Hizzoner Mike Fleck Goes to Court

Mike Fleck moved at lightning speed through the courts when trying to knock witwit Pat Colicchio off the ballot. But today's story is about a different kind of lawsuit, the kind in which Mike is a defendant.

Yesterday, I grabbed my machete, and headed towards Easton. Hacking my way for hours through all the campaign signs littering Easton, I finally made it to District Judge Gay Elwell's office, located in the heart of the city.

A woman is what motivated this Easton safari. I've never met her, and doubt seriously our paths will ever cross. But the story of Pam Haus' lawsuit against Easton mayoral aspirant Mike Fleck, made me curious. Why did she claim Fleck owed her $5,389? What happened? Did it have "no merit," as Fleck had claimed? Would it be settled quickly, as Fleck had told The Express Times? And why would Fleck settle a matter that had no merit?

Once I finally arrived in Magistrate Elwell's office, I learned to my dismay that the case had been transferred outside of Easton. There was no real file for me to examine. So I sharpened my machete, and began hacking my way through Mike Fleck signs once again. I finally made it to District Judge Litzenberger's office in Palmer Township as it was getting dark. Fortunately, I was still able to look at the file. This is what I learned.

Fleck was sued last November 6 in a complaint prepared by Pamela's attorney, Glenn Roth. According to the complaint, Pam had borrowed $5,389 in her own name, and then gave the money to Fleck, based on his promise to pay her back. That didn't happen, so she hired a lawyer and sued. It cost her $123 to file the complaint and the complaint was sent to Fleck by certified and regular mail. A hearing was scheduled for January 24, 2007.

Fleck, who has been portrayed in some comments as a responsible businessman, never bothered to pick up the certified mail. It was returned "unclaimed." Finally, just two days before the scheduled hearing, Fleck appeared with a written request for a continuance. Reasons? "I did not receive notice." and "I just found out Friday who my counsel is to be."

Excuse me, but if Fleck had no notice, how the hell did he know to request a continuance?

Well, Elwell's office granted the continuance, and the matter was rescheduled for March 8. But again, just two days before the scheduled hearing, Fleck's lawyer wanted a second continuance. This time, District Judge Elwell reviewed the file. Seeing Fleck's name, she immediately transferred it out of Easton.

A hearing was rescheduled in Palmer Township for April 12. But guess what? Fleck requested and obtained his third continuance. A fourth hearing date was set for this Monday, April 30. Finally, late last week, Attorney Glenn Roth called to say that the matter had settled.

I tried calling Pamela. No answer. I even tried calling her lawyer. "No comment." Their silence has obviously been purchased.

Although I can't tell you how much Pamela was paid, I can tell you this. Fleck broke his promise that this matter would be resolved quickly. He instead sought three continuances. It took him nearly six months, a very long time for a civil case to linger in district court.

As I pointed out yesterday, the new Mike Fleck sounds a lot like the old Mike Fleck.