Insiders argue, however, that there is a curious flaw in the plea bargain made by Pentoney. If the evidence in the case is taken at face value, it was not Pentoney who took the bribe that is, who received the money it was Melissa Morris Pentoney, Pentoney s wife. There is no evidence that she knew anything beyond a reasonable doubt of what was going on. The district attorney claims that adding her to the case would have made it more likely that the judge would give them a lighter sentence. We considered Melissa, but she probably would not have been convicted.
Judges don t like to put an entire family in jail, especially if there are children involved.
Maybe, and maybe she is being held hostage to ensure someone s silence. Several questions remain unanswered. Melissa Pentoney received checks written by Fenton to her business over a short period and in amounts uncharacteristic of bookkeeping services for a single attorney. Furthermore, during a recent telephone conversation with the couple, Melissa Pentoney seemed acutely aware of the depth of the scheme. Through tears she explained her dissatisfaction with the way in which the press had represented their story and, before an abrupt end to the conversation, explained that Insight never could report the full truth because the magazine does not have enough money or political power to get to the bottom of this story.