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State Rep. Ramaley Gives Up Nomination

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Jul 31, 2008 7:27 pm US/Eastern

State Rep. Ramaley Gives Up Nomination

WEB EXTRA: State Rep. Sean Ramaley

Reporting
Jon Delano
AMBRIDGE (KDKA) ― "This election is critical -- too critical for distractions and political cheap shots. Though I am innocent of the accusations against me, I believe my continued presence in this race for this senate seat will be a distraction."

With those words, State Rep. Sean Ramaley of Economy gave up the Democratic nomination for state Senate in Beaver County and parts of Lawrence and Allegheny Counties.

Accusing Attorney General Tom Corbett -- a Republican -- of politics, Ramaley added, "It has become clear to me, however, that the orchestrated politically inspired media event staged a few weeks ago, this campaign will ultimately be focused not on issues but one unflattering photograph."

Requiring Ramaley to enter the courthouse in handcuffs before cameras, Corbett charged Ramaley with being a ghost employee for former Rep. Mike Veon and accused Ramaley of campaigning out of Veon's office when he worked part-time for Veon in 2004.

Ramaley's attorney, Phil Ignelzi, said the timing of Corbett's charges smelled of politics.

"There were no statute of limitations problem -- why they could not have been deferred until after the election, allow the people to make their choice for senate."

Corbett denied a political prosecution, saying this is a statement to KDKA-TV Political Editor Jon Delano:

"The attorney general categorically denies the charges leveled against him by sean ramaley and his attorney that the attorney general and/or this investigation is political."

As for not waiting until voters could choose between Ramaley and the Republican candidate, Elder Vogel, the attorney general's office said:

"The charges were announced on July 10 because the grand jury recommended that the attorney general file the charges that he did against Rep. Ramaley and the other eleven defendants."

Ignelzi said the charges against Ramaley had nothing to do with bonus-gate or the other defendants.

Ramaley's move allows the Democratic Party to choose another senate nominee. Jason Petrella, who lost to Ramaley in the primary, says he wants the nod, along with Beaver County commissioner Joe Spanik, who withdrew from the race earlier this year.

As for Ramaley, "I look forward to vindicate myself against these accusations."

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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