Jane Orie: Difference between revisions
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In 1996, Orie ran for the [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives]] for the [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 28|28th House District]] after incumbent representative [[Elaine F. Farmer|Elaine Farmer]] dropped off the ballot to fight bone marrow cancer.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.post-gazette.com/localnews/20030817sisters0817p2.asp| author=Mackenzie Carpenter| title=The Orie sisters steal the show| work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]| date=August 17, 2003}}</ref> Orie won that November and won re-election in 1998 and 2000.<ref name="official">{{cite web| title = Jane C. Orie (Republican) | work = Official Pennsylvania House of Representatives Profile| publisher = Pennsylvania House of Representatives| url = http://www.house.state.pa.us/members/districts/028/028.htm| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20000125151519/http://www.house.state.pa.us/members/districts/028/028.htm| archivedate = January 25, 2000}}</ref> |
In 1996, Orie ran for the [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives]] for the [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 28|28th House District]] after incumbent representative [[Elaine F. Farmer|Elaine Farmer]] dropped off the ballot to fight bone marrow cancer.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.post-gazette.com/localnews/20030817sisters0817p2.asp| author=Mackenzie Carpenter| title=The Orie sisters steal the show| work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]| date=August 17, 2003}}</ref> Orie won that November and won re-election in 1998 and 2000.<ref name="official">{{cite web| title = Jane C. Orie (Republican) | work = Official Pennsylvania House of Representatives Profile| publisher = Pennsylvania House of Representatives| url = http://www.house.state.pa.us/members/districts/028/028.htm| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20000125151519/http://www.house.state.pa.us/members/districts/028/028.htm| archivedate = January 25, 2000}}</ref> |
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In 2000, State Senator [[Melissa Hart (politician)|Melissa Hart]] was elected to the [[United States House of Representatives]] and resigned her Senate seat. In a special election Orie was the GOP nominee against Democrat James Rooney, a grandson of late [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] owner, [[Art Rooney]]. A key issue in that race was public funding for the new Steelers stadium, [[Heinz Field]], which was unpopular in parts of the county. Orie tried to tie Rooney to this unpopular issue, even running a television advertisement depicting the implosion of [[Three Rivers Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.postgazette.com/columnists/20010401brian.asp| author=Brian O'Neill| title=Don't fault Tom Murphy for stadium deals| work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]| date=April 1, 2001}}</ref> Orie defeated Rooney with 59% in the election on March 11, 2001, and was seated on April 3, 2001. Orie won re-election in 2002 and 2006, both times taking more than 70% against minimal opposition.<ref>[http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=13&ElectionID=7&OfficeID=12 2002 General Election Results, Pennsylvania Department of State, 11/5/02]</ref><ref>[http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=12&ElectionID=24 2006 General Election Results, Pennsylvania Department of State, 11/8/06] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529001955/http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=12&ElectionID=24 |date=2008-05-29 }}</ref> |
In 2000, State Senator [[Melissa Hart (politician)|Melissa Hart]] was elected to the [[United States House of Representatives]] and resigned her Senate seat. In a special election Orie was the GOP nominee against Democrat James Rooney, a grandson of late [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] owner, [[Art Rooney]]. A key issue in that race was public funding for the new Steelers stadium, [[Heinz Field]], which was unpopular in parts of the county. Orie tried to tie Rooney to this unpopular issue, even running a television advertisement depicting the implosion of [[Three Rivers Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.postgazette.com/columnists/20010401brian.asp| author=Brian O'Neill| title=Don't fault Tom Murphy for stadium deals| work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]| date=April 1, 2001}}</ref> Orie defeated Rooney with 59% in the election on March 11, 2001, and was seated on April 3, 2001. Orie won re-election in 2002 and 2006, both times taking more than 70% against minimal opposition.<ref>[http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=13&ElectionID=7&OfficeID=12 2002 General Election Results, Pennsylvania Department of State, 11/5/02] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515034232/http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=13&ElectionID=7&OfficeID=12 |date=2008-05-15 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=12&ElectionID=24 2006 General Election Results, Pennsylvania Department of State, 11/8/06] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529001955/http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=12&ElectionID=24 |date=2008-05-29 }}</ref> |
