Mine has been restored.
What Jennings and other crony capitalists fail to acknowledge is that Miked Fleck's name isn't even mentioned in the criminal information filed against Ramzi Haddad on Thursday. That bribery prosecution places "Public Official No. 3, aka Fed Ed, at the very center of a scheme to defraud the citizens of Allentown of their right to honest services.
This is a guy who destroyed records, swept his office for electronic bugs, bought burner phones and directed Haddad to delete text messages that might incriminate him. Innocent victims don't do these things. Drug dealers and mobsters do. Pawlowski is a crook and needs to go. But he will stay until he is dragged out of that office, kicking and screaming, because he needs the money.
I have a poll on my left sidebar asking, Should Pawlowski Resign?
97 comments:
Haddad's perception of quid pro quo is not evidence that Pawlowski broke any laws. Mike'd Fleck is a weasel and a crook. If he is the FBI's star witness, they are in trouble. Your hatred of Pawlowski, now Jennings, and everything Allentown is a pathetic obsession.Pawlowski has not even been charged but you have found him guilty of bribery and what else. Guess in your world only your faves deserve to be innocent before being found guilty.
It is not Haddad's perception, but what the information alleges, that matters. There is no doubt in my mind that he is the ringleader of a scheme to defraud the citizens of Allentown of their right to honest services. This is going to be a racketeering prosecution. Based on information I developed before this prosecution, it is clear to me that there is ample evidence of Pawlowski's guilt. I have no hatred for Jennings, just his incessant cheerleading for crooks.
This nothing more than a witchhunt.
Mayor Pawlowski should be sainted for the way he had the courage to get Allentown moving forward to real progress, particularly for the economic downtrodden.
Allentown's elected City Council and School Board members have been correct not to join the would be lynch mob calling for Pawlowski's resignation.
Jennings is a heroic figure, his reputation should not be tarnished in any way.
Jennings is a humble,saintly, representative of the people. Our heroic mayor, clearly a victim of one nasty evil doer, should stay the course until Mr. Jennings recommends otherwise.
I pray to Our Lord and Savior everyday for these two selfless public servants.
These two fine men are heroic figures, their reputations should not be tarnished in any way.
Of interest, Ramzi Haddad owns the building that currently houses the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania work release correctional facility on Hamilton Street .
The fact that Pawlowski used burner phones means little.
The "Stingray Device" By Harris Corp. used by Law Enforcement to intercept cell phones calls, then through a process of "parallel construction" use those interceptions to build a parallel investigation unrelated to information illegal, or unlawfully, or unconstitutionally, obtained.
These "Stingray Devices" can be purchased by political opponents or news outlets, like Rupert Murdoch's British rag, and used to subvert elections or potentially used to "parallel construct" other plots against opponents, as may be the case with Pawlowski I don't know.
I am inclined to believe that the system is so thoroughly corrupt that if the FBI caught one, he's probably just accepting bribes from the wrong people.
Excuse me!
Some guy with the decidedly unAmerican name of "Ramzi Haddad" creates a quid pro quo to get himself convicted of a crime and you call this evidence just because a couple of gumshoes at the FBI swallow this nonsense?
The Mayor is the guy who is being victimized here.
The Mayors feeling have been hurt and his faith in the system has been shaken.
A little compassion is in order here.
This nothing more than a witch hunt.
A Wounded Animal Is A Dangerous Animal
Mayor Pawlawski should be sainted for the way he had the courage to get Allentown moving forward toward real progress, particularly for the economic downtrodden.
Jennings is a hero.
What is the big deal with the Mayor patting down his good friend Mike Fleck in an elevator. Guys do that to guys all the time. Good friends do it as a show of affection. I am sure even Bernie has enjoyed or given a good pat down in an elevator on an occasion or two.
Don't see what the bog deal is over that. It is just a guy thing.
Who exactly witnessed this confrontation and historic pat down?
Mr. Jennings?
A stellar piece of investigative journalism by Matt Assad.
The Morning Call is to be commended for this in depth and well researched hard hitting story.
We've come to expect nothing less.
Well done, and carry on.
@12:29
I'm missing the part about Mr. OHare's "hatred" of Alan Jennings.
