NorCo Suspends 1st Ass't Public Defender

Last week, I told you that Northampton County's First Assistant Public Defender Anthony Martino is under an ethical cloud, involving the possible misuse of money in private practice.

Anonymous trolls, of course, had to dispute what I posted. "This would be BIG NEWS to most papers, WHY haven't they said it or do they wait for the truth?"

In other words, don't believe it unless you see it in a newspaper. Well, Martino has since been since been suspended by Executive John Stoffa, without pay. He's under criminal investigation by the DA. And, oh yeah, there's now an article in The Morning Call.

By the by, in recent years, Martino has been at the wrong end of numerous tax claims filed by the state and IRS.

Pa Dep't of Revenue:
2007-J-2724, filed 4/11/07 for $10,020.29
2008-J-5257, filed 5/30/08 for $3,866.64
2010-J-14166, filed 12/17/10, for $4,656.94
2011-J-1762, filed 2/24/11, for $6,026.65

IRS:
2004-FT-6381, filed 8/23/04, for $189,065.70
2009-FT-6621, filed 6/29/09, for $50,763.87
2009-FT-8437, filed 8/7/09, for $39,064.92
2009-FT-9946, filed 9/11/09, for $107,187.60
2010-FT-2403, filed 3/12/10, for $21,427.33
2011-FT-8982, filed 9/16/11, for $45,476.98
2012-FT-2119, filed 3/2/12, for $44,185.73
2008-FT-12442, filed 11/24/08, for $26,782.48

It gives me no pleasure to write this story. I know and like Anthony, and consider him an excellent attorney. I feel this must be reported because of his position.

NorCo First Ass't Public Defender Under Ethical Cloud

A prominent Slate Belt Attorney, who has served as Solicitor to Northampton County Council and is currently its First Assistant Public Defender, may himself need a lawyer. Bangor Attorney Anthony J. Martino is no longer associated with the Martino and Karasek law firm. That might be the least of his concerns.

Reliable sources tell me that Martino may have been taking money from the law firm's till, without letting his partners know. He also has been accused of "borrowing" some of his clients' money, without their permission. He has reportedly denied these accusations.

Martino was first admitted to practice in 1986, and has no record of any disciplinary action. Although the Disciplinary Board still lists his office at the Martino, Karasek and Martino law firm, a drive by the office reveals that his name has been removed.

Ann McHale's "Pay to Play" Solicitor Rejected by 5-4 Vote

Bethlehem attorney Christian Perrucci has spent the past few months lobbying individual council members for a $49,000 part-time job as Northampton County Council solicitor.

It's the least they could do.

Over the past two years, this young lawyer has already contributed a whopping $12,775 to Democrats seeking state offices. This includes $4,000 for former state house Democratic whip Mike Veon, currently under indictment for Bonusgate, and another $1,000 for current state house Democratic whip and payjacker Bill DeWeese.

Not surprisingly, Perrucci was the first choice of Northampton County machine Democrats when county council reorganized in January. But they only had four votes, so their attempt to inflict this campaign philanthropist upon unsuspecting taxpayers failed.

Now that Democrats have a five-four majority, they tried to bring this fox into the Northampton County henhouse for a second time last night. Lame duck council member Diane Neiper asked council members to appoint Perrucci, and Council Prez Ann McHale gravely told everyone she supports Perrucci, too. I'm sure McHale is expecting him to open his check book and finance her county exec campaign.

But not all Democrats are machine Democrats. Bangor Mayor Joe Capozzolo (you can read about him here), appointed to fill Wayne Grube's vacant seat, had other ideas. He likes county council's current solicitor, Anthony Martino.

McHale tried her best to steer the appointment to Perrucci and away from the slate belt. She even cut Ron Angle off as his made a pitch for this fellow slate belt resident. Previously, Attonry Martino was prematurely fired by council member Lamont McClure. Classless and clueless, he did it by letter over the holidays.

Merry Christmas! You're fired.

That stunt earned McClure a coveted Express Times turkey.

As Angle noted that "we've humiliated Mr. Martino enough," the Queen of Hearts cut him off in mid sentence.

"Mr. Flisser, will you please call the roll."

When the dust had settled, all four Republicans had sided with Capozzolo and Martino was selected by a five-four vote. Martino arrived a few minutes later and took his seat on the dais, but McHale offered no congratulations. Ron Angle attempted to do so, but she cut him off again.

"Please, Ron."

McHale failed to deliver the bacon for Pay to Play Perrucci. Even worse, she managed to alienate slate belt voters in the process. They tend to remember things like that.

Now don't feel sorry for poor Christian Perrucci. In late October, he gave $1,000 to Pay to Play Pawlowski. I'm sure King Edwin will remember a loyal vassal.

McClure Wants a "Pay to Play" Council Solicitor

Northampton County Council member Lamont McClure, supposedly an attorney, should really spend a little more time reading the law. If he ever bothered to glance at the Home Rule Charter, for example, he'd know that the appointment of its solicitor is a decision for the entire council, not any single member. Not even council's president has unilateral authority to hire or fire its lawyer.

Yet that's precisely what Lamont did. In a condescending letter to Interim Solicitor Anthony Martino, McClure instructs that because he'd like another lawyer to represent council, the entire body is sacking him.

If McClure has reached a consensus with four other members of council to replace Martino, that occurred at no public meeting. Martino was appointed October 16 by County Council resolution. If five members of council have decided to change course, their decision is a violation of the Sunshine Act, which requires council business to be conducted in public.

