Incumbent cites DUI case. Goodman says get back to real issues.

Schuylkill County District Attorney Frank R. Cori has returned the fire of Democratic opponent James P. Goodman.

Goodman, a former assistant district attorney, hopes to unseat Cori, a Republican, in the November general election.

Goodman has attacked Cori, saying he allows too many plea bargains, has a low conviction rate and has allowed alleged criminals to go free because he waited too long to bring them to trial.

Cori produced photocopies of court documents that show that Goodman was arrested on Jan. 1, 1999, in Atlantic City, N.J., for driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and failure to follow the directions of an officer.

Goodman bargained, and the charges of reckless driving and failure to observe directions of an officer were dropped.

He later appealed his six-month license suspension in Schuylkill County Court, but withdrew the appeal.

Goodman was an assistant district attorney from 1997 through 2001, the year Cori was elected. He practices mainly criminal defense with a Pottsville law firm.

Goodman, contacted later, said Cori is trying to distract voters.

''This DUI was something that I brought up. I pleaded guilty. It was a mistake I made that I learned from, personally and professionally and I moved on,'' Goodman said.

In September, Goodman said at a news conference in front of the prison that Cori has a ''poor record in prosecuting drug cases'' and Goodman vowed to stop allowing people arrested on drug charges to negotiate plea bargains.

''He will say anything to take voters' focus off the important issues of the drug problem and protecting the safety of our families,'' Goodman said Wednesday.

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