Congressional Candidate Responds To Negative Campaign Ad
By: Andy Mehalshick
Updated: April 19, 2012
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County-- Matt Cartwright says he was outraged when he saw a TV ad that implies he paid a bribe to a Luzerne County Judge to ensure a favorable ruling in a medical malpractice case. The Holden endorsed ad says Cartwright made a campaign contribution to former Judge Michael Toole to influence him in the case. Toole is now serving time on unrelated corruption charges. Cartwright held a news conference on the steps of the County Courthouse Thursday and was joined by his client and a juror from the case. Client Michele Kachurak said, "I could not believe what was happening. I endured a long trial and won it on the merits and the truth of the malpractice." Juror Brandie Stetz said, "We deliberated the case and heard all the evidence. The Judge had nothing to do with our verdict." Holden issued a statement Thursday calling on Cartwright to join him in stopping negative ads.
