During the trial, defense attorneys paraded several NMM attorneys before the jury to piously pronounce that the money they gave to Fed Ed had nothing to do with "pay to play." They just thought he was great. The Mayor's use of Attorney Richard Somach's summer home in Key West has nothing to do with a Parking Authority solicitorship.
Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Morgan told the jury flat out that NMM managing partner Matt Sorrentino lied in his testimony. It doesn't sound like she concluded that NMM has "not engaged in any illegal, improper or unethical conduct."
In an email addressed to his "old friends," Allinson tipped everyone off, back in July, that his indictment was imminent. He was a self proclaimed rainmaker whose firm profile once claimed that he helps businesses "achieve their day-to-day, as well as long-term, business objectives." He has represented the Northampton County Gaming Revenue and Economic Redevelopment Authority, the Northampton County General Purpose Authority, the Northampton County Higher Education Authority, Lehigh’s Economic Advancement Project, Northampton County New Jobs Corporation, Bethlehem Economic Development Corporation, Lehigh Valley Regional Loan Pool, and Lehigh County Industrial Development Authority, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation and Northampton County Industrial Development Authority. From those vantage points, he can really help businesses meet their goals. Whether it is the Chrin TIF or some other major project, Allinson was nearly always involved.
Closely connected to political and business consultant Mike(d) Fleck, Allinson helped raise money for various Fed Ed campaigns. Thanks to Fleck, he also represented Ruckus Brewing in their Neuweiler deal.
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| Scott Allinson |
He also reportedly throws one helluva' party. Ask the people at Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.He's an "economic development lawyer" who managed to get himself installed as the solicitor to numerous public entities that dole out public money.
His email to "old friends" included members at Integrity Personnel, who were awarded a no-bid $24,000 contract by former Exec John Brown for a "strategic assessment" of the NorCo workforce.
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| Matt Sorrentino |
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| Richard Somach |
Somehow, he represents banks foreclosing on properties while simultaneously representing the County at Sheriff Sales.
We now know that Fed Ed and his wife used Somach's Florida Keys second home for a vacation. And Fed Ed was going to consider him as Parking Authority Solicitor.
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| Ollie Foucek |
I'd be remiss if I neglected to mention Oldrich "Ollie" Foucek III, City Planning Commission member and chair, ANIZDA Board member, LV Chamber of Commerce Solicitor and major Fed Ed contributor. He was among those to approve plans for a wholesaler along the Allentown NIZ waterfront despite the fact that there were no ... plans. He is a walking, talking conflict of interest. Being on the Planning Commission and NIZ Board is bad enough, but to be part of a firm that is financially benefiting from both is obscene.
Back in July, I told you that given Allinson's remarks and his law firm's decision to stand behind him, it would be irresponsible for any public entity to continue association with that law firm.
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| John Lushis |
We now know, that in addition to permitting a blatant Sunshine Act violation, NMM lawyer John Lushis actually billed NorCo over $3,000 to copyright six agreements in the firm's name. NMM made over $813,000 for two years on the County's General Purpose Authority (GPA).
This firm is up to its eyeballs in overbilling, conflicts of interest and pay-to-play.
Is it any wonder that the firm makes this boast?
Our attorneys act as Solicitors, Assistant Solicitors, and Special Counsel for the following municipalities and municipal entities:As a matter of good government, it is time for these relationships to end. If municipal officials refuse, it is time to elect candidates who will represent the people and not a lawfirm contributor. I know some excellent attorneys at this firm, but not enough of them.
- Borough of Catasauqua Civil Service Division
- Borough of Fountain Hill
- Borough of Hellertown
- Borough of Hellertown Civil Service Commission
- Borough of Macungie
- Borough of Palmerton
- City of Allentown
- Easton Parking Authority
- Lehigh County
- Lower Macungie Township
- Northampton County
- Northampton County Gaming and Economic Development Authority
- Penn Forest Zoning Hearing Board
- Weisenberg Township
- Whitehall Township Building Code Board of Appeals
- Whitehall Township Tax and Appeals Board
They have provided strategic counsel to the Cities of Bethlehem and Easton, and to Bethlehem’s Economic Development Corporation and Easton’s Greater Economic Development Partnership.Our attorneys both present and attend seminars on municipal law issues. They are members of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Solicitors and the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs.
26 comments:
Bernie,
I tried googling Lehigh Valley Regional Loan Pool and found nothing. What does that group do?
You do realize this post is about NMM and not the Lehigh Valley Regional Loan Pool. Also, you did not google very hard.
http://lehighvalley.org/lehigh-valley-regional-loan-pool-to-expand/
As the Chair of the Hellertown Civil Service Commission, I can assure the citizens of our Borough, that our current Solicitor is David Backenstoe, Esq.,, and have not retained the services of NMM.
Respectfully, William Hillanbrand
That's good to know, Bill. These guys should be more honest in their boasts.
Easton Parking Authority? Do any MNN guys have a hideaway in any East Coast "Little Italy(s)" for our pal Sal to hang out on a long legal holiday weekend?