It seems to this observer that Mr.OHare has given Mr. Jennings the benefit of the doubt at virtually every opportunity, and has been generous in not criticizing Mr. Jennings defense of Mayor Pawlowski until this morning.
Did any of you apologists even read the evidence in the Haddad plea? That evidence is now a matter of public record. I suppose you also believe Jesus and the dinosaurs roamed the earth at the same time. It is just a matter of time until the Mayor gets whacked. Yes, Fleck acted despicable, but to say the Mayor was duped all along is ridiculous. Go take another swig of the Pawlowski Koolaid before your high wears off. Can"t anybody accept responsibility when they get caught? Guess not.
"I am not a crook!"
"I'm still here. I mean, I'm still the mayor.".
"Look, there's an ongoing investigation........"
"Look there's an ongoing investigation.............."
Ask yourself what does it take to make a City Work? In simplest terms it takes hard work and drive. Of what you may Ask? People ... People make the City work --- not buildings ... Buildings are only the body of the City --- a tool to be utilized by people ... The soul of the city is its people and the City I believe has compromised the good intentions of a proud and self-sufficient people ... Therefore it has abused its soul ..I give this advice to people dealing with all government officials and with government officials dealing with corporate leaders:
If you sit down and eat with a ruling prince. Keep your mind on the business at hand; If you come out of greed forget it and go home for you will become overwhelmed by government enticements... Enticements that may in the end get you in trouble.
love the satire here
3:37,
Jennings has single handedly tarnished his own reputation.
Opilo,Jennings and Assad crafted one fine piece of journalism on this story.
One can only hope the editor lets this dynamic team tackle other probing issues in the near future.
Well done.
Bernie
Is there a story behind Call's publisher leaving town? Bill White writes that the mayor actually patted down Fleck suspicious he might be wearing a wire. How did White hear this?
If Big Ed is so naive and as gullible as his supporters proclaim, he's not qualified to be mayor.
Edwin and Michael, plus Francis.
In the final analysis, it's a love story.
Alan Jennings's statement was shocking and demonstrated a real lack of moral clarity.
Scott Armstrong
Alan's reputation isn't tarnished.
He's been a self absorbed publicly hound and waterboy for the backroom boys for years.
His poker games were the perfect vehicle.
Even the naive are catching up with reality.
I realize the above comments supporting Pawlowski are probably satire...but I also realize that his (dwindling) support base reads this blog. And let me just say, Pawlowski is going to be indicted. Why would Haddad PLEAD GUILTY if he weren't GUILTY? Seriously...Chris Casey has it spot-on: read the evidence.
I was fascinated to read about Lisa's PINTEREST page having a betrayal bookmark. She really needs to consider staying off of social media. It is not helping her husband in the slightest. I feel awful for her and her children, but this mess is entirely the mayor's own doing. Anyone who has attempted to work with the city knows these allegations of corruption are true. Proving it is almost impossible, but it looks like the Feds are about to do just that.
The mayors wife is his closest confidant.
Don't kid yourself.
She is every bit as innocent as the mayor is.
Wow, Bernie. Some moron was up all night in the wee hours complaining about an alleged obsession of yours (gee, I wonder what loser from West Easton that is) and blathering about Ed being a saint.
Someone needs a new set of brain cells, and to let loose of their hatred of you. Losing their car and house to you should be an indication they desperately need mental help.
Ed is going down, it is just a matter of in what way. I think you are correct that it will be a RICO charge - the writing is on the wall for anyone with eyes.
If anyone needed more proof of what a useless piece of work Olga Negron is, she is the current chairman of CACLVs board of directors.
This guy Jennings has absolutely no one reigning him in.
I was under the impression Mrs. Pawloski's Wife was treasurer of The Senate Campaign.Seems like an unindicted co-conspirator to Me.
......or an indicted co conspirator.
Its ugly all the way around and there will be no winners or satisfaction. Tarnished reputations, lost legacies, missed opportunities, misled entities, and a trust that will take YEARS for our city to re establish. Corruption in any form is detrimental to us all.
Alfonso Todd
It's time to take a closer look at the third member of the inner circle.
The city's Managing Director is in this up to his toupee.
I liked the part about Jennings poker games...the local VFW gets fined for a Yahtzee game that helps offset expenses and this guy gets a pass running a game???
The amount of disgust in the satire and the obvious bullshit in the pro administration posters is VERY telling.
