bible passages will be read. Hymns will be spoken, not sung. Caskets will be lowered into the earth today, four before the afternoon ends.
Next will be Marian Fisher, 13, and then the Miller sisters, Mary Liz, 8, and Lena, 7.
The bodies will be dressed in white and placed in wooden coffins. Bible passages will be read. Hymns will be spoken, not sung. Caskets will be lowered into the earth today, four before the afternoon ends.
Amish aren't alone in mourning children's violent deaths
NICKEL MINES, Pa. -- A large crowd of Amish converged last evening at a family farm to mourn the loss of five schoolgirls and to pray for five others fighting for their lives.
All were victims of gunman Charles Carl Roberts IV who Monday lined them up against the chalkboard and shot them in their one-room schoolhouse, less than a half-mile away.
Mourners arrived with pots of mums, boxes of food and heavy hearts.
Meanwhile, 15 miles away in the Lancaster County community of Leola, some 1,600 worshippers, mostly non-Amish, held their own service, one so tearful that mourners ravaged the tissue boxes church ushers offered them as they exited.
All were victims of gunman Charles Carl Roberts IV who Monday lined them up against the chalkboard and shot them in their one-room schoolhouse, less than a half-mile away.
Mourners arrived with pots of mums, boxes of food and heavy hearts.
Meanwhile, 15 miles away in the Lancaster County community of Leola, some 1,600 worshippers, mostly non-Amish, held their own service, one so tearful that mourners ravaged the tissue boxes church ushers offered them as they exited.
Rage against Jews blamed in DC attack
WASHINGTON -- James Wenneker von Brunn spent much of his adult life on the seething fringes of racial politics, fulminating about blacks and blaming Jews for everything from communism and syphilis to the "hoax" of the Holocaust.
Police say that rage propelled the 88-year-old Mr. von Brunn into the lobby of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum along the Mall yesterday, where he gunned down a security guard before being shot himself.
Police say that rage propelled the 88-year-old Mr. von Brunn into the lobby of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum along the Mall yesterday, where he gunned down a security guard before being shot himself.
Fellow separatist says von Brunn's tone more violent lately
Photo by Darrell Sapp
WASHINGTON -- Before walking into the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, police said James von Brunn left behind a notebook in his car denouncing the Holocaust as a lie, and denouncing President Barack Obama.
Mr. von Brunn was charged today with first-degree murder for shooting down a museum security guard who held the door open for him as he walked in with a .22 caliber rifle.
When police search Mr. von Brunn's automobile, parked nearby, they discovered a note declaring:
"You want my weapons -- this is how you'll get them. The Holocaust is a lie. Obama was created by Jews. Obama does what Jew owners tell him to do. Jews captured America's money. Jews control the mass media."
Mr. von Brunn was charged today with first-degree murder for shooting down a museum security guard who held the door open for him as he walked in with a .22 caliber rifle.
When police search Mr. von Brunn's automobile, parked nearby, they discovered a note declaring:
"You want my weapons -- this is how you'll get them. The Holocaust is a lie. Obama was created by Jews. Obama does what Jew owners tell him to do. Jews captured America's money. Jews control the mass media."
Killings of six family members shake tiny village near Lancaster
Photo by Bradley C. Bower
LEOLA, Pa. -- The lace curtains and white teddy bear in the front window belied the horror inside the white clapboard house where Jesse Dee Wise Jr. allegedly strangled and bludgeoned to death six relatives he lived with in this rural village near Lancaster.
