E-mail is overrated

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says AG Tom Corbett's case against Mike Veon may hinge on an e-mail ruling.

Prosecutors warned in a court motion obtained by The Associated Press that the corruption case against a former state lawmaker and Democratic legislative aides may hinge on how a judge rules in a battle over e-mail evidence.

Chief Deputy Attorney General Frank Fina said in papers filed in Dauphin County court Tuesday that defense attorneys do not have a legal basis to support their demands about proving e-mails are valid and viewed in the proper context.

He said the dispute, which was previously waged in secret before the judge overseeing grand jury matters, needs to be resolved before the trial begins next month for former state Rep. Mike Veon and as many as four others.

The defendants, accused of diverting state workers and resources for campaigns or other purposes, were among the first 12 to be charged in the three-year probe that has resulted in 25 arrests and one acquittal.

The e-mail issue "has been lingering undecided for over six months, and continues to resurface with a vengeance in almost every proceeding," Fina wrote. "Exclusion of the commonwealth's e-mail evidence on the grounds offered by the defense would 'terminate or substantially handicap the prosecution.'"

Corbett can be forgiven for the Ramaley acquittal.  But, the only way he can earn that forgiveness is by getting some convictions. 

The bottom line; If Veon is acquitted, Corbett's campaign for governor would take a serious hit.