Major Announcement by Mayor Ravenstahl this Afternoon (real estate, crime)

[Hopes]

The news conference has yet to materialize though Pennsylvania's Democratic Party chairman, Jim Burn, has said he "fully expects" Ravenstahl will announce that he will not seek re-election.

Still no word from Pittsburgh mayor on his future - Evening Sun

[Clint.]

Originally Posted by Copanut

I'd gladly pay 500 bucks every year to the city. But let me vote.

$500 won't do it, but donate 3% of your income to my special fund and you'll get an exclusive one-on-one audience with me, during which you can describe the fine qualities of your preferred candidate. I'm very impressionable.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by Clint.

$500 won't do it, but donate 3% of your income to my special fund and you'll get an exclusive one-on-one audience with me, during which you can describe the fine qualities of your preferred candidate. I'm very impressionable.

Who do I make out the check to?

[Clint.]

It would actually be a cash only transaction sir.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by Clint.

It would actually be a cash only transaction sir.

Judge Judy doesn't like those!

[greg42]

According to what I'm reading now the office has actually stated there will be a press conference at 11am.

[Clint.]

What an idiot. He was poised to have a great future for himself. Not saying he won't do OK now (well, as long as he isn't imprisoned), but how stupid must he be to get involved in petty finance scandals?

Just like Blagojevich and Jesse Jackson, Jr. destroyed lucrative careers over a few dollars...insane. You have to wonder if these people are sociopaths or just fools.

[ML North]

Originally Posted by Clint.

What an idiot. He was poised to have a great future for himself. Not saying he won't do OK now (well, as long as he isn't imprisoned), but how stupid must he be to get involved in petty finance scandals?

Just like Blagojevich and Jesse Jackson, Jr. destroyed lucrative careers over a few dollars...insane. You have to wonder if these people are sociopaths or just fools.

I think it's too early to call it. Even if he does end up being implicated in something relatively minor, he can still probably go on to have a very lucrative career in the private sector. Though I do agree that this will be (at least) a setback for his career in public service.

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by Clint.

What an idiot. He was poised to have a great future for himself. Not saying he won't do OK now (well, as long as he isn't imprisoned), but how stupid must he be to get involved in petty finance scandals?

Just like Blagojevich and Jesse Jackson, Jr. destroyed lucrative careers over a few dollars...insane. You have to wonder if these people are sociopaths or just fools.

I doubt his involvement will get to the level of those two by any means but it is a shame for him and embarrassing for the city that this is happening.

[Clint.]

Right, those two were more nationally known and whatever (if anything) Luke did is almost certainly on a smaller scale. Maybe Kwame Kilpatrick is a closer (but not perfectly analogous, as that guy was pretty thoroughly corrupt) example.

In any case, one thing that Luke can take some solace in is that disgraced politicians and prominent business people can usually expect to do ok for themselves following scandal and whatever minimal punishment the courts apply. There are always people with money waiting to give it to someone they perceive as having special influence or access or knowledge, no matter how spectacularly they have failed in the past.