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In May 2006, [[Robert Jubelirer|Bob Jubelirer]] and [[David J. Brightbill|David Brightbill]], the Republicans' two top leaders were defeated in the [[primary election]], victims of the [[2005 Pennsylvania General Assembly pay raise controversy|legislative pay raise]] fallout. [[Jeffrey Piccola|Jeff Piccola]] left his post as whip to run for [[President Pro Tempore]]. This opened the door for Orie, who defeated [[John Gordner]] for the position.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06325/739979-85.stm| author=Tom Barnes| title=Sen. Orie wins leadership post| work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]| date=November 21, 2006}}</ref> |
In May 2006, [[Robert Jubelirer|Bob Jubelirer]] and [[David J. Brightbill|David Brightbill]], the Republicans' two top leaders were defeated in the [[primary election]], victims of the [[2005 Pennsylvania General Assembly pay raise controversy|legislative pay raise]] fallout. [[Jeffrey Piccola|Jeff Piccola]] left his post as whip to run for [[President Pro Tempore]]. This opened the door for Orie, who defeated [[John Gordner]] for the position.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06325/739979-85.stm| author=Tom Barnes| title=Sen. Orie wins leadership post| work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]| date=November 21, 2006}}</ref> |
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Like most states, Pennsylvania has a provision in its constitution barring convicted felons from holding office. Accordingly, she resigned from the State Senate on May 21, 2012.<ref>[http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/state/20120521_ap_convictedpasenoriesubmitsresignation.html, May 22, 2012, "Convicted Pa. Senator Orie Sumits Resignation"]</ref> A [[special election]] occurred on August 7, 2012, to replace her;<ref>{{cite news|title=Cawley sets Aug. 7 date for special election for Orie's seat|url=http://triblive.com/politics/headlines/1861754-74/orie-election-cawley-melvin-special-aug-court-seat-senate-state|newspaper=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review}}</ref> the Republican nominee in the race was [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives|State Representative]] [[Randy Vulakovich]], while Democratic nominee was Sharon Brown, a health care consultant.<ref>{{cite news|title=Vulakovich picked for state Senate run|url=http://triblive.com/politics/2015893-74/vulakovich-district-hart-conferees-state-political-mccandless-seat-brown-nominee|newspaper=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review}}</ref> Vulakovich defeated Brown by a wide margin.<ref>{{cite news|last=McNulty|first=Timothy|title=Vulakovich defeats Brown for Orie's seat|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-north/vulakovich-defeats-brown-for-ories-seat-647988/|accessdate=August 8, 2012|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=August 7, 2012}}</ref> |
Like most states, Pennsylvania has a provision in its constitution barring convicted felons from holding office. Accordingly, she resigned from the State Senate on May 21, 2012.<ref>[http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/state/20120521_ap_convictedpasenoriesubmitsresignation.html, May 22, 2012, "Convicted Pa. Senator Orie Sumits Resignation"]</ref> A [[special election]] occurred on August 7, 2012, to replace her;<ref>{{cite news|title=Cawley sets Aug. 7 date for special election for Orie's seat|url=http://triblive.com/politics/headlines/1861754-74/orie-election-cawley-melvin-special-aug-court-seat-senate-state|newspaper=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review}}</ref> the Republican nominee in the race was [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives|State Representative]] [[Randy Vulakovich]], while Democratic nominee was Sharon Brown, a health care consultant.<ref>{{cite news|title=Vulakovich picked for state Senate run|url=http://triblive.com/politics/2015893-74/vulakovich-district-hart-conferees-state-political-mccandless-seat-brown-nominee|newspaper=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review}}</ref> Vulakovich defeated Brown by a wide margin.<ref>{{cite news|last=McNulty|first=Timothy|title=Vulakovich defeats Brown for Orie's seat|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-north/vulakovich-defeats-brown-for-ories-seat-647988/|accessdate=August 8, 2012|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=August 7, 2012}}</ref> |
