Saturday, May 15, 2021

The Black D.A. And The White D.A.

By Ralph Cipriano
for BigTrial.net

During his last six months in office, as he ran the gauntlet of ethics officials, prosecutors and the media, former District Attorney Seth Williams got nailed at every turn.

So when Williams watches his successor in action, he could be forgiven if he feels a pang of envy.

After all, Williams went to jail for accepting as gifts -- the feds called them bribes -- occasional free flights to sunny locales, where he was also treated to free meals and hotel stays. But when District Attorney Larry Krasner took office, he made Williams look like a piker.

During his first 28 months in office, Krasner went on a globe-trotting, barnstorming all-expenses paid junket to 47 cities across the nation, as well as Vancouver, Berlin and Portugal. While the known tab ran over $100,000, taxpayers picked up 85% of the cost. Krasner's campaign contributors such as the Real Justice PAC of San Francisco, paid for the rest.

Ok, so one D.A. sold himself cheap, while the other D.A. obviously knows how to play the game so that a dollar never leaves his bulging wallet. 

But Krasner's also a tax deadbeat -- he owes $53,966 in taxes this year on a building he owns at 1221 Locust -- and he's brazenly breaking the city's campaign finance laws.

While the local limit on annual donations from a PAC is $12,600, just last year, the Real Justice PAC pumped more than $100,000 into Larry Krasner's campaign coffers, in the form of cash, in-kind service payments to Krasner's campaign staffers, and nearly $30,000 in rent money for office space leased at Krasner's tax delinquent office building. 

And not only is the city's Board of Ethics snoozing through Krasner's blatant lawlessness, but Krasner's also skating in the media, thanks to the sweetheart coverage he enjoys from his relentlessly progressive soulmates at The Philadelphia Inquirer, which has enthusiastically endorsed Krasner for reelection. 

So the question is, was there one set of standards for the black D.A. and another set of standards for the white D.A.? You know, Larry Krasner, the great white hope who's currently being hailed nationwide as that big progressive reformer of the criminal justice system?

"It’s a very, very interesting question that needs to be answered," Seth Williams said when I asked him about it.

"Yes, I was the first African American district attorney in the history of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," said Williams, 54, who served from 2010 to 2017.

When he took office, Williams said, "I was told by many people that I would have a target on my back from day one." Williams, however, thought society had evolved.

"I had hoped I we were in a post racial world," he said, adding, "I was wrong."

Williams quickly added that he was his own worst enemy.

"I should have reported all the gifts I received and there were some gifts I should have not accepted," he said. "I accepted responsibility for that with the negotiated settlement" that he signed with the city’s ethics board. 

I asked again about the disparate treatment he received, and he finally said, "I have seen many of the expenses and contributions made to Mr. Krasner. And I can only assume and conclude that different people are working in the prosecution office now than investigated me."

Williams's troubles began on Jan. 17, 2017, when the city’s ethics board fined the D.A. $62,000, its largest fine ever, for taking in $175,000 in unreported gifts over a six-year period from 2010 to 2015. The gifts that Williams received included a new roof worth $45,000 and $690 worth of Phillies and 76ers tickets. 

In the aftermath of the record fine, all of these unreported expenses were reported in detail in the press. And Williams was publicly excoriated as a disgrace to his office; the Inquirer's editorial board called on Williams to resign. 

Next, the Inquirer and other media outlets began reporting leaks from a grand jury that was investigating Williams, and had subpoenaed his campaign finance records. On March 21, 2017, the grand jury indicted Williams on 23 counts of bribery, extortion and fraud, prompting a new crop of headlines, and renewed calls to resign. 

“I am merely a thankful beggar,” Williams texted Mohammad Ali, the businessman from Jordan who testified at a federal corruption trial in 2017 that he bribed the D.A. with a trip to Punta Cana worth $6,381.

On April 26, 2017, the Ethics Board whacked Williams again, fining the D.A.'s PAC $2,000 for failing to report $11,677 in spending in 2016. Many of those unreported expenses were for personal services supplied to Williams, such as a deep tissue massage and a deep-pore cleansing facial at the Sporting Club at the Bellevue Hotel for $209. All of these expenses were reported in the media.

On June 29, 2017, the D.A. finally did resign his office and he was immediately sent to jail by an angry judge after the D.A. pleaded guilty to taking bribes such as a $3,000 chocolate-colored couch from Raymour & Flanagan, a Luis Vuitton tie worth $205, and a beat-up 1997 Jaguar XK8 convertible that no longer ran. 

Williams, sentenced to five years in jail for corruption, was released last April after serving just three years. He got out early after he successfully completed a drug rehab program, in addition to time off for good behavior.

