This week’s biggest Winners & Losers

It was a pretty successful week in Harrisburg for Democratic state Rep. Sara Innamorato, who not only had a bill passed by the state House this week, but received an endorsement from Gov. Josh Shapiro as well. Shapiro said Innamorato, the Democratic nominee in the race for Allegheny County executive, has the “passion, drive, and experience to lead Allegheny County into the future.”

Starbucks is going to be paying out after a federal jury ruled in favor of Shannon Phillips, a former regional manager who was fired amid fallout from an episode at a Philadelphia location. Phillips, who is white, was fired in 2018 after police were called on two Black men in the store who were refused access to the restroom. The jury found that Starbucks violated Phillips’ civil rights for discrimination based on race and awarded her $600,000 in compensatory damages and $25 million in punitive damages – or 4.87 million venti pink drinks.

In judiciary news, the Western District of Pennsylvania officially has its 60th U.S. Attorney. Eric G. Olshan was confirmed to the position late last week, with U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman saying he’s “highly qualified” to “advance equal justice.” Olshan has served as the assistant U.S. Attorney since 2017 and worked within the economic/cyber/national security crimes unit.

Two Pennsylvania men are facing charges in a scandal involving the sale of stolen human remains, according to ABC News. A total of five people are facing charges, including Cedric Lodge, a former morgue manager at Harvard Medical School, for reportedly transporting and selling stolen remains from 2018 to 2022. The case is being prosecuted in the United States District Court Middle District of Pennsylvania.

If anyone says Philadelphians are rude, show them this story. David Patten and James Thorsen’s actions are now under investigation by the Rhode Island state police and governor after the two exhibited deranged behavior while in Philadelphia on state business. While touring Bok in preparation for a potential project in their home state, Patten and Thorsen allegedly behaved so “bizarre, offensive, and unprofessional” that word got back to the governor of Rhode Island. Patten is currently on paid administrative leave. Thorsen had submitted a letter of resignation before the trip and now works at the U.S. Treasury Department.

A Mercer County man is facing 10 years in prison for threatening to kill Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, which came after the bureau searched former President Donald Trump’s home. Adam Bies recently pleaded guilty to 14 criminal counts, and could also be forced to pay a $250,000 fine as another consequence of his actions. It looks like the FBI really did enter the chat on this one.