Tiffany Ryan Testifys

TIFFANY RYAN TESTIFYS

January 25, 2008

Pittsburgh-With Tiffany Ryan having been seen entering to testify, some speculation has centered that records could be an early focus of the Federal government’s grand jury investigation into former District Attorney John Pettit.

The Federal government seized a large number of records from the office of District Attorney John Pettit before he left office. These records could be part of the basis of the case against the long time District Attorney.

Pettit, a fixture in Washington County politics, was once one of the most powerful figures in Washington County. Few would dare cross him and only then at their peril. But his power was ended by the combination of a federal investigation in his alleged misdeeds, the bravery of young man to run against him, a huge grassroots movement of citizens which were given a voice by this very publication. The result was a “perfect storm” of politics giving his 28 year old Republican challenger a 2 to 1 victory in a county dominated by Democrats.

Ryan, who testified on Wednesday, was alleged to have been very close to Pettit and was the subject of undue attention from the District Attorney. When her grandfather died, it was Pettit that signed her out of the Allegheny County jail and took her to the funeral. This was unusual attention to give to a person with a history of drugs and prostitution arrests.

Ryan was a major focus of the Federal investigation into Pettit, though what she had knowledge of is only know to the Federal government and the Grand Jurors.

Ryan’s transportation logs were seized from the county jail and from the Washington County Sheriff’s office. Deputy Sheriff Jimmy D’Alessandro was to testify regarding the transportation logs on Wednesday, but he told not to report early Wednesday. Whether he will later report is unknown
at this time.

The Observer-Reporter has reported that Pettit’s right hand man, Detective Anthony “Bucky” Popeck is expected to also testify regarding his former boss.

Reports that the Thursday meeting of the Grand Jury was canceled has worried some observers that are concerned that Petitt might again “slip through the cracks”. Though other observers believe that the US attorney’s office is just more likely taking its time with the investigation.