AND some of us derive great satisfaction witnessing the demise of this evil unapproachable cabal. Mr. Pulpudsky and all your ilk..... Bye Bye.
Haddad is a small fish. Those target letters are like "Who Wants To Make A Deal" cards. Haddad's testimony just adds to a pile.
Why is CACLV letting Jennings blabber about this topic and Pawlowski? I realize Jennings is Jennings but that board has to rein this guy in sooner or later. CACLV has zero role in this investigation and yet its executive director is out there routinely commenting on it.
Do you think all of the prayers being said by him & his loyal followers, will make a difference?
Shit for brains FedEd, is probably blaming God for the destructive path he has chosen.
Is there a God FedEd?
2 GREAT scrabble words mentioned above: cabal & ilk, no stupid people here on this outlet...
Bernie,
Has your faith been restored or did you allways have it in the adverCITY dished upon the publics plates in heaping amounts of shit slinged by team political parasites and top legal bandaids
that are all team blue juice guzzling sorrcerors sell the flopp of allentown pa as a Hole¿!($
redd
patent pending
Gary W. Gorman writes:
3:57am: racist much?
4:49am: I was wondering the same thing? Who witnessed the pat down? In the article, it seemed as though only Mike Fleck and Ed Pawlowski were in the elevator. Apparently, it seems, that leaks are coming from somewhere.
Alfonzo Todd @ 8:27am: Spot on accuracy.
Personally, I feel most sorry for Lisa Pawlowski, Alison Fleck and their children. Yes, I know I will be attacked for this comment, but like Caitlyn Jenner, I'm a big [boy], I can take it. The reason I write this is because some of you know, I spent years as a CPS caseworker and investigated thousands upon thousands of child abuse and neglect allegations and it has been my experience that when a caretaker violates a child, most times they have already violated the trust of their loved ones without their knowledge. I think Lisa, Alison and many, many others put a lot of trust and faith in their friends and loved ones (as we all do) and it is devastating to realize that it has been shattered.
Spare us the Lisa as victim narrative.
To know Ed and Lisa is to understand who wears the pants in that family, and it certainly isn't Public Official Number 3.
In a healthy community nobody would give a shit what Alan Jennings thoughts are on this sordid state of affairs.
I enjoyed Bill White's Sunday column on Hubris...explains it all for me.
If, despite all appearances, Chicago Eddy is innocent, he should soldier on and enjoy the glory of vindication. If he is guilty, he should be removed from office as he is undeserving of the dignity of resignation.
Jeffrey Anthony
Alan Jennings comes across as shameless, he must be the last guy Allentown who still believes Pawlowski has done nothing wrong. The whole story about the campaign victory party at Chickies and Petes and CACLV collecting the all they money then some of it going unaccounted for reflected poorly on Jennings. At this point, Pawlowski must be paying his legal bills, at some point he needs to make a guilty plea and end this ridiculous claim he did nothing wrong. The FBI doesn't just conduct investigations like this on a whim.
For those wondering how anyone knew about Pawlowski patting down Fleck in the elevator, it was reported that Fleck was wearing a wire at the time so the Feds knew what had happened.
That's why the FBI met Pawlowski at his car, the raid happened on City Hall and Fleck moved to Arkansas all in a short time span. The covert period had gone as far as it could.
The Banker
As Bill White pointed out, this whole conspiracy was hopeless from the start. Pawlowski was allegedly shaking people down for campaign contributions for two statewide elections, for which he had no chance of winning even if he had millions of dollars. He had to shake down contractors because the normal local sources of contributions were not supporting him.
It is the exact opposite of Nixon and Watergate - Nixon was so paranoid that he was going to lose re-election, that he was willing to do all kinds of illegal activities. He won in a landslide, even after some of those activities were made public.
So who is the source for the story?
Ed? Fleck?
Fran? The FBI???
The Bankers timeline is off.
The raid on City Hall reportedly involved 11 agents. It must have been scheduled in advance. Apparently, the Managing Director heard rumors because the rail was so close to going down that they couldn't keep it a total secret. The FBI raid on Reading was also on a Friday - it seems they like Fridays because there are fewer people to get in their way.
Jennings is the "source".
It's all second or third hand innuendo.
The entire article is a pathetic attempt at journalistic reconstruction, like bad TV.
