Last month, I told you that former NorCo Exec John Brown has started a new biz he calls John Brown Leadership Solutions LLC. His corporate address is 515 West Hamilton Street, Suite 502, Allentown, PA 18101. This also happens to be the address of Norris, McLaughlin and Marcus. That law firm has billed the County over $810,000 for its services on the General Purpose Authority (GPA) in 2016 and 2017. Brown had a special arrangement with Solicitor John Lushis for "special legal services" that basically made Lushis a stealth county lawyer. It was a conflict of interest for Lushis, and a violation of the procurement Code for Brown. I had joked at the time that Brown and Lushis might team up to market P3 projects throughout the state. It turns out that this is no joke. That's exactly what they've been doing.
Bruce Haines, a principal at Historic Hotel Bethlehem, recently received a coveted CRIZ designation for an expansion that includes a convention center. Earlier this year, he was approached by Brown. The former Exec suggested he might be able to help in some unspecified way. Haines heard nothing beyond that one conversation, but others have.
Brown, along with Lushis, recently met with a financier to try to arrange financing for the expansion. Get this. They suggest it be done as a P3 project, using the GPA.
As I've said before, the GPA needs to dump its Solicitor. I am also offended that Brown is attempting to benefit personally from things he set in motion as Executive.
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 23, 2018
18 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
If these people had any morals or scruples they would all resign.
ReplyDeleteAt some point in the future when all current members have been replaced this authority needs to abolish itself. The county can go back to doing things they way they did before this abomination was created.
ReplyDeleteMorals and scruples, what a laugh! NM&M support for Ed Pawlowski at his trial was sickening. It showed their contempt for the truth and their underhanded resolve to appropriate public projects at any cost. Pay to play is a main theme in their lexicon and actions and the general public should be aware of them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a disgrace! Brown and NM&M should all be in jail!
ReplyDeleteMaybe it should be the Genco Purpose Authority?
ReplyDeleteNo different than a soft landing with the state committee, the bridge commission, or the LCB. The political class takes care of its own. They have to, as most are entirely unsuited for honest work.
ReplyDeleteThe Pawlowski affair was prelude.
ReplyDeleteWhy were all these payments missed in audits by the Controller
ReplyDeleteGOP partisan @9:47, As I have mentioned several times, the GPA's finances are audited separately
ReplyDeleteHas anyone asked Ferraro why she voted to authorize these payments? She has some 'splainin' to do. Your digging on this is appreciated.
ReplyDeleteTruce Bernie,been two years my Irish Brother !. Stay safe
ReplyDeleteFire the bastards!
ReplyDeleteA partisan is someone who supports one part or party. Sometimes the support takes the form of military action, as when guerrilla fighters take on government forces. But partisan is actually most often used as an adjective, usually referring to support of a political party. so if you're accused of being too partisan, or of practicing partisan politics, it means you're mainly interested in boosting your own party and attacking the other one.
ReplyDeleteSorry you feel this way. However I am a Demo. Simple question you turn into what you assume is an attack.
Partisan @ 6:25, I feel free to reach whatever conclusion I wish when responding to someone who hints at incompetence by another but does not sign his or her name. The only reason for this is attack Barron, even though I have altlready said at least three timed that this is done by an outside auditor. Your claim to be a dem may actually mean that you are a liar in addition to a coward. And that’s. The conclusion I will reach
ReplyDeleteAll this bull shit is because OHare is envious of lawyers making money and his stupid ass is a convicted criminal that ended his career because he has severe mental issues. Simple. Payment was agreed upon and payments were made. Nothing to see here people, except poor little O’Hare has a touch of the green eyed monster. Pathetic!
ReplyDeleteYou’ve already been to judged liable for defamation once. Now you are anonymously calling me a “convicted criminal.” When did that happen, Tricia? If you want to stay in the house that you claim is really in your name, you better stop defaming people and get some help.
ReplyDeleteNo shame.
ReplyDeleteHopefully they will come to the county council meeting and maybe we can get some answers as to why all the money and legal bills. Also the entire patent thing is crazy. When did this group decide to become its own independent company. If county council is their only source of money can't county council just pay the contractor directly and tell the GPA top pound sand!
ReplyDeleteWhat they are doing in Northampton County will end up being a negative advertisement for Brown and company.