So Senate President Pro Tem Anthony DeLuca has been cleared of the recent charges that he violated the federal Hatch Act that prohbits elected officials from exploiting government jobs for personal or political gain. Deluca says he is now completely exonerated for anything and everything he has ever done in life. He is ready for the Rapture tomorrow.
Still, a federal investigator said in a May 10 letter to DeLuca they did find “inconsistencies” between statements he and Department of Labor staff made and official records that suggest an anti-discrimination program reported to DeLuca during his first two years on the job.
DeLuca, D-Varlano, has faced intense criticism in recent months from fellow Democrats for his dual employment and how he wields his power in Legislative Hall. He said Thursday the letter “completely exonerated” him of any wrongdoing.
The letter did not say DeLuca is completely exonerated.
The Office of Special Counsel said it could find no direct evidence DeLuca had direct control of federal funds for a discrimination contract with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. If DeLuca had controlled federal funds, he could have been forced to choose between running for re-election in the 11th District next year or resigning from his $68,913-a-year job at the Department of Labor.
That’s not complete and total exoneration. That’s the federal government saying “You’re fucking lucky punk.” It means the Office of Special Counsel cannot prove it with direct evidence. It means DeLuca got away with it.
Gogan wrote, the inquiry “uncovered evidence that — to some extent — corroborated the complaint’s allegations,” such as conflicting job descriptions for DeLuca and organizational charts that suggested DeLuca was involved in discrimination investigations.
Hey, Anthony, come here. Listen close. Take this good fortune you have just received and go to Vegas. It is time for you to retire.