Harrisburg activist files complaint against Fumo judge
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Harrisburg activist files complaint against Fumo judge
Harrisburg activist Gene Stilp today filed a federal judicial code of conduct complaint against U.S District Court Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter, alleging that the judge's comments during the sentencing of former state Senator Vincent J. Fumo "has undermined the public confidence in the independence and integrity of the court."
Last month, Buckwalter sentenced Fumo to 55 months in prison -- or four years and seven months -- after federal prosecutors had urged the judge to impose a prison term of more than 15 years. Fumo was convicted of charges that he illegally extracted $4 million in benefits, defrauding the Senate by getting workers to do his personal and political work on state time and defrauding two nonprofits. He also was found guilty of obstructing justice.
In imposing the sentence, Buckwalter noted more than 250 letters of support for Fumo that the defense had submitted. He said he had received only about five letters from people who were against Fumo.
In his complaint, Stilp states that thousands of letters could have been generated by citizens "who have witnessed Mr. Fumo's vindictive and corrupt methods ... but citizens did not realize that Judge Buckwalter made his decisions based on letters from defendants' political friends and benefactors."
"The citizens expected a lot more from a sitting federal judge," Stilp added.
Buckwalter's office said the judge would have no comment on the complaint.
Stilp contends in his complaint that only an investigation by "a body appointed by the federal judiciary can learn the true facts behind the sentencing of Mr. Fumo," and determine whether "Judge Buckwalter was politically influenced" in meting out the punishment.
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I agree. If I had known, I would have sent the judge a letter. I was one of Fumo's constituents, and felt quite betrayed by his conduct.— Bobby257- yeah, this will go far— Dave666
- where is Buckwalter's birth certificate— Dave666
- Good luck with the complaint! In the midst of a Democrat administration waging a virtual war against anyone who as much as whispers a word of displeasure, this caomplaint most surely will fly like a lead balloon. The only accusation anyone could make of Judge Burkhalter is that he behaved like a good soldier in showing leniency for a politician of his own team.— DonQ
- Brilliant observation, DonQ! Except Buckwalter is a Republican from Lancaster County. But that's ok - don't let facts get in teh way of a good story.— roxy
- I would have sent the blogs from the trial...that would have been sufficient....— SteveJeltz1997
- I can't wait for the partisan attacks to infiltrate the sports page. Seems like that is all you guys do.— nevets328
- Judge Buckwalter is a Republican.— Rowland
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- It'll go nowhere, sadly. At 600 Market Street, they protect their own.— JStocker
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- Bravo, it should be the first of many— MD20202020
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- DonQ--if you're going to try and get anyone to believe your "argument", you should try learning the name of the judge and spelling the word "complaint" correctly. I'm not familiar with this this "Burkhalter" character, but for all we know he might be a good replacement for Judge Buckwalter.— MaC130
- Yea, Fumo did a few good things in his public career, but wasn't that his job???? If Buckwalter said before sentencing that he would accept letters, he should have made this known to all. People are outraged at his weak sentence and rightfully so. What he did was a disgrace to justice, a disgrace to the taxpayers of PA and a total disregard of his duty. While sentencing guidelines are not mandatory, his extreme departure of them shows that he disregards the guidance they were meant to have.— Philly_Guy
- Did anyone actually believe a snake like Fumo was going to get a real sentence? It is not about the "D" or "R" but the "$$$$". That is why buys you freedom. Guys like Fumo and OJ get off because they can afford pricey lawyers. Us working stiffs go to prison for stuff like that.— Malcolm65
- This is a phony issue. The original deal that the feds proposed to Fumo before the trial was five years in prison, which is what he got. The Daily News reported this, and the lawyers involved in the case at the time confirmed it. So why the outrage if the judge gave Fumo what the feds originally proposed?— slasher
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- Get a life, Stilp, you idiot. Activist? The only thing active is your desire for 15 minutes of fame. You should be sanctioned for your frivolous, scandalous and impertinent complaint. By the way, how did you connect "vindictive" with the offenses charged? Got a personal axe to grind? Hmmmmmm?!?!?!— jiminy cricket
- This complaint makes an excellent point. By dwelling on the letters in his sentencing, the judge appeared to be influenced by a previously unrevealed methodology that I do not believe is part of the Federal Code -- Is competitive letter writing a known method of sentencing? and if it is being used, shouldn't it be explained to both sides well in advance of any reliance upon it?— Eagle314
- Lancaster County, Pa.- A former Amish man and his attorney begged the judge for mercy this morning before receiving a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. Levi Stoltzfoos, 39 — convicted of 58 first-degree felonies in May for avoiding bank reporting requirements — said he did not do it on purpose. Stoltzfoos, of Leola, made 58 cash deposits that totaled $541,100 at 10 Lancaster County banks in 2006. Most of the deposits were in sums of $9,000 and $9,900, according to testimony. Talk about unbalanced justice! Buckwalter is a total embarrassment to us here in Lancaster County. Look what the guy here got. Plus Fumo underpaid his property taxes for years and the board refused to reassess him. Money defiinitely talks in Philly. Good for Gene Stilp. There are numerous public figures who should have complaints filed against them. Speak up America!— ozzyboy
- Judge Buckwalter is a credit to the bench and a hero. He stood up to the US Attorney and the Feds and demonstrated his experience and independence. Listen to his sentencing statement here: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/special/50804682.html Listen to a real judge making his thought process available to the public. AS for all those who just love to be polar opposites and naysayers, you need to have someone in your family in a federal sentencing situation, then you will come back to reality!— CommonSense4Philly
- Judge Buckwalter is a credit to the bench and a hero. He stood up to the US Attorney and the Feds and demonstrated his experience and independence. Listen to his sentencing statement here: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/special/50804682.html Listen to a real judge making his thought process available to the public. AS for all those who just love to be polar opposites and naysayers, you need to have someone in your family in a federal sentencing situation, then you will come back to reality!— CommonSense4Philly
- Fumo's defense solicited those letters. An intelligent judge would have known that, and discounted the letters. Clearly they were not a 'spontaneous' show of support for Fumo.— phillydan
DonQ -- your comments may be accurate as to Judge Burkhalter, whoever he is, but the Judge in the Fumo case is Hon. Ronald L. Buckwalter, former Republican DA of Lancaster county, appointed to the federal bench by George H.W. Bush.— 1980- If every PECO empolyee that was laid off at the time of Fumo's payoff had writen a letter that would be hundreds of letters and none would have supported Fumo.— Jeff C.
