Webb Lawyer Shares Information with Law Enforcement

Attorney Lou Hornstine saved his best for last that crisp Saturday afternoon in early October. As the wind whistled outside, the subject was what if any investigation is currently taking place by authorities.

“As an experienced trial attorney,  I was extremely troubled by the credible facts that were gathered during the discovery phase of the Webb litigation,” he said. “Accordingly our legal team had numerous discussions with law enforcement agencies to divulge the this information. I have the up most respect for these entities. I am sure that they will independently review the evidence and decide whether or not proceed with an investigation of their own. ”

On follow-up, Hornstine was asked if he was aware of any investigations currently taking place he responded with “no comment.”

On October 23, Bucks County District Attorney David Heckler told LevittownNow.com “if new evidence were to come to light, and now that the civil matters have concluded you never know,” with regards to any ongoing investigations taking place or being initiated. On Friday night, Heckler echoed his October 23 statement.

Hornstine then moved on to current Democratic Mayoral candidate Joe Saxton who was the mayor when the Cipressi and Webb incidents took place and started.

Hornstine, as previously published, was unaware of Saxton’s crucial yet silent role until discovering the 2004 memo quoted in part two on Wednesday.

“Mr. Saxton touts his previous eight years as Bristol’s mayor and his accomplishments in his campaign literature.  He notes that he ‘tripled [the] police protection while serving as mayor. While this assertion may be accurate, let us scrutinize this alleged accomplishment.  The hires during his terms as mayor include, among others, Sam Anderson, Dean Johnson, and Maria Robles.  All three were defendants in one of the two major lawsuits that were just recently resolved with payments over $800,000. ”

Hornstine added “Mr. Anderson resigned in disgrace and served time in jail for his indiscretions. With all due respect to Mr. Saxton, I am not clear on how this fact can be construed as an accomplishment.”

In full disclosure Hornstine  represented Saxton’s opponent in the mayoral race to be finalized tomorrow, now Republican candidate Pat Sabatini in a civil case against the board of elections in June.Sabatini won that case.

So far politically, legally, and publicly Saxton has gotten off scot-free in terms of his involvement, on a number of occasions Saxton has declined to comment about the cases.

On October 7, Bristol Mayor Bob Lebo at the council meeting spoke openly and freely about his thoughts about the Webb and Cipressi settlements and why he wasn’t a part of the settlement meetings. Of note were the Mayors comments and exchanges with solicitor Bill Salerno.

One of the questions hanging left in the air that night was asked by Councilman Tony Devine, who couldn’t understand why Lebo had to have separate council after he was deposed by Webb attorney Lou Hornstine.

Lebo never addressed the councilman’s question was directed by Salerno to make no further comment on the issue because he could be “potentially exposing” the borough to future civil and or criminal actions. LevittowNow.com has made several attempts to contact the Mayor, however they have been unsuccessful.

Hornstine, however, did have what he thought was  the reason for Lebo needing his own lawyer and the nexus lying  in the relationship he has with Chief Porter.

During the deposition process of both men,  Hornstine developed a clever way of getting each man to challenge the others credibility in terms of the veracity of their testimony and character, he said.

“They called each other liars,” he said. Hornstine asked Lebo on February 14 what would he do if Porter called him a liar. According to the transcript, Lebo’s response was to discipline him.

For months now, two independent sources, with close ties to the council have said repeatedly discussions about firing the chief have taken place in executive sessions. Then, like now, terminating Porter is not likely to happen, “because of the potential for legal action exists,” said the source.

Lastly, Hornstine addressed the issue on everyone’s mind, the depositions and their release. Webb’s father, in an editorial submitted to LevittowNow.com, said he was more than willing to release them. So far that information and testimony has yet to be shared with the public.

“While customarily I would have no objection to the release of depositions, I do not want to release the names of innocent witnesses and victims. These individuals were mentioned repeatedly during depositions. It would not be fair to them. They have suffered enough.”

LevittownNow.com Publisher/Editor Tom Sofield contributed to this report.

Part 1: Attorney Breaks Silence on Case That Cost Borough $$$

Part 2:  Attorney Calls Borough’s Treatment of Bristol Officer ‘Appalling’

Previous:

• EXCLUSIVE: District Attorney Letter Doesn’t Support Borough Claims About Police Department
• Bristol Authorizes Consultant, Sabatini Calls for Forum About ‘Unanswered Questions’ & Suits
• Letter to the Editor: ‘I Will Gladly Release All The Specifics’ of Suit
• Settlement Reached with Bristol Cop, Total Cost Of Cases: Over $825K