Dear
Friends,
Good morning. Did you read Dalondo
Moultrie’s story about the Montgomery County District Attorney selling
confiscated property on the Internet? Moultrie reported (July 12) that Bruce
Castor has turned to eBay to sell convicted drug dealers’ property. I wondered
whether Diane Gibbons, Bucks County’s D. A., would choose a similar route?
“District Attorney Bruce L. Castor
Jr. announced Monday that his office has opened a store on the popular online
auction site (eBay) to sell everything from cars to guitars to big screen TVs,”
the Call reported. “The money generated from the sale of the forfeited
equipment will be pumped into future drug investigations and stings in Montgomery
County- and save taxpayers mounds of money,” Castor said.
Castor has been successful in the
new approach. Already, the DA’s office has sold guitars and amplifiers. It
expects to expand eBay auctions to include big-ticket items like cars, jewelry
and electronics.
But Gibbons is happy with her
program and does not expect to join Castor on the Internet. “You might be able
to make more money on eBay,” Gibbons began, “But if you sell [forfeited]
property locally, local people will benefit. Since local residents suffer from
drug dealing, local residents should benefit.
“We have a very successful
forfeiture program in Bucks County,” Gibbons continued, “So there’s sufficient
money to fund the local police investigation of drug trafficking in their
towns. We’ve seized millions [of dollars] since the program started. And all
that money is used for local police investigation. That saves the tax payers,”
she said.
The Call reported that Gibbons has
confiscated some collectable items including a jersey autographed by Michael
Jordan and flashy cars including a Dodge Viper. I wonder what a Rolls Royce
would bring? Wouldn’t it be grand to pick up a Rolls for ten cents on the
dollar?
“I love the program because the drug
dealers are paying for the enforcement,” Gibbons added. Bucks holds forfeiture
auctions each fall and spring. “We’ve sold property, houses, land…even
horses…and cash.” I forgot to ask her how she auctions cash. For example, if
there’s $10,000 being auctioned, does the winning bidder get the ten grand if his
bid is $5,000? Why wouldn’t the DAs office keep the money and use it for local
police work instead?
But I stray.
At the end of our conversation, I realized
that there’s a big question running around the courthouse about Gibbons’
interest in the court of common pleas. At the moment, there’s no vacancy but
you never know if opportunity strikes. “When will you throw your hat in the
ring.” I asked?
“I love this job too much,” Gibbons
replied. “I won’t be a candidate for a judgeship anytime soon,” she laughed.
We’ll just have to stay tuned.
Sincerely,
Charles Meredith
PS.
On an unrelated subject, did you know Jim Scanlon’s father served as Secretary
of Education for two governors, one Democrat and one Republican? Wouldn’t it be
ironic if Governor Rendell chose the Quakertown school superintendent to
succeed former education secretary Francis Barnes? Barnes quit the state post
and returned to the Palisades’ helm. I wonder what recommendations Scanlon
would make to level the playing field for all Pennsylvania students and how to
abandon the property tax for schools? Could Rendell be considering Scanlon and
if the governor offered the position, would Scanlon take it? As Education
Secretary, Scanlon would be a plus for Pennsylvania but leave huge shoes for Quakertown
to fill.