When Judge Jeffrey Manning saw the documents purportedly signed by state Sen. Orie’s former Chief of Staff Jamie Pavlot, he told the court: “Ray Charles could see that these documents were fraudulently composed.” (Photo: Harold Hayes/KDKA)
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Critical information in the corruption case against State Sen. Jane Orie is now in the hands of the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office.
This evening, the KDKA Investigators have details from that Secret Service report on the allegedly forged defense documents.
Back in March, the case was declared a mistrial.
The problem, according to the judge, was documents submitted by the Orie defense containing a signature of a major prosecution witness.
The signature was called an original, but a handwriting expert said it was copied. Orie’s defense team claims no responsibility and told the judge the same.
Due to a gag order, they have not been able to comment publicly.
The Secret Service analysis of the documents was expected to determine where the ink on the documents came from and if and when the documents may have been tampered with.
Sources close to the investigation indicate the Secret Service report at this time has not proven to be the “smoking gun.” Sources indicate the report is “very complex” and “vey detailed.”
Sources indicate the report points out what are called “finite differences” in the ink on the documents that may indicate possible forgeries.
However, sources stress at the time the report does not offer “any definite conclusions” about possible forged documents in the Jane Orie case and if so when they were forged or who could have been involved for that matter.
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