“Sprague quizzed…” & ChesCo

In the context of badly-needed reform of state ethics laws, this was interesting, in the Feb. 3 Inquirer:

Sprague quizzed at Harrisburg hearing

Is the Pennsylvania Casino Assn. trying to influence legislators or educate the public? Opinions differ

by Jennifer Lin

HARRISBURG - For more than two hours yesterday, two dozen legislators grilled veteran Philadelphia lawyer Richard A. Sprague, wanting to know just what his group - the Pennsylvania Casino Association - was up to. Was the PCA, as Sprague asserted, a trade association trying to educate the public about the gaming business? Or was it, as some lawmakers suggested, a stealth lobbying group, flouting Pennsylvania’s new disclosure law for lobbyists? …

As it happens, Sprague was in the news a year ago as former state senator Vince Fumo’s former defense lawyer, but then testifying as a government witness (see “Fumo finishes testifying in corruption trial,” Daily Local News, 2/18/09). The current Sprague interrogation was an opportunity for elected officials to jump in, including ChesCo legislative district 155’s Curt Schroder:

…Several lawmakers at the hearing were visibly impatient with Sprague’s answers.

Rep. Curt Schroder (R., Chester) noted Sprague’s “legendary advocacy on display,” but took exception to what he perceived as the lawyer’s “scolding and mockery” of the spirit of the lobbying-disclosure law.

When Schroder asked why Sprague didn’t consult lawyers at the State Ethics Commission on whether PCA had to register, Sprague said: “I think I’m a better lawyer than they are.”

“That’s an interesting statement that shows a certain disdain,” Schroder responded.

“I don’t need to go to someone else to ask their interpretation,” Sprague said….

Another local connection is former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania William Lamb. Lamb and Sprague are among the 6 “Investors” listed at the SugarHouse Casino web site. Lamb is Chairman of the prominent West Chester law firm Lamb McErlane PC. The firm’s description of his many qualifications shown why he is “highly sought after for his political acumen on the federal, state and local levels,” including, among other background,

• Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania, Former Vice Chairman

• Chester County Republican Committee, Former Chairman

But for some reason, the site does not mention his prominent role alongside Richard Sprague in the gambling industry.