Pietragallo’s Raspanti Weighs In On A.G. Kane’s Pick To Review Sandusky Case

As reported widely on Tuesday, Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane appointed former prosecutor, H. Geoffrey Moulton, Jr., as the Special Prosecutor to lead her office’s examination of Governor Tom Corbett’s pursuit of the case during his tenure as Attorney General.  The appointment of Moulton represents follow-through by Kane on a campaign promise to probe the handling of the matter. 

During the campaign, Kane’s primary criticism of Corbett’s investigation was the length of time it took (33 months) to conduct the investigation through a grand jury.  She stressed that the case could have been handled in a much more swift fashion, which would have permitted the arrest of Sandusky shortly after the first accuser came forward.

The selection of Moulton, a former Assistant U.S Attorney in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and now a professor of law at Widener University School of Law in Delaware, has been hailed widely as an excellent pick.

On Tuesday, The Legal Intelligencer’s report on Kane’s selection, included the observations of Pietragallo’s Marc Raspanti.  He commented that the length of the investigation to be undertaken by Moulton would come down to its scope. 

“Will it be a fresh review where every piece of evidence is looked at?”  Raspanti said.  “If that’s the scope, it will take a long time – 6 months, 8 months to a year.”

As reported by The Legal Intelligencer, Raspanti has tried cases against Moulton.  Based on that experience, Raspanti indicated that Kane had picked someone who maintains a laser focus on the facts and the evidence. 

Raspanti stated, “He doesn’t get distracted by many other things.  He just doesn’t.  It’s not his nature.”

Raspanti also indicated that politics would not play any role in Moulton’s work. 

“I don’t know what his party affiliation is, and as I sit here, I can’t tell,” Raspanti said.  “That’s a good thing.”

Moulton is expected to begin his investigation immediately, likely assembling a small team from within the Office of Attorney General.  Kane said that Moulton will report directly to her throughout the process, and that the findings will be made available to the public after the investigation is complete.