What does Williams have to say about the grand reforms of his successor?

"We are being sold a false bill of goods," he said. "It's a false choice that we either have to reform the criminal justice and address systemic racism and systemic classicism, or improve public safety. We can do and we must do both simultaneously."

How does he feel about the sky-high murder rate? The city recorded 499 murders last year. And this year, with 192 murders so far as of Friday, a 38% increase over last year, we're on a pace to hit 688 murders.

"As a lifelong Philadelphian it breaks my heart because I know it doesn’t have to be this way," he said. Williams watched in dismay as Krasner dismantled GunStat, a program initiated in 2012 by Williams and then Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey.

GunStat sought to reduce gun violence in certain hot spots by having prosecutors seek state sentences for gun possession cases. Under the program, prosecutors tracked offenders and shared that information with other agencies. 

So it doesn't sound like the former D.A. is a fan of Larry Krasner's. What does Williams think of Krasner's challenger, former homicide prosecutor Carlos Vega?

When he came to the office as a baby ADA in the early 1990s, Williams said, he was struck by how "everybody really respected" Vega. Williams said he was also impressed by how much Vega "cared about victims' families."

"Carlos was very passionate about that," Williams said. He remembered that Vega was a popular choice in the D.A.'s office to lead CLEs for other ADAs.

And in the courtroom, Williams said, Vega was a workhorse, prosecuting some 450 cases during his 30 years in homicide.

"He specialized in the cases that most people never hear about, black on black crime, brown on brown," Williams said.

When Vega was raising his two kids a single dad, "He could have gone out and doubled his salary as a private defense attorney," Williams said. 

"Instead he chose to work overnight at UPS loading and unloading trucks. It took me to a whole 'nother level of respect for him."

21 comments

  1. i WOULD HOPE THAT ALL THE VOTERS IN PHILADELPHIA ASK THEMSELVES TWO QUESTIONS. 1-Should the voters in Philadelphia ignore the large contribution from an out of town PAC in access of our campaign finance law to Krasner? 2-Are you the citizens of Philadelphia safer today than when Krasner took office four yeas ago. Both questions can only be answered NO and a vote for Carlos Vega is a must vote if you care about Philadelphia.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Harley Belance, 11 yrs old
    Peter Gerold, 70 yrs old
    Travon Register, 6 yrs old
    Milan Loncar, 25 yrs old
    James O’connor, 46 yrs old
    Marilyn Zellars, 54 yrs old
    Jose Peralta, 55 yrs old
    Zamar Jones, 7 yrs old
    Gladys Coriano, 52 yrs old
    Ishan Charmidah Rahman,39 yrs old was pregnant - baby died as well

    All murdered by criminals let out of jail directly by Larry Krasner. Court documented public info. Facts are facts. Google each name

    ReplyDelete
  3. Harley Belance, 11 yrs old
    Peter Gerold, 70 yrs old
    Travon Register, 6 yrs old
    Milan Loncar, 25 yrs old
    James O’connor, 46 yrs old
    Marilyn Zellars, 54 yrs old
    Jose Peralta, 55 yrs old
    Zamar Jones, 7 yrs old
    Gladys Coriano, 52 yrs old
    Ishan Charmidah Rahman,39 yrs old was pregnant - baby died as well

    All murdered by criminals let out of jail directly by Larry Krasner. Court documented public info. Facts are facts. Google each name

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh come on, Ralph! Williams is still his own worse enemy and is doing a half-baked mea culpa tour, complete with the substance abuse issue, which seems like it's clearly a crutch upon which to blame his egregious behavior. Please, let's not forget that the grateful beggar sole from his own mother. There's no need to make any sort of a race issue. Williams' terrible aims begat the nightmare that is Krasner. They are both terrible in their own way and we don't need to make excuses for anyone.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Everybody deserves a second chance. Seth Williams is still a young man. Who knows what good he could do as he embarks on a second career. I, for one, wish him well.

    And I'm sorry, I'm usually the last guy to play the race card but the contrast in how the black D.A. and the white D.A. were treated speaks for itself. Something is terribly wrong with this picture.

    Larry K, the great white hope, is doing more damage to the minority community he claims to be helping that anyone else I can think of.

    I'm reminded of the white liberal who asked Thomas Sowell what he could do to help blacks, and Sowell responded, "Nothing."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael Weiss is so elite, he avoids much if any scrutiny or shame. What's that about?

      Delete
    2. So Krasner deserves a second chance? Second term?
      I truly hope not!

