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For Immediate Release

Date: October 23, 2014

Contact: Tasha Jamerson
Director of Communications
W: 215-686-8711
C: 215-680-7383

District Attorney Seth Williams Statements
About the Arrest of Former Traffic Court Judge Tynes



Today we announce the first but not the last results of the
investigation of political corruption I assumed this summer from the
Pennsylvania Attorney Generals office.

Last Friday, a Philadelphia County investigating grand jury voted
to issue a presentment against former Philadelphia Traffic Court
President Judge Thomasine Tynes, for charges including bribery,
conflict of interest, and conspiracy. At 7:00 this morning, Judge Tynes
surrendered to state police troopers and detectives of this office.
Following discussions with Judge Tynes and her attorney, we have
agreed to bail conditions, and the case will be scheduled shortly for
further proceedings.
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE
THREE SOUTH PENN SQUARE
CORNER OF JUNIPER AND
SOUTH PENN SQUARE
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19107

Needless to say, in the months since this matter arose, a great deal
has happened that has served to distract public attention from the
underlying case, whether by design or otherwise. Those external events
have taken on a life of their own; they continue to swirl through the
news cycles.

Whatever the merits of those other matters may be, I believe its
important to remember where we started with evidence of
widespread, yet supposedly not prosecutable political corruption.

As it turns out, however, and as the grand jury has now found, the
facts in at least one case so far are about as simple as they probably
seemed to average citizens back at the beginning.

This is the bracelet.

Its a $2,000, Tiffany charm bracelet, the bracelet that Judge Tynes
received for promising special access to a businessman who said he was
seeking an exclusive, and lucrative, government contract.

As the presentment lays out, the businessman met with two
elected officials and an executive of the Philadelphia Parking Authority,
who directed him to Judge Tynes. In a series of conversations, the
businessman spelled out what he wanted, and the judge promised to
deliver.

We know the exact words, because the businessman was wired
for sound. At their first private meeting, the businessman said, Were
not going to the park, right? Were trying to go to the bank. The judge
responded, Dealing with the greens.

At their next meeting, the businessman handed the judge the
Tiffany bracelet, in its Tiffany blue box and bag, as, quote, a little token
of our appreciation for helping us negotiate this Traffic Court contract.
The businessman assured the judge that she would be treated as a
consultant on his business arrangements. He told her, We could set it
up so that you never have to work a day in your life.

After the judge promised to meet with the courts administrative
judge later that day, the two toasted their deal. To making some money
together, said the businessman. To making money, responded the
judge.

The businessman mentioned that, from time to time, he might
have some clients with Traffic Court problems. Just call me, said the
judge. Ill deal with them.

Months later, after she was called before a federal grand jury, the
judge contacted the businessman and told him she wanted to pay him
for the Tiffany bracelet. But she never did. She never returned it. She
never reported it.

And thats where things stood until this past March when I
learned of this case along with everyone else in Pennsylvania. It took a
while, but eventually my office received some of the materials from the
investigative file. In June, we convened a grand jury. I stated then
publicly, that the public deserved to know what happened, I stated then
that the public and the accused deserved due process, and that I would
give it to them. That was four months ago. Things might have moved
even faster, but there have been some disappointing, frustrating delays
that I am not free to discuss at this point.

What I can say, however, is that this investigation was not dead on
arrival, is definitely not over, and is most definitely moving ahead. We
know there are others who have intimate knowledge of these events.
We urge them to come forward to share what they know, before the
investigation goes forward without their information.

I would like to acknowledge the grand jurors, who are still
working hard, and in secret. And I would like to thank the Pennsylvania
State Police, who have been working with us in this investigation. We
also extend our thanks to the Pennsylvania House Ethics Committee,
which has agreed with our request that the grand jury investigation
proceed before the Committee takes further action, in order to avoid
unnecessary duplication of effort and preclude any potential conflicts.
We greatly appreciate the Committees cooperation.

When there is more to report, we will be back. Thank you.