Montgomery County, PA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 11, 2008

 

 

 

District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman announced today that she has formed a Public Corruption Unit to investigate and prosecute cases involving abuses of power should they occur within Montgomery County.  Heading the Unit will be Assistant District Attorney Samantha Cauffman, who was recently promoted to Team Captain. ADA Cauffman will report directly to First Assistant District Attorney Kevin R. Steele on matters relating to the Public Corruption Unit.  Detective/Lieutenant Mark A. Bernstiel will be assigned to provide investigative support as needed.  Among his other accomplishments, Lt. Bernstiel heads up the Special Investigation Unit and is experienced in all manner of wiretap and grand jury investigations. Lt. Bernstiel formerly headed up the elite CLEAN Unit in Norristown.

“With all I see reportedly going on in Washington, Harrisburg and Philadelphia, I understand people’s outrage when it comes to public corruption,” DA Ferman said. Our residents must know that there is an office in Montgomery County where they can raise their concerns, where those concerns will be taken seriously, and where nobody need fear official retribution.”  “The public has lost confidence in many of their elected leaders and in government as a whole.  We want to do what we can to help restore that confidence in government at the local and county level,” said Ferman.

The District Attorney said she has given the new unit the full power of the District Attorney’s Office including the Investigating Grand Jury, immunity, informants and wiretaps.  “I am aware that these are crimes often committed in secret where our strongest investigative methods are necessary to gather the evidence.”  “Those who abuse their power often believe themselves untouchable because of their public position or public influence.  I can assure the people of Montgomery County that nobody is ‘untouchable,’” District Attorney Ferman concluded.

 

Approved for release:

 

 

Risa Vetri Ferman