News & Press Release
Jul 10th, 2007 by JamieB
A couple of recent items of interest:
• News
Local FBI agent’s records could be made public
The disciplinary records of the lead FBI agent investigating former Allegheny County Coroner Dr. Cyril H. Wecht could be made public next week unless federal prosecutors appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia on Monday declined to reconsider its earlier decision that certain documents contained in Special Agent Bradley Orsini’s personnel file should be released. Orsini has been reprimanded several times during his career, according to court filings.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, among others, petitioned the court to unseal several documents, including Orsini’s records. In June 2006, a judge agreed.
Wecht, 76, of Squirrel Hill, was charged in January 2006 with 84 counts of fraud and theft. In court papers, Wecht’s lawyers accused Orsini of asking a former colleague to lie during an internal investigation into Orsini’s alleged misconduct.
• Press Release
New Statute Extends Sunshine Law Coverage to Panel Overseeing Medicaid Drugs
Legislation that extends Sunshine Law coverage to the committee overseeing drugs for Medical Assistance recipients has been signed into law, Sen. Ted Erickson (R-Delaware), Chairman of the Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee, announced today.
Sen. Erickson inserted an amendment into House Bill 1367 which will require that the Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee in the Department of Public Welfare conduct its meetings in accordance with the state Sunshine Act. As a result, all meetings of that committee, including those at which votes are taken, must be open to the public, with advance public notice.
The Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee, whose members are selected by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, reviews and makes recommendations on which drugs will be available to Medical Assistance recipients. These recommendations can have dramatic consequences both for the health of patients and the cost to taxpayers.
“My Senate colleagues and I have worked throughout this session to make government more open and accountable. Certainly, any state-appointed entity that influences which drugs are available and paid for under the Medical Assistance Program should conduct its business under rules that will ensure public notice and input,” Sen. Erickson said. “The Senate has also passed legislation to increase the fines for violating the Sunshine Law, and we are putting a host of legislative information online for public viewing. This is one more step in our ongoing effort to make government more transparent.”