For the second time this summer, lawyers for Lackawanna County Commissioner A.J. Munchak and former Commissioner Robert Cordaro have asked a federal judge to give them more time to prepare their defense in their public corruption case.

On Thursday, Chris Powell, the Scranton lawyer representing Mr. Munchak, filed court papers asking for another 30 days to file pretrial motions. Mr. Powell said Mr. Cordaro's lawyer, William Costopoulos, agrees and also wants more time to prepare.

The original deadline was June 30, but it was extended until July 30 at the request of the defense. If U.S. District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo grants the latest request, the deadline will be pushed back to Aug. 30.

In asking for more time, Mr. Powell cited a recent U.S. Supreme Court opinion dealing with "honest services fraud," one charge contained in a 40-count indictment against Mr. Cordaro and Mr. Munchak. Mr. Powell said the defense needs more time to assess what impact the recent ruling may have the government's case against Mr. Cordaro and Mr. Munchak.

OPINION!
EVERYONE HAS AN OPINION ON ANYTHING WHERE IS THE LAW! MY OPINION IS THAT THEY ARE GUILTY.

I GUESS AS LONG AS YOU ARE HONEST AND TELL EVERYONE THAT YOU COMMITTED FRAUD ITS LEGAL. "WHAT A FVCKING JOKE!"

Mr. Cordaro, who served two terms as commissioner, and Mr. Munchak, who has vowed to stay in office while fighting the charges, have pleaded not guilty. The indictment, which alleges they accepted large cash kickbacks from vendors who received county contracts, was handed up March 16. The trial is scheduled Oct. 25.

Mr. Munchak's fellow commissioners, Mike Washo and Corey O'Brien, have publicly asked Mr. Munchak to resign, an idea backed by Lackawanna County District Attorney Andy Jarbola.

The charges against Mr. Munchak and Mr. Cordaro include racketeering, conspiracy, honest services fraud (HONEST SERVICE FRAUD AGAIN AS LONG AS YOUR HONEST YOU CAN COMMIT FRAUD) and tax evasion. Mr. Cordaro also is charged with money laundering.

CORDARO! Hey AJ Lets take some money and lets be HONEST tell the    
                   taxpayers are doing it AJ according to my lawyers OPINION its
                   legal! Paul and I and Tommie and Chuckie, are thinking about taking
                   a golf trip to the Bahamas. Paul said he may not make it but Borio
                   will go instead.

MUNCHAK! I think that would be a good idea, I could use some cash and as long
                    as we tell everyone and be HONEST about it as you say I guess its
                    OK.
                    Bob, Can I go with you guys, 

CORDARO! We already have a foursome and you will be the odd man out, and 
                    we already have 4 HOT BROADS lined up but I have a little
                    something for you here is $15,000 use it for whatever you like. 
                    Chuckie gave it to  me. He said he had extra money for some work 
                    but I want to be HONEST so it won't be illegal.

MUNCHAK! Gee thanks Bob, I think I will use it for down payment on my Condo
                    in Florida. I guess its legal because we are being
                    HONEST!                   


If convicted, Mr. Cordaro faces up to 364 years in prison and Mr. Munchak up to 193 years. Both men are also facing potential fines in the millions of dollars



DON'T YOU THINK ITS TIME FOR THESE GUYS TO FACE THE COURTS.
IF THAT WERE YOU OR I WE WOULD ALREADY BEEN IN JAIL. HOW COME OTHERS WHO ARE EITHER GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY GO RIGHT TO JAIL UNTIL TRIALS.