Either way you cut it, McClure's letter to Martino is a nullity. He has either exceeded the power of a sole council member or has violated the Sunshine Act. Butto McClure, the ends justify the means. He justifies ignoring the law, telling The Express Times "It's time to get some new blood into the solicitor's chair."

It's not so much new blood, but blueblood. McClure wants to replace Martino with Bethlehem attorney Christian Perrucci, who has spent that last month lobbying individual council members for this $49,000 part-time job.

Pennsylvania campaign finance records place Perrucci very solidly in the "pay to play" camp. In just two years, this young lawyer has already contributed $12,775 to Democrats seeking state offices. This includes $1,650 for Northampton County DA John Morganelli's failed AG bid. It includes $4,000 to former state house Democratic whip Mike Veon, currently under indictment for Bonusgate, and another $1,000 to current state house Democratic whip and payjacker Bill DeWeese.

Perrucci is part of a "pay to play" family. He practices law in a firm started by his father, Phillipsburg attorney Michael Perrucci, and former NJ Guv' Jim Florio. Like his son, Michael is very generous to Democratic candidates for state office, and has contributed at least $25,730 over the years to Governer Rendell, John Morganelli and others. His law firm represents the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Authority, rest home for political hacks. As a Director of ClearPoint Business Resources in 2007, his total compensation was a paltry $54 million.

Even Christian's sister, Bonnie Perrucci, gets into the act. She's contributed $200 to Lamont McClure.

In contrast to the Perrucci bluebloods, Martino is a Roseto piker. Over his lengthy legal career, he's made just five political contributions, totalling $250. They've all gone to judicial candidates. He's a lawyer, not a pol. He's no "pay to play" aficionado.

McClure, however, has no interest in the law, or he might try following it now and then. He is, however, very interested in "pay to play." And he's doing his best to make room for a blueblood with a very deep pocket. After all, this is an election year.

Update: Now, in addition to Perrucci, Bucks County windbag Larry Otter has just submitted his resume to council. Otter is the maroon who attempted unsuccessfully to soak Northampton County with a $2,470 private attorney bill for a few hours work when Dem party bossman Joe Long asked Otter to represent then voting registrar Debbie DePaul. His bill included $36.83 for din din at Uncle Wesleys. Stoffa refused to pay. Otter promised revenge. I guess this is it.

On the bright side, council is located very close to the Delaware River, so Otter can pop in there all the time.

Friday PM Update: A third resume circulating among Council members is Bethlehem Attorney Barbara Hollenbach, who was instrumental in naming Council Prez Ann McHale as the Bethlehem YWCA "Outstanding Public Servant of the Year."

Happy New Year! You're Fired!

I don't know whether Attorney Anthony Martino is a drinking man, but he has good reason to tie one on this New Year's Eve. The Norhampton County Hangmen have strung him up as county council solicitor.

Council member and chief executioner Lamont McClure, in an arrogant letter, has told Martino "it will not be necessary for you to be in attendance at any future Council meetings."

It's no secret McClure detests Judge Zito, Martino's predecessor. Instead of telling McClure what he wanted to hear, Zito had this silly notion of following the law. To make matters worse, the judgeship that eventually went to Zito is something Lamont wanted for his wife. When Zito's name went to the state senate, McClure was the only council member to vote against a resolution urging a quick confirmation.

What does this have to do with Martino? Martino worked in Zito's law firm, and the sins of the partner are visited on his associate. To be honest, Anthony appears to have adopted many of Lenny's bad habits, which include following the law.

Wthout any apparent authority in the form of a county council resolution, McClure has somehow concluded he speaks for all nine members of Council and has fired Martino. And so Northampton County Council ends 2008, keeping its reputation as the Lehigh Valley's worst local government intact for another year.

Here's the text of his Epistle to Anthony.

During my time on Council I have been tasked by President(s) Grube and McHale to be the Chairman of the Legal, Judicial and Operations Committee. From time to time during my tenure on the committee, they have also asked me to perform specific inquires. Recently, I have been asked to take a leadership role in the selection process to fill the vacancy in the position of County Council Solicitor upon Judge Zito's ascension to the bench. Let me first say on behalf of Council that we very much appreciate your time and effort in your role as interim Solicitor. You will recall that when Judge Zito was sworn in that it was decided by President McHale in consultation with Council that it would be best to finish out the year with a measure of continuity. We are now on the doorstep of reorganization. After much debate and consideration, I have recommended to President McHale that we move in a different direction with the appointment of Solicitor to County Council. Unfortunately, and this is by no means a reflection upon your brief service to us, I must inform you that we will not be appointing you Solicitor to County Council. Therefore, it will not be necessary for you to be in attendance at any future Council meetings.

We are mindful that there is currently litigation instituted by the Executive against County Council with respect to the Personnel Policies Manual. We are also aware that you may not wish to continue to represent the Council in a private capacity. However, should you wish to continue to represent the Council in this litigation, please provide us with your firm's hourly rate post haste so that Council may determine what course it wishes to follow. If you choose not to continue representation of Council for this specific and limited purpose, please inform us as soon as practicable.

Again, thank you for your service in filling the post on a temporary basis. We wish you the best of luck with all of your future endeavors. Should you have any questions for me, please do not hesitate to call.

Thursday Update: Both The Express Times and Morning Call have weighed in on the solicitor slaughter. McClure notes, "It's time to get some new blood into the solicitor's chair." Since Martino has only been solicitor since mid-October, perhaps McClure would like to change them weekly. Council member Ron Angle notes, "We are not a third world country. Lamont McClure is not a dictator ... ."