The strategy continues to be to demonize Fleck and paint "poor Ed" as the betrayed friend set up by an evil operative and over aggression FBI....and trashes BOH.
It's weak but it's all Pawlowski and his cronies like Jennings have to offer.
Wherever he goes the Mayor proclaims his innocence and bashes the "heavy handed FBI".
Don't fool yourself, lots of people believe he is innocent and the victim of an evil Fleck and an
out of control FBI and an alcoholic blogger.
Pathetic, but true.
Alfonso Todd - "Corruption in any form is detrimental to us all."
Corruption is not an aberration, it's the way things work.
If Pawlowsky were totally corrupt he wouldn't be in any trouble right now.
Good people are marginalized or shunned because they get in the way.
Those good people who realize it takes a little corruption to get into the system to change it, find themselves being prosecuted harshly for their slight impropriety.
Those who are rotten to the core have protection by the fact they know all the corruption going on and can expose the " hidden hand".
So when I see a politician being attack for corruption, I figure he's only corrupt enough to get in trouble and not corrupt enough to get a library named after him.
A few observations:
The Morning Call articles have been shameful and disgraceful. It makes one wonder if they aren't trying to give Ed cover for fear he'll talk about the deal they brokered with Pawlowski for the Call's parking deck, or for the Call's inclusion in the NIZ.
Bill White's article is similar fluff. Glad to see he's finally writing SOMETHING about what's going on at City Hall, but hubris wasn't the problem. The problem was corruption and it started early. The Governor and Senate bids were what had to be done to keep the money train going. I believe there was an article early in Ed's time in office that detailed how the purchasing department would forward the contact info of city vendors to Ed's campaign (and vice-versa). Who was the person in the purchasing department who was the go-between? Now-Controller Mary Ellen Koval.
Jennings might also have reason to continue to keep Ed happy. Over the last decade, the City has directed millions in federal and state grants to CACLV, which paid Jennings' salary. Jennings was very involved in the politics of keeping Ed in office. That all might be something the Feds should look at as well.
Lisa Pawlowski is as involved as Ed is. They're both horrible people, that somehow were able to control City Government for a decade. I do feel sorry for their kids, but not the two of them.
While the Managing Directors sexual orientation should not be an issue in this situation there's no denying he is the third leg in the stool here.
"Poor Pawlowsk"i depended on Fran as much as he did on Fleck.
Fran always pegged Jennings as a bullshit artist so their relationship was diplomatic but less than friendly,
Fran may as well been deputy mayor, his role can't be overstated.
White gets it wrong.
King Edwin became a vindictive power hungry prick well before he aspired to higher office.
Lots of inside players can confirm that.
Just ask Don Cunningham for starters.
12:33....interesting point. Cunningham is not the only one.
Francis is smart and nobody's fool.
He's good at his job but that included breaking a lot of legs (metaphorically) and bullying an awful lot of good people.
He was Ed's in the house bad cop.
Ed used Fran for all the real dirty deals.
The department heads and middle managers are terrified of the character.
There's a bunch of people ready to testify against him when the time comes,
Ed didn't want people smarter than him clogging up the Executive Suite, people like Sarah Hailstone were just perfect.
Francis was the single exception to this rule.
Fran ran the ship.
That's why the brighter of the Boy Representatives got on so well with Fran while the dim bulb was content to follow the Mayor around and drool on his new suits.
Ed's hubris wasn't about higher office. The higher office stuff was a symptom. Ed's hubris was in the way he started trying to really control everything around the time of the DTE deal and after. Not just that he wanted to control it, but how. Time will tell if all of the connections and moves and strong arming and so on where illegal or *just* unethical. Either way, there is a lot to answer for.
Jennings' ongoing interpretations of all of this are the sad, sad denouement for his own career. The NIZ has to work for Allentown's poor for Jennings to have a legacy, which seems to be something he cares about.
I would not lump EO in with MA and AJ. MA and AJ have a vested interest in being on the same page. EO seems to do reporting. I'm guessing she has little control over MA appearing on the bylines and wedging the dispensations of grace from AJ into every story.
Jennings doesn't need a real legacy as long as he and the Morning Call can manufacture one.
It's all about spin, baby.
