Michael Frank Cinefra is in serious trouble. The Plum substitute teacher is charged with five felonies and four misdemeanors stemming from allegations that he bought a Plum high school student, a minor, alcohol, later engaged in kissing sessions, and worst of all, received oral sex from her. Regardless of what happens in this case, Cinefra has most certainly left behind what might have otherwise been a normal life; he will likely never teach again, and with his name and face splashed across mass media, even if he is acquitted (a long shot, to be explained below), he is going to face a tough time finding an employer willing to take a chance on him for fear of harming the employer's reputation. He is effectively branded for life.

But on to more immediate concerns -- namely, the criminal court case. Cinefra waived his right to a preliminary hearing, which means the case is automatically moved up to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, where the case will most likely be resolved via plea, or, if Cinefra is feeling lucky (or suicidal, perhaps, in chancing what may be a decades-long sentence), a trial.

So what does his attorney, Patrick Thomassey, say to the court of public opinion?

“We have a lot of things to sort out down the road,” Thomassey said. “There is no doubt the young lady instigated the relationship.”

Patrick Thomassey is a very experienced and very smart lawyer. What's the thinking behind his saying something which seems, at first blush, is rather stupid?

Pittsburgh tried to levy a tax* in 2014 which was going to cost landlords $65/unit/year in order to register the owner of every unit. That means if you own a building with three units, you will have to register with the city your contact information three separate times for $195 a year. Every year. Forever. They failed, but they're trying to do it again this year.