HE'S BACK

HE'S BACK

February 8, 2008

Washington-Embattled former District Attorney John C. Pettit has decided to return from his golfing trip to New Zealand to fight the potential federal charges against him.

Pettit, the longest serving District Attorney in Washington County history has been the subject of an Federal investigation for over four years. Chief amongst the potential charges are that Pettit arranged for preferential treatment in exchange for political and possible monetary favors.

Speculation has settled on a group of individuals including well known private detective Michael Tarbuck, Car Dealer Vince LoCastro and a series of well known prostitutes and drug dealers.
One of this petty criminals is a female named Tiffany Ryan. Ryan has already testified before the Grand Jury, which will be reconvening shortly, about her relationship with Petitt. Pettit has been alleged to have signed Ryan out of jail on numerous occasions including once to go to her grandfather’s funeral, a man that was a friend of Pettit in the past.

While the federal government and most sources have confirmed that there was a possible physical relationship between the two individuals, Pettit has consistently told friends and associates that he was just helping out Ryan.

Other possible problems for Pettit have arisen out of the 2003 Election Day Massacre, which called into question both Pettit’s skill as an attorney and his moral standing. While he has acted disgusted at every moment when asked, Pettit was considered a suspect for a period in the homicide. Many within the general public still seem to associate Pettit with the homicide even if there is no evidence to link him to it.

Other issues that are lurking for Pettit are the use or misuse of Drug Task Force money and staff. Whether these allegation will become part of a state or federal case remains to be seen.
Finally, Pettit could be facing a series of allegations related to taking drug dealers and prostitutes from the county jail to local crack houses. At these homes, Pettit allegedly allowed the individuals to buy and use drugs, rejoining him afterwards.

Pettit is also facing the possibility of a nasty divorce from his long time wife and mother of their three children. Pettit’s alleged affairs appear to have finally ended the tolerance of his long suffering wife, Sandra.

But why return was the question that many were asking this week. What could he gain from returning to face the possibility that he might spend the rest of his natural life in jail.

One possibility is that Pettit is working out a plea agreement with the Federal Government. While facing a series of Federal charges, Pettit could deal for the lightest possible sentence combined with a choice of Federal prisons. Many potential felons try to negotiate where they will spend their time to avoid the more nasty prisons. Pettit, being familiar with the system, would know the best prisons to spend time.

Another possibility is that Petitt has always been a fighter. As a man that believes that he can manipulate anything and do anything he wants, Pettit would see that there was a way out, even when there might not be one. His political career was a testament to his skill as a combatant, a feared opponent and his tenacity.

Whether those skills will be enough for the long time District Attorney to overcome the potential federal charges is unknown. What is known is that Pettit has returned form his trip to New Zealand ready and able to fight for his life, his reputation and his family name.