Here's a fact----if the FBI hand enough time they could jail Pawlowski for crimes committed back in the ABC days.
This isn't an Evangelical Christian who suddenly went off the reservation.
This is a first class cheat.
apart from Assad, who at the Morning Call has any reason to build-up a Jennings legacy? How does anywhere there possibly benefit from lionizing Alan?
Jennings has been getting free lunch at the Morning Call for years and years.
As long as he speaks for the poor and working families they never have to do real reporting and feel confident with a predictable comfortable party line.
They can count on him just like the rest of the suits and pols.
He's as righteous and reliable as the rising sun.
No muss.
No fuss.
Everybody's a winner.
His medical issues only add to the drama.
Everyone loves a drama,"up close and personal!"
Personal promotion is Alan's true genius.
He just loves the front page, "above the fold"
and on a Sunday.
He's happy to talk about this.
When was the last time any hard working underpaid staffer at CACLV given any credit that Alan could garner for himself?
Higher office or slush fund?
Gregory wants in in Alan Jennings poker game his mind is sharp, body is chiseled, soul is tranquil. Sparticus will make his living on the felt as he has been in custody, they say his cell has become the canteen and there are 4 foot lockers brimming with top ramen, honey buns, and tuna pouches.
Gregory never liked Fleck, he called this years ago after a run in with him at the Sands.
Why is the Jennings deal a surprise? He has always done whatever he wanted and the Board is a rubber stamp. In Northampton County he broke county law when he hired a Stoffa cabinet member who gave him contracts. Neither the county nor his "CACLV Board did a thing about it. The insiders told Jennings to give the guy a job so Jennings did it and even Bernie O'Hare defended the illegal action.
When people are allowed to do what they want regardless of the law in one area, why should they feel constrained in any other area?
Nixon thought he was betrayed too.
THAT TOWN HAS NO ADULT LEADERSHIP.
Shame on you, Malcolm Gross and your kind!!!
Exactly, couldn'the agree more!
Halistone, Executive Director of ANIZA,
And cabinet member in City, she'said going down w Ed
Ross is gutless.
Negron is a dummy.
Nothing new to report.
Miked Fleck is ABSOLUTELY a weasel and a crook----and so are Fed Ed and his "First Lady"
and campaign chair, Lisa.
Dumb fucks in Bethlehem wanted to put that tool Negron on City Council.
Give Fed Ed credit, he sent her packing from Allentown years ago.
Jennings has a real knack for board development.
Old Tom Gdsmith wouldn't give Jennings the time of day.
Bill Heydt came right out and said he was a phony for sale.
But of course the best line was the immortal Emma's zinger.
Who remembers that fabulous Alan Jennings reference?
Nothing more than a witchhunt instigated by evil Republicans who just don't care.
Only righteous Democrats, like Ed Pawlowski and Alan Jennings, for example, truly care about the economically disadvantaged.
That is why Allentown built the most expensive minor league hockey rink in world history, so homeless people will FINALLY have some shelter this winter.
Bill White could put everything into proper perspective so much better than the rest of you unwashed masses.
All the Haters should be ashamed of themselves.
The Morning Call has been a voice of reason all throughout this manufactured controversy.
I respect The Morning Call for showing restraint and not rushing to judgement.
Calling for Pawlowski to resign would have been and still is wholly inappropriate.
Shame on local government officials for enabling the actions of people like Jennings. They have let him get away with whatever he wanted for years. The guy breaks laws and they look the other way? What is that about?
Local Corporate types and the insider Republican money,men love him, since he is their token liberal that serves on all their boards. In return he gets immunity from criticism or oversight. The CACLV Board is a joke. They have never stopped his outrageous rants or actions.
i'm probably not as well informed as most of you, but i did actually sit down with jennings last week. he does not defend pawlowski, or assert that he is innocent. he simply does not hide from the fact that he and pawlowski were/are friends. likewise, he states that he and fleck were/are friends. i'm certain that the morning call went to him on the story, but they go to him on many stories. it's not jennings function or responsibility to ensure honesty in lehigh valley government. he runs an organization, and is very accomplished in providing for it.
"I'm certain the Morning Call went to him."
1) No shit? Matt Fucking Assaud????
2)So fucking what?????
......and we descend ever deeper into the absurd.
The Mayor is hurt and his faith in the system has been shaken.
