Seven people have pleaded guilty to political corruption in a federal investigation swirling around Public Official No. 3, who can only be Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski. They include his former campaign manager (right arm), Managing Director (left arm), Finance Director (right leg), City Controller (left leg), an Assistant City Solicitor (tongue) and two campaign contributors. Sentencing is supposed to take place, starting today, and continue next month.
I learned today that federal prosecutors are seeking yet another delay, perhaps until September. This means that they do intend to prosecute Fed Ed, and are counting on the seven people who've already entered pleas to continue their cooperation. But this is really starting to get unfair.
From what I'm told, the FBI has wrapped up its investigation, and is waiting on the US Attorney to move.
Though the US Attorney only has to worry about a five year statute of limitations (which can be increased if racketeering charge are brought), these constant delays are very unfair to the seven people who have already pleaded guilty and presumably would like to get on with their lives. It is unfair to Allentown City employees, whose morale is in the tank. It is unfair to Allentown firefighters, who are dealing daily with vehicle breakdowns. It is unfair to Fed Ed, the target of this investigation, to walk around with the sword of Damocles constantly over his head. Most of all, it is unfair to the businesses of Allentown, whose growth has been stunted by the smoke of political corruption.
Judge Juan R. Sánchez, sitting in Philadelphia, probably has no idea how this has impacted Allentown. Don't expect federal prosecutors to tell him. Defense counsel, whose clients have already pleaded guilty, have no bargaining power. The public has no standing. .
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Wednesday, May 31, 2017
18 comments:
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Bernie do you think the 7 people who pled will go to jail? Or will they be spared because they cooperated?
ReplyDeleteI think Koval and Haddad will avoid jail time. The rest better pack their rubber underwear.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think koval will escape jail time? She is a public official...the judge has to make an example out of her to deter other public officials
ReplyDeleteBecause the case against her is pretty weak. Under the ruling in McDonnell, I don't think she could be convicted.
ReplyDeleteI think fleck will escape because he wore a wire . And he is the star witness
ReplyDeleteJudge Gonzalez already told him he's going to throw the book at him because he had told Pawlowski he was wearing the wire.
DeleteAnd Ed will walk for insufficient evidence.
ReplyDeleteYawn, the blog that roars is till pronouncing a guilty verdict. So far the Mayor has not been charged with a single thing. This is a fascinating tale of obsession by a blogger.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of this before - delaying sentencing like this. Thanks for bringing this to our attention despite the ramblings of the idiot @2:13AM who is Tricia cRaZY I won't win this year either Mezzacrappa. Have some yummy vegan cocoa and a slab of bacon, toots. You'll feel better.
ReplyDeleteanon 2:34 is again showing hot, young blond envy. It is tough for a goblin. Deez nuts will just have to wish there was a chance.
ReplyDelete4:06
ReplyDeleteDees posted yesterday that cRAZy threw in the towel. Stop calling yourself hot and young. You are the only one who believes that.
I had a friend who pled early in a white collar case wait six years for sentencing . Totally unfair . He served 18 mo.
ReplyDeleteSeven co-conspirators, hours of taped conversations and numerous other officials testifying, even the Teflon Don couldn't shake that!
ReplyDeleteSo was there a sentencing or a delay today?
ReplyDeleteAccording to The Morning Call the sentencings were continued. 8:35 p.m.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile the mayor was cutting a ribbon in the Great NIZ with JB Reilly this afternoon
ReplyDeleteNot to worry. His obvious stubbornness and clear intent just to "sit it out" and do nothing except collect his paycheck as long as possible, making the city suffer, has worn too thin to give him any kind of chance to win the general. Word is that an independent candidate will emerge to unite both Democrats and Republicans and beat both King Edwin I and Nat Hyman in the fall. #allentownunited
ReplyDeleteRT u think the mayor is going to get indicted?
ReplyDelete