DA Morganelli on the Cone of Silence

Mat Benol and Scott Parsons Like the Cone of Silence idea

Northampton County DA John Morganelli appeared before Northampton County Council yesterday to seek approval for one-step increases in the salaries of three of his employees. The amount is only about $5,000, and Morganelli has the money in his budget. Though the District Attorney is an independent and Constitutional office, Morganelli decided to seek Council's assent for wage increases to nonexempt employees. This is something Brown failed to do for a three-step increase granted to Cathy Allen, his Deputy Director of Administration.

Earlier that day, the Administration had stated that the identity of employees who benefited from Brown's generosity last year are confidential and should be kept from the prying public eye. Morganelli got word of that stance, and said, "I'll just refer to them as Madame X. Or we can go into the Cone of Silence like Maxwell Smart "

After the laughing subsided, Morganelli stated that "all public salaries" are a matter of public information. He added that when he sued Executive John Stoffa over raises he wanted to give to Assistant DAs, their salaries were "all over the newspapers." He stated the names of the employees affected are included in his request. You may release them. They're public as far as I'm concerned."

Morganelli's request was approved by Council's Personnel Committee.

Bob Werner complimented Morganelli for respecting Council enough to ask for their approval.