LOL
I am not going to tolerate a lot of discussion about this bc it is off topic. What is at issue here is Jennings' hire of Ross Marcus. That would be a violation of a county ordinance designed to prevent cabinet officials from using their position to secure jobs for themselves with county vendors. When this hire came up, John Stoffa felt the ordinance should be waived and amended his agreement with Jennings to permit the hire. Marcus was not seeking to enrich himself but was doing what he has done his entire career. All of this was disclosed to Council, which took no action to stop it. There were some hard feelings between McClure and Jennings. What happened was completely transparent and was in the county's best interests. It has nothing to do with anything that is happening here.
I completely disagree with Jennings about the NIZ. I dislike his incessant cheerleading for Pawlowski. Right now, he is a little miffed at some of my criticism of him. But let me be clear that I have deep respect for Alan's personal integrity. People of good will can have different opinions about things like the NIZ. I would never tell him who he should and should not befriend. The Morning Call, most likely Assad, spoke to Jennings bc it wants to slant this story and paint Pawlowski as the victim of Evil Miked Fleck. In my view, they are both crooks.
If you want to revisit this OT issue about Jennings, sign your name or I will delete the comment.
Let's chat about the rip off off the citizens water rights in Allentown and this sanctimonious toads role in that.
I'm a little miffed about that disgusting political scam and what it will cost rate payers for three generations.
Frankly, I think all the posts are great. This is a good discussion about how people of influence and those in politics cut dirty deals with each other. At the end of the day, Pawlowski got caught. Makes you wonder how many do as much if not more and don't get caught.
Agree with the comments about Jennings. He uses his position to bully and berate all those who disagree with him. The fact that he breaks local laws is no surprise. However, that is for his Board to handle. Good luck with that. Local elected officials should be upholding the law and be honest, at the every least.
What we drinking as the Hole house filter sat on the podium in counsil chambers¿!($
Some of the same stuff Hitler put in the water to sterilize the jews before his propogandized oven roast¿!($ Henous war crimes RePete for the soul sale subdivisional tools employeed by the notorious hamilton street gang o thugs for there hanna handjob circlejerk sterilization¿!($
redd
patent pending
Bill White calls it 'hubris?" I call it corruption.
It is the exact opposite of Nixon and Watergate - Nixon was so paranoid that he was going to lose re-election, that he was willing to do all kinds of illegal activities. He won in a landslide, even after some of those activities were made public.
11:54 AM
Dear 11:54. Nixon was not paranoid about re-election. He was ahead in the pols and won in a landslide. Nixon was 'paranoid' about the dirty tricks used against him since 1948, particularly by the Kennedy's and Johnson. It was the Democrats acolytes in the press and the DC liberal establishment that brought Nixon down. Having said that, Nixon was as guilty of those transgressions as the Kennedys and Johnson were.
^ This guy could do a revisionist history column with Matt Assaud.
If only Fleck was born.
Nixon could have blamed it on him.
What does Richard Nixon have to do with this. Would appear it is an OT comment. Why is it still here? Inoffensive?
@9:34 PM
The Democrats hated Nixon after he took down their golden boy, Alger Hiss. After they took down Nixon in 74, they thought that it was because of that Kenn Starr wanted to take down Bill Clinton. Today they still think it was because of Watergate Obama and Hillary Clinton are having so many issues.
It's never the person's own fault to the Democrats. They always find a way to blame someone else.
I'm sure Big Ed is looking for a Republican to blame his problems on as well.
Gary W Gorman writes:
@ 10:47am: You couldn't be more wrong. I'm pretty sure that Ed Pawlowski is looking right at Mike Fleck (a Democrat) to place the blame on for his problems.
9:34 Gee not like Dick Cheney. You remember, the war criminal responsible in large part for the invasion of Iraq. The one who was paid 20 million from Halliburton while lobbying in favor of lifting sanctions against Iran. You know, the one who shoulders the blame for 4000 dead American soldiers who now blames Obama for everything?
Yes, its never the person's own fault to the Republicans. THey always find a way to blame someone else.
All those who have come out of Allentown politics have this holier than thou feeling. Jennings the well known pimp of the poor is no exception.
Alan is the voice of the poor.
Without him they have no voice.
The man is a saint.
St. Alan, the voice of the poor.
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