On Friday, former Philadelphia Sheriff John Green was
charged with bribery for virtually abdicating control over Sheriff Sales to a business associate who returned the favor with campaign donations, gifts and interest-free loans.He's just the latest high-profile Democrat to be snared by federal prosecutors. Others caught in a web of political corruption include former
State Treasurer Rob McCord (extortion),
US Congressman Chaka Fattah (racketeering), former Harrisburg Mayor
Stephen Reed (public corruption), Reading City Council President
Francisco Acosta (bribery) and Allentown Assistant City Solicitor
Dale Wiles (bid-rigging). Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski and Reading Mayor are obvious targets. Pawlowski, in particular, has been identified using burner phones and sweeping his office for electronic bugs.
As if this was not bad enough, we have an Attorney General with a suspended law license who is facing perjury charges.
What do these folks have in common?
All of them - every single one - is a Democrat.
Not good.
This little coincidence has surely been noticed by Republicans, and they are certain to make it a campaign issue in the races next year.
Against this backdrop,
Governor Tom Wolf 's choice for state Democratic chair is himself a man who himself is in the federal spotlight - Marcel Groen. It's what I'd expect from a Governor who was willing to shackle Pennsylvania's poorest citizens with a regressive sales tax hike. It's what I'd expect from a Governor whose intransigence during budget talks has become so ridiculous that several schools may have to shut down.
Pennsylvania is more than just a pubic spectacle and easy target of ridicule..it is a non-functioning state that has failed on every level. Somebody has to do something, and that needs to be us-the voting public.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the teabaggers have taken over thins blog. Is this another topic Ron Angle ordered you to post?
ReplyDeleteAny update on Madame X???
ReplyDeleteThe states revenues are up over the last few years. These politicians must learn to make due with what they have. This Governor wants to raise taxes to pay off his supporters. He should concentrate on eliminating waste and unneeded programs.
ReplyDeleteand the feds haven't even started in Bethlehem......yet
ReplyDeleteCorruption and complacency is found in BOTH parties. Our most effective tool to reverse or, at least, slow down this tendency is to replace incumbents. No harm in trying out someone else. This applies here and in Washington. We MUST be willing to disregard party affiliation when evaluating our options.
ReplyDeleteFred Windish
The hasn't been a republican on council or the mayor's office in Bethlehem for 25 years. Two reasons: 1) Ignorant lever or button pushing voters, 2) corrupt inbreeding dem teachers. Voter apathy and incumbency breed corruption and arrogance.
ReplyDelete"and the feds haven't even started in Bethlehem......yet"
ReplyDeleteI've asked before that you state what federal crimes have been committed but you can't even state who you are.
"Any update on Madame X???"
ReplyDeleteI would prefer that you email me instead of posting anonymous comments here that are off topic. Last I heard, she was placed on admin leave.
"Sounds like the teabaggers have taken over thins blog. Is this another topic Ron Angle ordered you to post?"
ReplyDeleteI happen to be a Democrat, and one who would like to see the party get rid of the corruption in its midst.
Might want to check your last sentence for errors...? Unless you meant it. Lol
ReplyDeleteBernie I'd love to bash Democrats only on this, but unfortunately corruption knows both political parties. I've been watching the fun happening in NY where two of the top three politicians in the state (one R and one D) were just convicted. That's just one example.
ReplyDeleteOne of the many kickers to me is that these criminals, after they have been convicted, are allowed to keep their pensions! It's beyond ridiculous.... We have created a separate class of citizen, Nomenklatura is alive and well right here.
The Banker
PA is one of the most corrupt states in the union
ReplyDeleteGary Strathearn has been official named in the FBI case.
ReplyDeleteFormer Allentown cabinet official charged in FBI case
Strathearn has been involved with many City contracts. The 50-year water/sewer lease to the LCA was his biggest deal.
“I am grateful to Mayor Pawlowski for the confidence he placed in me to get that job done,” said Strathearn. “We put a fantastic team together and crafted a great deal for the city as was evidenced by awards from The Bond Buyer and others.”
Marcel Groen, Ed Rendell and Strathearn worked on the Delta Thermo Energy Incinerator deal. The FBI is now officially looking at the DTE deal.
Allentown waste-to-energy contract reviewed, but still waiting for approval
From the Express-Times:
Delta Thermo wants council to agree to the contract so it can move forward with securing financing for the $45 million project, including a $6 million contingency and grant money, said Marcel Groen, Delta Thermo’s attorney from Fox Rothschild LLP.
“We’re a customer in this relationship,” said Gary Strathearn, the city finance director.
The corruption in Allentown is just beginning to unfold.
ReplyDeleteHold on to your hats!
@9:19
ReplyDeleteWell put, Banker.
-Jeffrey Anthony
If you're a Democrat, then you're a DINO, a democrat in name only!
ReplyDeleteCan someone explain to Me the incentives for Mr.Wiles and Mr.Strathearn to rig these competitive bids.
ReplyDeleteThe incentive was to keep their boss happy and keep their at-will jobs. I will write about this tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to that.I will now understand these R.I.C.O. violations that are coming
ReplyDelete