Ronald L. Buckwalter is, for lack of a better word, a yutz. A total clown. The presiding judge over the most storied public office takedown in years, has handed down another gem of a sentence to Ruth Arnao: one year, one day. With good behavior, she could be out in 10 months. Mind you, Arnao, who headed Fumo’s Citizen’s Alliance for Better Neighborhoods, was found guilty on 45 counts of conspiracy, fraud, and obstructing justice. Mind you, Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Zauzmer and Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Pease, were looking for a sentence between 70-87 months.
How Buckwalter arrived at this sentence. From today’s Inquirer:
The judge said he considered the public sentiment in the case, but also a variety of other factors – the nature of the offense, Arnao’s character, how to promote public confidence in the law, and how to deter others from engaging in such crime.
“ I have to consider the need to provide a just punishment,” said Buckwalter.
Public shock ensued. But Buckwalter, ever so clever, discounted the outcry and blamed the Inquirer for stirring the frenzy pot.
Also from today’s Inquirer:
“We know how accurate the media is, don’t we?” Buckwalter said. The news media he added, “ has such a low reputation in the community.”
“ We have a watchdog in The Inquirer, but we don’t have a watchdog over the watchdog,” the judge said.
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