Well word is McClure gave a glowing speech promising a lot of new county spending. Will he have the courage to disassociate the county form this firm. If he doesn't will you even bother to write about it?
always knew bedco was corrupt especially with it's current leadership
I had a very discouraging incident with Lehigh County where Tom Muller and Matt Sorrentino were the Lying Wallendas in a situation involving Muller destroying a public document in response to my Right to Know filing and Sorrentino smoke-screening it with all his might.
Maybe having gotten rid of a few crooks in and around local government (pipe down, deniers) will make things better, maybe it won't, but just seeing them forced out or at, in the case of Sorrentino, at least exposed feels like a very good medicine for a very sick local government.
Ya just gotta hate when your up to your "brief's" wondering if the FBI will come drain the swamp.....
Well Legal Swampers.. I think the swamp is about to be drained...
Is it rue another grand jury is working on exactly what's listed above? These man have alot to worry about and it isn't who slept in my Florida Keys bed... It is way much deeper then that-
Great article and analysis. NMM is a corrupt organization with many corrupt attorneys in their midst. However, after scanning their names, there are numerous good honest attorneys also.
It is about time some of these alleged municipal leaders realize the unscrupulous actors within this organization and cut their ties with it. But some of these alleged elected leaders are morons who have no clue when they're getting fleeced. This is a flaw that NMM capitalizes on!
If you followed the Pawlowski saga throughout its storybook past, you could conclude that Allinson, Pawlowski and NMM were all in lockstep together in "pay to play". If I were a young bright attorney, I would disassociate myself with this firm as soon as I could. However, tainted funds supporting their large salaries is hard to overlook.
"Well word is McClure gave a glowing speech promising a lot of new county spending. Will he have the courage to disassociate the county form this firm. If he doesn't will you even bother to write about it?"
Hey asshole, word is that the county does not use NMM in any way. That is the GPA, and McClure is trying his best to install new board members to get rid of a law firm that has soaked the county. In contrast, former Exec Brown allowed and encouraged this abuse to do end runs around council.
"Is it rue another grand jury is working on exactly what's listed above? "
I have no knowledge from anyone about this. I do know that AUSA Michelle Morgan called Matt Sorrentino a liar. I know they thought nothing of throwing Allinson under the bus. I know he thought nothing of throwing them under the bus. I don't think they endeared themselves to the US Attorney's office. I have long been disgusted by the behavior of that firm. Despite the poor example that I set along with a common perception, most attorneys I know are scrupulously honest. I do think it is time for this firm to do some soul searching.
The Borough of Macungie's solicitor is not from this firm, nor is its civil service commission solicitor. Can't say for sure about the water authority or zoning appeals board.
Thanks Gary, It appears that this law firm is playing fast and loose with the facts.
"always knew bedco was corrupt especially with it's current leadership"
Anonymous coward, BEDCO severed its relationship with NMM as soon as Allinson was indicted.
Sorrentino is guilty. He should be disbarred and go back to his probation officer days. Other NMM attorneys and Somach are just a slimy. The PA BAR Association should take action....but that will never happen. Disciplinary Board.
“Matt Sorrentino-is- - - a liar.”
Michelle Morgan
Is that clear enough?
These lying cheating wealthy white professionals are even worse than the ethnic dopes and bone heads who supported the gangster no neck jeek and his cronies who ran Allentown.
None of them have an excuse that holds up in the light of day.
Right out of the movie "THE FIRM". Time for feds to look into all of them
Ed and Lisa so loved going to Somack’s place in Key West. There they could rub elbows in relative in annominity with the simple, little folks, and the humble Christian working joes and ehhnic types they lived to serve.
It was more like a mission trip than a vacation.
God bless them, one and all.
@11:49
It was the lovely couples ministry.
Why Key West?
I was a place for Christians to gather, enjoy the surf and sun and praise the Lord,
In Jesus name,
AMEN.
Similar situation in the City of Bethlehem. Fifteen government entities listed here:
http://broughal-devito.com/clients/
If you add in the CRIZ board (Bethlehem's smaller version of Allentown's NIZ state tax subsidized redevelopment incentive), whose Chairman is also the solicitor for the Bethlehem Parking Authority, the Bethlehem equivalent of Norris, McLaughlin and Marcus also has sixteen government-entity clients.
The Bethlehem Parking Authority was the main objector (and one of the largest holders of undeveloped CRIZ acreage) to the expansion plans for the Hotel Bethlehem, whose owners answered Mayor Donchez's November 2016 call for more CRIZ projects (only one has been completed in the four year life of the CRIZ program).
Banana Republic.
I agree with you Jeffrey. Muller was just a toady handpicked to succeed Cunningham. The Don put them in the drivers seat in Lehigh County. Muller just followed orders as he was told to do. Now Muller is in Allentown as Pawlowski's right hand man. He follows the money and the pensions, like a good mercenary. Ask those that had to deal with him. His arrogance is second only to Pawllowski.
3:28, completely different. It is a much smaller firm and there is no evidence at all that anything improper occurs. The fact that a law firm or engineering firm makes political donations does not mean the firm is corrupt. I would agree on limits.
Organized crime.
WHERE’S RICO WHEN U NEED IT?
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