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On June 5, 2012, Orie was sentenced to two-and-a-half to ten years in prison. In sentencing her, Judge Manning said he was particularly angered by Orie's submission of fraudulent documents, calling it a "flagrant and disgraceful violation" of her oath as an attorney and a violation of "the sanctity of all we do as lawyers." Manning remanded Orie to custody immediately rather than allow her to self-report.<ref>[http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/orie-sent-to-prison-638994/ June 5th 2012, "Orie sent to prison"]</ref> She was incarcerated at the [[State Correctional Institution – Cambridge Springs|Cambridge Springs State Correctional Institution]] in [[Crawford County, Pennsylvania|Crawford County]], where she was Inmate Number OS9360.<ref name=inmate>{{cite web|title=Inmate Locator|url=http://inmatelocator.cor.state.pa.us/inmatelocatorweb/criteria.aspx|work=Inmate Database|publisher=The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania|accessdate=July 25, 2012}}</ref> |
On June 5, 2012, Orie was sentenced to two-and-a-half to ten years in prison. In sentencing her, Judge Manning said he was particularly angered by Orie's submission of fraudulent documents, calling it a "flagrant and disgraceful violation" of her oath as an attorney and a violation of "the sanctity of all we do as lawyers." Manning remanded Orie to custody immediately rather than allow her to self-report.<ref>[http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/orie-sent-to-prison-638994/ June 5th 2012, "Orie sent to prison"]</ref> She was incarcerated at the [[State Correctional Institution – Cambridge Springs|Cambridge Springs State Correctional Institution]] in [[Crawford County, Pennsylvania|Crawford County]], where she was Inmate Number OS9360.<ref name=inmate>{{cite web|title=Inmate Locator|url=http://inmatelocator.cor.state.pa.us/inmatelocatorweb/criteria.aspx|work=Inmate Database|publisher=The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania|accessdate=July 25, 2012|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911095223/http://inmatelocator.cor.state.pa.us/inmatelocatorweb/criteria.aspx|archivedate=September 11, 2012|df=}}</ref> |
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On February 9, 2014, Orie was released from prison, after serving the minimum sentence of two-and-a-half years.<ref name="release"/> |
On February 9, 2014, Orie was released from prison, after serving the minimum sentence of two-and-a-half years.<ref name="release"/> |
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Revision as of 01:13, 22 November 2017
Jane Clare Orie | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Elaine Farmer | |
| Succeeded by | Mike Turzai |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 18, 1961 Attorney |
Jane Clare Orie is an American politician and member of the
State Senate, she represented the 40th district, including portions of Allegheny County and Butler County, and served as the Majority Whip. Orie is also a former member of the State House, where she represented the 28th district. She resigned from the State Senate in May 2012, following her conviction on 14 counts of forgery, conflict of interest and theft of services, and served the minimum two-and-a half years of a two-and-a-half to ten-year prison sentence.[3] She was disbarred by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on December 10, 2014.[4]
Early life and education
Orie was born in
Duquesne University School of Law in 1987. Prior to elective office, Orie served as an assistant district attorney in Allegheny County
and later as a deputy state attorney general.
Career
In 1996, Orie ran for the
Elaine Farmer dropped off the ballot to fight bone marrow cancer.[5] Orie won that November and won re-election in 1998 and 2000.[6]
In 2000, State Senator
Heinz Field, which was unpopular in parts of the county. Orie tried to tie Rooney to this unpopular issue, even running a television advertisement depicting the implosion of Three Rivers Stadium.[7] Orie defeated Rooney with 59% in the election on March 11, 2001, and was seated on April 3, 2001. Orie won re-election in 2002 and 2006, both times taking more than 70% against minimal opposition.[8][9]
In May 2006,
President Pro Tempore. This opened the door for Orie, who defeated John Gordner for the position.[10]
Allegations of impropriety
Authorities seized thousands of computer records from one of Orie's district offices in mid-December 2009, as part of an investigation conducted by Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala. Zappala would not disclose to the public a reason for investigating Orie.[1]
A story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette alleged that the core of the investigation involves the employment of one of her district offices for campaign purposes.[2]
The Post-Gazette subsequently reported that a University of Pittsburgh student intern had told prosecutors of widespread political campaigning inside the office on behalf of Orie's sister,
State Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin. The story also revealed that Orie's chief of staff had begun cooperating with investigators.[3] Justice Melvin was indicted and convicted on charges of misusing publicly funded staff for political work on her two Supreme Court races.[11]
Criminal prosecution and fallout
In April 2010, an Allegheny County grand jury indicted Jane Orie and her sister Janine Orie on multiple charges of corruption. Pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 19, both defendants were released on their own recognizance, but they were prohibited from having non-business contacts with any of the witnesses in the case.[4] Under Senate rules, a member who is charged with an offense related to his or her official duties must vacate any leadership position. Accordingly, following her indictment, Orie resigned as minority whip.[12]
