U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan claims she is determined to root out the culture of public corruption in Western Pennsylvania. Given the effort put forth by her office and other branches of the federal government, one might suppose that the crimes Dr. Cyril Wecht has been accused of are the worst and the only ones the feds can dig up in our whole region ("Many Questions Surround Wecht Retrial, Set for May," April 9).

Setting aside the emotional investment and time expenditure demanded of the jurors and witnesses, and the toll on Dr. Wecht and his family, one might just focus on the expense to the U.S. Treasury. As I write the check for my federal taxes, I have to wonder how the government justifies wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars to re-enact this trial.

BARBARA M. GROSSMAN
Highland Park

I am convinced that U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan's primary concern at this time is to promote her status at the Justice Department and beyond. The Cyril Wecht trial is now a moot issue. Stop squandering taxpayer money.

CHARLES J. FOLLEN
Harmony

The circus has moved to the other end of Grant Street for a change. For any of us who are Democrats and immersed in a primary battle, the trial of Dr. Cyril Wecht is a good reminder of why we need a Democrat in the White House making wise choices of impartial judges who do not confuse Kafka with the rules of court and U.S. attorneys who do not use their office for political motives.

ROBIN BERNSTEIN
Squirrel Hill

I am amazed at the cynicism of U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan's remark after Dr. Cyril Wecht's mistrial that her office is "committed to eliminating the culture of corruption that prevails when officials at the highest levels abuse the public trust."

This comment comes from a federal prosecutor who is part and parcel of a corrupt and abusive administration that has targeted high-profile Democrats for prosecution regardless of any real evidence in order to consolidate Republican power. Talk about abuse of public trust! I wonder how this woman sleeps at night.

KENNETH L. KAUFMAN
Bethel Park

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