I just sent this letter to the Inquirer's Editorial Board:

To the Inquirer Editorial Board:

In the Inquirer's endorsement of Larry Farnese dated Sunday April 13, 2008, the Editorial Board states that "...Farnese hasn't accepted donations from Fumo, and is campaigning on the kind of ethics reforms that might have kept Fumo out of trouble."

But on the very next days, April 14, 2008 and April 15, 2008, Larry Farnese accepted two $50,000 contributions from a PAC controlled by Vince Fumo, Public Service PAC. Their treasurer is publicly listed as Rosanne Pauciello - Fumo's self-styled "under-boss" (see scanned image below) and th PAC is registered at 1225 Shunk St. Philadelphia PA 19148.

"Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana in Reason in Common Sense

Is history repeating itself?

In 1978, State Senator Buddy Cianfrani was convicted of federal charges of racketeering, mail fraud, and obstruction of justice and was forced to give up his State Senate seat for a seat in jail. Buddy Cianfrani then engineered for his protege and first-cousin, 35 year old Vincent Fumo, to replace him in a special election. It is widely understood that Cianfrani pulled the strings of the young Fumo from his jail cell.

Now facing a 139 count indictment for mail fraud and obstruction of justice himself, Vincent Fumo has stepped down and is supporting Larry Farnese for state Senate. Although not a direct relative, Farnese's grandfather is closely linked with Vince Fumo. Many believe that the same strings are firmly tied to the 39 year old Farnese.

Starting his campaign with a bang, Farnese dropped out (from the top) of a four way race for State Representative to enter (at the bottom) a four way race for State Senate. Sued by opposing candidate John Dougherty, Farnese was forced to withdraw 22 whole petitions for apparent forgery. (My campaign did its own independent analysis of the signatures, found wide-spread apparent fraud - for an example, see the petitions signed by Farnese campaign treasurer and attorney Gaetano Piccirrilli at this link: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2069/2288404177_a2bf357e3d_b.jpg.) During his campaign for State Senate, Farnese has denied being "Fumo's puppet" - and claimed that he had not accepted donations from the indicted Senator... and yet, this appears to be yet another lawyerly trick (or perhaps he has quickly learned the tricks of Senator Fumo.)

During the past two years the Inquirer has asked the citizens of Philadelphia to engage in politics and activism - in its Great Expectations Forums - and to disavow cynicism. Many have done just as you've asked - and were rewarded with the election of Michael Nutter - who was outspent more than 10 to 1.

Why on earth now is the Inquirer Editorial board allowing a liar to be its endorsed candidate?

Have you no remembrance of the past? Have you been duped?

I call on the Inquirer Editorial Board to do the right thing and rescind its endorsement of Larry Farnese.

Sincerely,
Anne Dicker
Candidate for State Senate