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Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Disappointed Bidder Claims in Lawsuit that NorCo Council Member Egged Him On

Northampton County is currently undergoing a long overdue pay study. In March, County Council voted 8-0 to award $64,000 contract to Bolton Partners, which specializes in compensation consulting, for nonunion positions. A disappointed bidder, Morganfruh Enterprises, has filed suit against county, seeking $128,348.00. The complaint, filed pro se by Mark Morganfruh, asserts that an unnamed County Council member egged him on. He adds that Council Solicitor Chris Spadoni encouraged him to sue.  

Generally speaking, courts are leery of lawsuits filed by disappointed bidders. NorCo Assistant Solicitor Rich Santee has filed "preliminary objections," which basically is a request to have the case tossed.

Although County Council and Executive Lamont McClure are at loggerheads on many issues, I would hope that no Council member or Spadoni would actually pour gasoline on this fire with disappointed bidders looking for an excuse to sue. This only costs the county money and diverts county lawyers from more productive work. 

Sometimes people hear what they want to hear. I think that's what happened here. In 2019, Morgenfruh lost a federal lawsuit claiming employment discrimination. 

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5 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 16, 2023 at 12:18 AM

    What does "egged him on by a council member" mean in this context, and how might it be cause for a lawsuit? Why would a bidder have damages?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bernie O'HareMay 16, 2023 at 8:12 AM

    It means exactly what I said. An unnamed Council member not only encouraged this disappointed better, but put him in touch with the Council solicitor. That's according to the complaint, but may not be the truth. People often remember things the way they want to remember them and misinterpret what others tell them. I have a hard time believing that a Council member or its lawyer would assist this guy even though there's no love lost between Council and Exec. This is why Council members, wo are part time to begin with, should play a very limited role in the bid process. Oversight, absolutely. But frequent interaction with bidders leads to lawsuits.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 16, 2023 at 3:18 PM

    His name is the new kid from up north

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMay 16, 2023 at 7:24 PM

    Hit piece leaked by McClure camp. I do not believe council is at loggerheads with McClure. The problem appears to be McClure can't work well with others. He demands obedience and condemns any who have another opinion. Why do you think he is buying his own legislative officials.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Bernie O'HareMay 16, 2023 at 9:07 PM

    I discovered that story by looking at the three lawsuits filed against NorCo since the beginning of January. It was not leaked but I did speak to the county about the suit.

    ReplyDelete

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