Luck running out?

Is Attorney General Tom Corbett's luck running out?  Quite possibly.  WJACTV.com has a report on Corbett's pet project, cracking down on internet predators, not going as well as he'd hope.

Attorney General Tom Corbett said for whatever reason, the number of predator cases seems to be on the rise."Activity by online predators has jumped up dramatically this year," said Corbett.

"So far in 2009, there have been 49 arrests. That's a 40 percent increase compared to last year."

Corbett, who is planning to run for governor, is reminding parents to stay alert and talk to their kids about online safety.

To go along with this, more people are starting to question Corbett's Bonusgate investigation.  The Herald Standard asks, Why the Delay?  (I've been looking for this answer for some time...)

At this point even some Republicans and taxpayer watchdog groups are critical - at least privately - that nothing more has happened in a year.

We, too, are concerned at the length of time this process is taking. It is fully more than two years since Corbett's office began working on the issue.

We understand investigations take time, and perhaps there are other considerations, such as not wanting to move forward during such a tumultuous budget season. But we also realize how politics creeps into everything state-related.

If this goes much further Corbett risks being accused of using it to launch what many expect will be a gubernatorial bid in 2010. That would muddy the waters even more.

If there are additional charges pending we urge the attorney general to make them as soon as possible. The further investigation, and the ever-present speculation about it, is a heavy weight hanging around many people's necks - and not just those necessarily under the stinging glare of the AG probe.

People will rightfully be scrutinizing the next round of charges for political clues, and given the length of time this investigation has taken, that the process has been fair.

Now, the news isn't all bad for Corbett; a judge dismissed the Bonusgate defense's selective prosecution accusation, but, pending future Bonusgate charges, you can be sure these accusations will be revisited. 

I guess the point I'm trying to make is the extra-shiny-finish Corbett once had in the eyes of many Pennsylvanians may be wearing off. 

The bottom line; if Corbett has any serious shot of becoming PA's next governor he needs to finish Bonusgate and prove to many skeptical Pennsylvanians (including myself) that his investigation was fair.

The clock is winding down...

Comments

[Mister X]

More arrested predators means it is "not going as well as hoped"? Help me out here AJ, I'm confused how a unit catching 40% more than last year is a failure.

[Factually Accurate]

How is an increase in internet predators not a failure? An increase means more children are being victimized. How is that not a failure?

[Mister X]

So what you are saying is that if we stop looking for them, they will go away? Are you implying that the unit has created predators?

[A J]

Mister X, I understand your points but Factually Accurate nailed my point on the head.

I'm definitely not saying that his unit is creating the additional problems. All I'm trying to say is Corbett would rather have less victims (which means less arrests) because it would show Pennsylvanians that his predator unit is doing an effective job of deterring the crime from even happening.

Thanks for the comments.