      Delete
    3. Ralph, I appreciate your reply to me. I still take issue, however. Williams' entreaties were far more egregious than you have portrayed. He is a victim of his own appetites and hubris. He always thought he was smarter than others and frankly deserved all that came his way. I do believe that there was far more the feds could have indicted him on, but went with these charges first. Williams had his hand out and did throw cases as a result of the riches received. Krasner's travels are of the sort many politicians receive, whether we agree with the purpose or not. In fact, I seem to recall Williams taking a trip to California meet with the current vice predict, then state attorney in order to discuss her methods for reform.
      For the record, Krasner must go, but Vega is a poor choice at best to replace him. We really need to do better as a city.

      Delete
  6. Perhaps Williams could solicit aid from his drug dealing cronies and commission You to write another Memoir about a lying, thieving Politician.

    2nd Chances are for the Innocent not for a Serial Criminal Masternmnd.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But if he dose,he best leave out any refetence to Michael Weiss. Weiss enjoys platinum white privelege. The Inquirer calls him "iconic" even AFTER he deprived the city and by extension, poor, historically underserved communities of color of public funds and resources.

      Delete
  7. State AG Shapiro should resign as he failed to investigate Krasner for all his profession transgressions in failing to enforce the law by giving black people a get out of jail card.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ralph, why did you fail to include Michael Weiss in the story?

    He is the Owner of Woody's Bar, which oppressed and excluded poor underserved communities of color with fake dress codes.
    He defrauded local, state, and federal taxes through fake non profits, contributed to the corruption of Williams, others.
    I see you listed many of the gifts Weiss gave Williams, but without identifying the grifter gifter.
    Methinks BigTrial shares some selective editting bias the Inquirer employs. Why protect Weiss? Williams did hard time, while Weiss got house arrest. the Inquirer favors Weiss, too, and gives him gentle, coverage. That being said, I agree, we simply cannot put rich, favored, white elites in prison.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Another conspiracy theorist. The story wasn't about Michael Weiss. Give me a break.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You included Ali.
      You included gifts, benefits Weiss bestowed upon Williams.
      You included oblique references to Weiss.
      The only thing you omitted was Weiss.
      Lashon hara at work i suspect.
      We need fairness, equity, truth, justice.

      Delete
    2. Ben Waxman, is this you? What's your beef with Weiss? Yes, I have deliberately plotted to protect him. Only you figured it out.

      Delete
    3. Ernie Owens, PhillyMag Editor at Large, is my guess.

      Lipson Junior, Philly's Other liberal crack head Publisher, adopted this queer drama queen and bully who has had a woody for Weiss and You for years.

      Delete
    4. All untrue!
      Also, what's with the name-calling?
      As a matter of fact, given our increasingly polarized, chaotic society, I advocate for inclusion and diversity.

      Here we have the following play-uhs, various colors, stripes, persuasions, all scamming the government to gain money and power.
      Let me break down the demographics for you:
      Williams = Black Catholic
      Ali = Brown Muslim
      Weiss = White Jew

      We see how despite, our differences, we can all come together to grift, cheat, lie, steal, and cooperate to undermine the integrity of our political offices and institu for money!

      If these charlatans are all going to grift together and rig the system, we can at least agree to include all of them.

      Delete
  10. Seth took money from his mother in a nursing home. For that, there is no forgiveness in my book and the death penalty was appropriate. However, I do agree the gifts etc are a bullshit charge they selectively go after when they want to get someone. Larry certainly has done the same. This all falls on the worthless Shapiro. He has sat by and done nothing to stop Krasner. He's just another corrupt Democrat. I am scared for Tues. Most support Vega. Has Larry done enough even the crooked Dem party will not cheat in an election again?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ali and Weiss deprived the city, state, and federal government of millions in revenue, which hurt disproportionately poor, historically underserved communities of color.
      That is worse, as we have learned today. Media like the Inquirer tells us so. Intersectionality and such.
      The scale is greater.
      Williams was their slow, inside dullard.
      Weiss calls him "Lil' Sethy". Yuk!

      Delete
  11. Seth Williams did a lot more harm, to alot more people than many people know about. Many of his prosecutions were personal attacks on people who pissed him off or stood up to him. There are many people he (personally) falsely accused, arrested, and prosecuted for crimes they did not commit. He always has an agenda. Seth Williams you are an awful person and have destroyed many lives, because you are a selfish bully. How do you sleep at night. You went to jail, but you did not pay for the crimes you actually committed. You abused your power as DA. Don't ever forget that there are many people in that office who know what you did to those people.

    ReplyDelete
  12. And I chronicled a lot of that damage on this blog. The Billy Doe case, the rogue cops case, the cases of domestic abuse that the DA wouldn't prosecute.

    ReplyDelete

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