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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Brown, Allen Ignore Controller's Travel Expense Memo

Last Tuesday, Northampton County Controller Steve Barron, by memorandum, asked both Executive John Brown and Deputy Director of Administration Cathy Allen to reimburse the County approximately $1,500 for violating travel expense policy.He asked for $1,006.85 from Allen and sought another $528.64 from Brown. Both had overbilled the County for mileage. Allen had also charged a few meals. Barron asked for a reply or a sit-down within five days. He got neither.

As of the close of business yesterday, Barron informs me that his memo has been greeted with silence. In fact, the Executive has re-directed a county-owned car from Gracedale to Allen's Department of Administration.

Basically, they're daring him to take them on, instead of sitting down to discuss the matter like grown-ups.

Barron's Solicitor is currently considering a surcharge, which is the imposition of personal liability on public officials who negligently or willfully misuse the public purse. If he goes that route, Brown and Allen are on their own. They have no right to use the County's legal advisors in a matter of personal liability.

John Stoffa had to hire a private attorney when a group of taxpayers attempted unsuccessfully to surcharge him, Ron Angle and even me.

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good! Make those cheating snots pay one at or the other. Fight the good fight, Steve.

Anonymous said...

If Allen gets a County vehicle to go to work and home, are the rest of the County employees going to get one too? Only fair, especially since they get paid much less. More unfairness towards employees by Brown!! Let the expense of using the car come out of her salary as a benefit (which other employees don't and takes money that could be used towards employees benefits) have!

Anonymous said...

Actually Stoffa's misuse of county resources to assist you and Angle were far more serious than this.

Anonymous said...

only this ass clown could make barron look like a hero.

Anonymous said...

This policy goes for all employees and he and Allen are employees and are not exempt! Thank you Mr. Barron. Why do these people think they are above the rules? I think this attitude is why employees hate the current administration. Pay back the money. They would have taken it out of my check!!!

loving every minute said...

keep up the good work John. Continue to show them who is the real leader, continue to cut the parasites and weaken the greedy unions

Anonymous said...

Barron needs to hold these people accountable with anything he can do today!

Morganelli needs to file criminal charges today!

Anonymous said...

The IRS will expext them to claim this income on their tax returns. The cars, the gas, the meals, will financial gains. I'm wondering if they did this with their illgotten gains in Bangor? Can we see their financial interest reports as elected officials? Or did the Bangor copies "disappear"?

When will they stop screwing the tax-payer? This has to be illegal!?

Tired of Being Broke said...

This is rediculous! When is someone going to do something with these people! Those GD cars are needed at GD. It's another Slap in the face to Gracedale & it's residents!! I along with hundreds of other GD employees had to give back $3 million to "SAVE GRACEDALE" & now we have to come up with another $5200 per employee to use our health ins starting Jan & the county taxed are also getting raised so How can they get away with charging the county for gas, lunch , transportation & now they get to use Gracedale's cars. I am infuriated & starting to feel embarrassed to say I'm a County Employee

Stacy Soldo said...

@loving every minute. Exactly what was it you gave back to the county?? How are we greedy?? We have given up millions. Of course you can't post your name..so I will. You have no clue therefore you are CLUELESS!

Bernie O'Hare said...

"If Allen gets a County vehicle to go to work and home,"

I do not believe the car is for commuting.

Anonymous said...

7:31.......this coming from a someone who has been unemployed for the last decade, lost her house and contributes nothing to the tax base. Get a job and stop being a drain on society! Remember some people are givers and some (like you) are takers!

Stacy Soldo said...

Bravo! Well put!

Cheryl Briehof said...

For "loving every minute of it" where the helll do you get off I work fulltime for northhampton county living pay check to paycheck to support my children and apparently people like u system suckers until you know what it means to work please keep your 2 cents to yourself. In my eyes for everything that has been taking from us and with healyhcare hoing upni feel like I'm living on minimum wage. Sorry its not right thank you sincerely Cheryl m breihof

snicker said...

9:20,

just more union backed woe is me BS. suck it up in the real world

loving every minute said...

11:31,

Cheryl,

After reading your comment I have one request. Please do not home school your children.

snicker said...

