In a 27-page opinion issued late Friday, a three-judge panel of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals denied an appeal by former Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski from his 2018 corruption conviction. Pouring salt into the wound, the second highest court in this country also upheld the 15-year sentence imposed. This is basically the end of the road for him. He can seek a review by the US Supreme Court, but those are very rarely granted.
Here's what the Court concluded:
The Government’s case against Pawlowski was strong. Its evidence showed a man eager to influence and be influenced if it would help him fund his political campaigns. While we acknowledge the practical realities of public office, the jury was entitled to find that Pawlowski’s conduct—that is, his promises and efforts to perform specific official favors in exchange for donations—crossed into the criminal. We agree that his sentence was quite substantial. But seeing no error, we affirm.
You can read the Opinion yourself below:
Third Circuit Denies Fed Ed... by BernieOHare
In addition to shooting down Pawlowski's appeal, the Court also denied a companion appeal by Scott Allinson, an attorney who was willing to hand out campaign cash in exchange for legal work from the City. You can read the Allinson Opinion here.
Allinson will now have to return to federal prison to serve out his sentence.
11 comments:
Feel bad for them both. Allinson was rebuilding his life after his release. Can't imagine having to go back...
Ed's 15 year sentence was outrageous, and way out of proportion compared to what similar politicians received
Count me in as one of those happy with the decision!
This is excellent news. Regardless of one's penitence, society demands justice in order to maintain faith in its institutions. One should not commit crime without expecting to do time. History is full of these examples and these two men could have and should have known better.
I'm trying not to feel bad for Fed Ed because on Day 1 he could have admitted guilt, published an apology to City residents and resigned as Mayor. He would surely be free by now and able to enjoy time with his family and have started up a new career through his personal/political contacts.
I don't feel bad at all. To quote an old commercial, "Do the crime, do the time."
Neither one showed any remorse for their actions. Good riddance to the both of them.
Nobody but me finds it odd that Mike Fleck didn't testify, but the Prosecutor put Jennie McKenna on the stand to testify in order to keep her sister out of prison.
Apparently, it's not about doing the right thing. It's protecting your immediate family at all cost, that matters.
This all while some of the main perpetrators of the very same crimes are still conducting the same business designs with in Allentowns zone.
There are so many oddities about the entire Allentwon thing. Who wasn't charged, who wasn't made to testify, who wasn't said to be part of it and so on.
How many local politicians can you makes this statement about. Just insert name____
Its evidence showed a man/woman eager to influence and be influenced if it would help him fund his political campaigns. While we acknowledge the practical realities of public office, the jury was entitled to find that _________ conduct—that is, his promises and efforts to perform specific official favors in exchange for donations—crossed into the criminal.
Meanwhile, it is ok for trump to pressure a secretary of state for votes. That makes no sense.
He sold public favors and was nasty as cat shit while doing it. He wasn't given enough time and should be luck he'll not serve anything close to the measly 15 years he got. Complaining about others' leniency is valid. They all should have gotten much harsher sentences, with a hard labor aspect included. Politicians violating public trust should receive particularly harsh penalties for what they've done to undermine trust in the foundations of our systems.
Sincerely,
A law abiding taxpayer
To quote Hal Holbrookes deep throat character in All The Presidents Men, " follow the money." It is amazing how the motives of those seeking to become filthy rich, rather than merely well off, was not investigated with the same zealous ardor as Pawlowski and a few other low hanging fruit. The realities are Fleck's wire was compromised by him telling some of the same actors that he was wired. This caused the NIZ crew to shut up. If you look at the donations you will see that a loud mouth clown like Allinson did not benefit alone, Nor, nearly as much as the portfolio of the developers. Pawlowski controlled 3 of the NIZ appointments, donating to him was in that entity's interest from day one. I don't see you delve into this area at all... I wonder why not? Sending a politician to jail for 15 years for being a hub in a far reaching conspiratorial crime is excessive. It shouldn't be met with glee by your readers.
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