A trial date of February 7, 2011 was set for the criminal trial of Orie and her sister Janine. [5] However, while jury deliberations were underway, Judge Jeffrey Manning declared a mistrial for both the Senator and her sister upon learning that evidence submitted by the defense had been doctored. The signature of former Orie aide Jamie Pavlot, a key prosecution witness, appeared to have been cut-and-pasted from one document to another. Manning suspended the jury deliberations, declaring that the copying was so blatant that "Ray Charles could see that signature was doctored." Hours later, he declared a mistrial and dismissed the jury, saying that "a fraud had been perpetrated" on the court.[13] A new trial date was set for April 11, although Orie's lawyer announced his intent to appeal the decision on the grounds that a new trial would constitute a violation of Orie's right to avoid double jeopardy.[14]
In March 2012, Orie was convicted of 14 counts of forgery, conflict of interest and theft of services, which included 5 felonies.[15] [6]
Like most states, Pennsylvania has a provision in its constitution barring convicted felons from holding office. Accordingly, she resigned from the State Senate on May 21, 2012.special election occurred on August 7, 2012, to replace her;[17] the Republican nominee in the race was State Representative Randy Vulakovich, while Democratic nominee was Sharon Brown, a health care consultant.[18] Vulakovich defeated Brown by a wide margin.[19]
On June 5, 2012, Orie was sentenced to two-and-a-half to ten years in prison. In sentencing her, Judge Manning said he was particularly angered by Orie's submission of fraudulent documents, calling it a "flagrant and disgraceful violation" of her oath as an attorney and a violation of "the sanctity of all we do as lawyers." Manning remanded Orie to custody immediately rather than allow her to self-report.[20] She was incarcerated at the Cambridge Springs State Correctional Institution in Crawford County, where she was Inmate Number OS9360.[21]
On February 9, 2014, Orie was released from prison, after serving the minimum sentence of two-and-a-half years.[3]
References
- ^ "SESSION OF 1997 - 181ST OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - No. 1" (PDF). Legislative Journal. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. January 7, 1997.
- ^ Cox, Harold (November 3, 2004). "Pennsylvania House of Representatives - 2001-2002" (PDF). Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.
- ^ a b "Former state Sen. Jane Orie released from prison". The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. February 9, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- ^ Former state Sen. Jane Orie disbarred Jason Cato; The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review December 10, 2014
- ^ Mackenzie Carpenter (August 17, 2003). "The Orie sisters steal the show". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- ^ "Jane C. Orie (Republican)". Official Pennsylvania House of Representatives Profile. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Archived from the original on January 25, 2000.
- ^ Brian O'Neill (April 1, 2001). "Don't fault Tom Murphy for stadium deals". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- ^ 2002 General Election Results, Pennsylvania Department of State, 11/5/02 Archived 2008-05-15 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 2006 General Election Results, Pennsylvania Department of State, 11/8/06 Archived 2008-05-29 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Tom Barnes (November 21, 2006). "Sen. Orie wins leadership post". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- ^ Mandak, Joe (June 28, 2012). "Judge nixes Melvin motion to recuse county bench". The San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- ^ "Pennsylvania Senator Jane Orie charged with theft of service, resigns from leadership post". PennLive.com. The Harrisburg Patriot-News. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
- ^ O'Toole, James; Barcousky, Len (March 3, 2011). "Mistrial declared in Orie case". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- ^ O'Toole, James (March 4, 2011). "New trial date set for Orie". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- ^ http://www.suntimes.com, March 26, 2012, "Pa. GOP Senator Jane orie convicted of theft of services" by the AP
- ^ May 22, 2012, "Convicted Pa. Senator Orie Sumits Resignation"
- ^ "Cawley sets Aug. 7 date for special election for Orie's seat". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
- ^ "Vulakovich picked for state Senate run". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
- ^ McNulty, Timothy (August 7, 2012). "Vulakovich defeats Brown for Orie's seat". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
- ^ June 5th 2012, "Orie sent to prison"
- ^ "Inmate Locator". Inmate Database. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
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