9:20, 11:31,

quit blogging on county time. The administration should track all activities on county computers and deduct one hours pay for each time you abuse the county by using your county owned computer for personal use

Bernie O'Hare said...

Snicker does not identify herself, but we all know who she is. As a county employee, she lasted 1 1/2 days before walking off the job. She didn't like being told she was late.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Loving every minute and snicker are both the same person.

Anonymous said...

Tricia..take your drugs and ante up the judgement money you owe Bernie!

Anonymous said...

John Brown shouldn't ask himself why he was only a one-term executive.

It's going to be four years of this tit for tat power struggle between Brown, Council, Barron, depending on the issue or topic of the time.

Nothing positive will be accomplished. A wasted four years ahead. Same could be said for Lehigh County where you've got a similar hostile relationship between Muller and the Commissioners so early in his term.

Between this sort of nonsense about mileage and seeing Brown out and about I get the impression of a man who hates his job. His heart and passion aren't in it. You can see it. I doubt he'll see it through.

Anonymous said...

bROWNPANTS SUCKS! He sucked in Bangor, and now he sucks even more in Easton. he will rape the county for 4 years along with his cronys, and then slink off.

Anonymous said...

Its patently unimaginable how much space Trish rents inside your head....is been years, yet you continue to malign, badger, impersonate and bully from a keyboard.

Your a real winner

You hatred of women shines brighter than the Bethlehem star.

Cuk-Coo!

Stacy Soldo said...

Bernie.. Tell loving every minute of it and snicker... Have the balls to post your name. I at least have been employed for 21+ years for the county. And what dies spelling have to do with the issues at hand??? Get a life, a job, and keep your opinions to yourself. BTW..we are entitled to breaks but you wouldn't know that since you don't work. Instead of reading this blog.. Try the classifieds

Cheryl breihof said...

Ever hear of type o idiot? Do us all a favor and keep you opinion to yourself. While your on here look for a job

Bernie O'Hare said...

"You hatred of women shines brighter than the Bethlehem star."

I mentioned no name and realize that these comments come from three people: Mezzacappa, Henry Schaadt and the Blog Mentor.

If Henry Schaadt and Blog Mentor want to describe themselves as women, so be it. I am unclear on whether Mezzacappa is a woman. I know she's no lady.

Anonymous said...

Strange...before shit hit the fan when she found out what a sleeze you are, you had nothing but compliments for the "hot blonde?

http://www.lehighvalleyramblings.blogspot.com/2011/03/behind-enemy-lines.html

Can you comment on this please?

Stacy Soldo said...

@2:44 who cares??? And talk about bullying from a keyboard. Are we not debating on the issue with Brown/Allen at hand? So you resort to name calling? Classy

Bernie O'Hare said...

This thread is about Brown and Allen's travel expenses, not Tricia Mezzacappa. But when she was three years younger and saner, she did make a good first impression. It is the second and third impressions that become scary. Additional comments that attempt to sidetrack this conversation will be deleted.

Stacy Soldo said...

Thanks Bernie!

Stacy Soldo said...

You're an idiot. Not all county workers use county computers for personal use. People like you have nothing better to do than bash hard working individuals. You make me sick. Yet you hide behind a nickname.

loving every minute said...
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Anonymous said...

Interesting since most Field Officers and others who have to do home visits and travel from the prison to West Easton and other locations (in the name of their job), have to use their own vehicles and gas and don't get reimbursed, much less a car. This guy is OUT OF HAND!!!!!!!!

Stacy Soldo said...

What upsets me, as well as many county workers, is the fact we were called sponges, told to tighten our belts, and gave back to keep our heads afloat for the love of our job. It angers me to hear about Brown & Allen abusing their power to get a "free ride" from taxpayers. And yes, I am also a taxpayer as well as a county employee. I'm sick and tired of being told to suck it up, welcome to reality and suckers. I gave, earned and have every right to expect better than what we are being handed.

Anonymous said...

what did you mean people went after you for surcharge? that confused me Bernie

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loving every minute said...
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loving every minute said...
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Felix Unger said...
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