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Sign Bandit Caught!
Culprit is Gingrich supporter and friend!
 Susan Edris (right) leaves the office of District Judge Lee Lehman after pleading guilty. Russ Diamond (background) attended in search of an apology, but received none. PALMYRA (April 7, 2008) - Susan Edris, a supporter and friend of incumbent Mauree Gingrich, today pled guilty to charges stemming from incidents in which several of candidate Russ Diamond's campaign yard signs were stolen. Edris paid a fine, restitution and costs totalling $187.50 after appearing before District Judge Lee Lehman.  The saga began in North Londonderry Township over two weeks ago when Paul Stevens, a Diamond volunteer, noticed a sign he placed at the corner of Route 422 and Apple Blossom Lane was missing. The sign was replaced, but came up missing once again. This cycle was repeated several times and eventually a total of six signs were taken from the same location. Stevens obtained permission to place the sign on the property.
Stevens caught Edris removing a sign and placing it in a dumpster in a nearby housing development last Thursday evening. He confronted Edris and called the North Londonderry Township police, who arrived on the scene immediately. Ironically, Stevens was on his way home from attending a seminar on identity theft sponsored by Gingrich. The neighborhood where the signs were stolen is the same area where several alleged signers of Gingrich's questioned nominating petition live. Diamond challenged the veracity of the petition in court. Those Shady Lane residents were prepared to testify in Commonwealth Court that Edris was the circulator of the petition they signed, but Gingrich herself signed as the circulator of the petition which contained their names. Other witnesses whose names appeared on the petition were prepared to testify that they did not sign anything for Gingrich this year. Most of Diamond's witnesses were barred from testifying by Commonwealth Court Senior Judge Keith Quigley before he dismissed the petition review. On the witness stand in Commonwealth Court, Gingrich described Edris as "probably one of the finest people I know. She's been a friend for some time. She's worked on grass-roots campaigns with me." Diamond attended Edris' appearance in District Court to give her an opportunity to apologize, but no such sentiments were offered. |
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