Twanda Carlisle

==Background==
* 412 255 2137
* Member of Pittsburgh City Council in 2006
==Insights==
===To Halfway House in December 2008===
Former Pittsburgh Councilwoman Twanda Carlisle has been transferred from prison to a local Renewal Inc. community integration facility, a Department of Corrections spokeswoman said today.
"She's being treated like any other inmate," said department spokeswoman Susan McNaughton. "She's met the criteria for pre-release placement."
On March 10, 2008, Ms. Carlisle took up residence at the State Corrections Institution Muncy following a sentence of one to two years in prison on charges of diverting $43,160 of city money through consultants to personal and campaign bank accounts. She then went to SCI Cambridge Springs starting on May 16, 2008. She engaged in no misconduct and was moved to Renewal last Monday, said Ms. McNaughton.
She becomes eligible for parole on March 10, 2009, but must go before the state Parole Board before any early release.
==Details==
* In September, 2006, a judge ended impeachment proceedings against Twanda Carlisle. The judge ruled that the city's charter rules for removing elected officials violates the state constitution. Carlisle had been accused of improper spending she had authorized since 2002.
* In May 2006, the city's solicitor asked District Attorney Stephen Zappala to investigate Carlisle's spending practices -- specifically looking at the money she has spent on various consultants.
** DA Stephen Zappala has been investigating Twanda Carlisle's finances for months. Zappala says his investigation will be completed before in 2007 primary election.
"We have a surplus in Council District 9. I have not gone over budget in a few years."
In December 2006, Twanda Carlisle sent a holiday greeting letter to residents. The letter is a questionable use of taxpayer money.
** "I am mailing this out to each and every resident in Council District 9," Carlisle told KDKA, "to make sure that they actually have my phone number, know there are some wonderful development, and if they have any questions or concerns that I'm available to them. And If I use the salutation 'Season's Greetings,' it's just like using the salutation, 'Good morning' or 'Good afternoon.'" Carlisle says she decided to send the letter after talking with other council members.
* In December 2006, Capital One Bank filed an action against Councilwoman Twanda Carlisle, alleging that she failed to pay more than $4,000 in credit card debt.
** "A couple of years back, when I received a bill in the amount of 3,000 some dollars," Carlisle explained, "I told the credit card company I did not owe that. I'm more than willing to make arrangements for the 900 some dollars that I owed, but $3,000 was astronomical. Now today, it's 4,000-some dollars," the councilwoman added. "If I couldn't pay the three, what makes them think I can pay the four? So that's where I'm at with the credit card company -- wanting to sit down and have a conversation with someone that can make a decision. "
==Links==
* Ricky Burgess, opponent in 2007 race
* Ora Lee Carroll, opponent in 2007 race
* Rachel Cooper, opponent in 2007 race
===Media===
* 2015 P-G endorsement http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2015/05/04/Burgess-for-District-9-A-record-of-accomplishment/stories/201504300023
* Reluctant witnesses delaying probe of councilwoman February 05, 2007, y Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
* 
** Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said today that his staff is working toward completing its probe into Pittsburgh Councilwoman Twanda Carlisle's spending of city funds and campaign practices. But the top prosecutor said the investigation has been slowed by recalcitrant witnesses, and he could not say when it would be done. "
* City Councilwoman Goes On Offensive Lynne Hayes-Freeland (KDKA) PITTSBURGH Embattled Pittsburgh Councilwoman Twanda Carlisle is going on the offensive and speaking out about the scrutiny she's been facing over the past few months. During a special taping of this weekend's Lynne Hayes-Freeland Show, Carlisle talked about everything from her credit card spending to a controversy over sending holiday greetings to her constituents.
Carlisle
Category:Candidate 2015