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- Posted April 20, 2012 by
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Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
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Cartwright Exposes Dirty Political Ads
Matt Cartwright held a press conference Thursday to say his opponent for the Democratic nomination in the 17th Congressional District had “gone too far.”
Cartwright, 50, of Moosic, stood outside the Luzerne County Courthouse flanked by the woman he represented in a liability case and a member of the jury that awarded her $3 million.
They were there to talk about a 30-second TV commercial produced by the U.S. Rep. Tim Holden’s campaign that implied Cartwright’s law firm – Munley, Munley & Cartwright – donated to the campaign of former Luzerne County Judge Michael Toole campaign in return for a favorable verdict in the malpractice case.
Holden, a 10-term incumbent from St. Clair and the senior member of the Pennsylvania congressional delegation, has pulled the ad. Toole pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges and is serving a prison sentence.
Appearing with Cartwright was Michelle Kachurak, 41, of Hunlock Creek, the woman whom Cartwright represented. She was misdiagnosed with cancer and endured seven months of chemotherapy before seeking a second opinion that disclosed she never had cancer.
She said she has struggled with physical and emotional after-effects of the ordeal.
Brandy Stets, of Wilkes-Barre Township, sat on the jury that awarded Kachurak the money. She said she was shocked by the ad Holden’s camp produced. The case took place in 2007.
Cartwright called the ad “malicious and slanderous.” He said it accused him and his family of improper ethical behavior.
“I understand politics is a tough sport,” he said. “But my opponent ran an ad that accused me of bribing a judge.”
Cartwright said the donation to Toole’s campaign was made years before the corruption scandal broke. He said he and his family have contributed to many campaigns over the years.
From Bill O'Boyle, Times Leader
Cartwright, 50, of Moosic, stood outside the Luzerne County Courthouse flanked by the woman he represented in a liability case and a member of the jury that awarded her $3 million.
They were there to talk about a 30-second TV commercial produced by the U.S. Rep. Tim Holden’s campaign that implied Cartwright’s law firm – Munley, Munley & Cartwright – donated to the campaign of former Luzerne County Judge Michael Toole campaign in return for a favorable verdict in the malpractice case.
Holden, a 10-term incumbent from St. Clair and the senior member of the Pennsylvania congressional delegation, has pulled the ad. Toole pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges and is serving a prison sentence.
Appearing with Cartwright was Michelle Kachurak, 41, of Hunlock Creek, the woman whom Cartwright represented. She was misdiagnosed with cancer and endured seven months of chemotherapy before seeking a second opinion that disclosed she never had cancer.
She said she has struggled with physical and emotional after-effects of the ordeal.
Brandy Stets, of Wilkes-Barre Township, sat on the jury that awarded Kachurak the money. She said she was shocked by the ad Holden’s camp produced. The case took place in 2007.
Cartwright called the ad “malicious and slanderous.” He said it accused him and his family of improper ethical behavior.
“I understand politics is a tough sport,” he said. “But my opponent ran an ad that accused me of bribing a judge.”
Cartwright said the donation to Toole’s campaign was made years before the corruption scandal broke. He said he and his family have contributed to many campaigns over the years.
From Bill O'Boyle, Times Leader
- TAGS:
- pennsylvania,
- congress,
- tim,
- congressional,
- 17th,
- holden,
- cartwright,
- district,
- matt
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