Fed Ed's Tragic Finale

I skipped the sentencing hearing yesterday for former Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski. His hubris did him in long before Judge Juan R. Sánchez imposed a 15-year sentence. Remember, this is the man who admitted at his trial he "wasn't correctly telling the truth" during his FBI interview. Yet he tried to foist one last lie on Judge Juan R. Sánchez. Since the federal investigation became known, he has tried very hard to reinvent himself as the nice guy who tells us to be kind to one another. He's become a man of the downtrodden. I know a much different Fed Ed.

In 2007, when LANTA decided to remove bus stops between 7th and 10th on Hamilton Street, the mostly minority merchants reached out to Fed Ed for help. He refused to even speak to them. He refused to speak with me, too.

One of those he ignored was Bibi Hazra, who then operated the Loco Dollar Store in downtown Allentown. I'll never forget her words.

"He's our father. He's the father of our house. He's supposed to take care of us. If he doesn't take care of his children, who can he take care of?"

The rich.

His campaign finance reports and city contracts tell us who he was really serving.

Judge Sánchez saw through the bullshit.

Press reports indicate he's on his way to the Federal Detention Center in Philly until he's classified. He'd be better off on a slave ship being used as an oar.

What's most remarkable is his complete absence of remorse.

His unwillingness to face his own flaws and be honest with himself paved the way to federal prison for him.

I take no satisfaction in seeing him incarcerated. His years in office haven done great damage to the city he claims to have served. Now he's serving 15.

Feds: Pawlowski Deserves 155-188 Month Sentence, Immediate Incarceration

Federal prosecutors filed a 32-page sentencing memo yesterday, seeking 155-188 months of imprisonment for disgraced Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski. "The government also recommends that the Court remand defendant Pawlowski to the custody of the U.S. Marshals immediately following the sentencing," writes the U.S. Attorneys. So when Fed Ed faces the music next week, he had best bring along a few pairs of rubber underwear.

Sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday, September 5, 10:00 AM, at the U.S. Courthouse in Allentown.

AUSA Anthony Wzoreck explained what this is all about by quoting Theodore Roosevelt.

"[C]orruption strikes at the foundation of all law. Under our form of Government all authority is vested in the people and by them delegated to those who represent them in official capacity. There can be no offense heavier than that of him in whom sacred trust has been reposed, who sells it for his own gain and enrichment. He is worse than the thief, for the thief robs the individual, while the corrupt official plunders an entire city or State.”

To those who claim Fed Ed never acted out of lucre, Wzoreck responds that " Pawlowski put his private interest – his ambition — ahead of the public’s interest in good government. He systematically corrupted the contracting process in Allentown to serve his personal interests."

Fed Ed's two tragic flaws - the "vaulting ambition" of MacBeth and the hubris of Xerxes. 

I predicted 10-12 years and stand by it.

The "Legend's" Supporting Letters

The Legend

Disgraced Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski will be sentenced September 5 after a jury found him guilty of 47 counts of political corruption. His sentencing memo and 107 supporting letters are both included in a story at WFMZ-TV69. Though his memo claims he is humble man who lives for others, the picture that Attorney Jack McMahon unintentionally paints is one of the very kind of hubris that led to his downfall and that he continues to display today. Referring to him as a "legend" is hardly going to help. The memo is completely devoid of remorse. I also amazed at three of the letters McMahon submitted.

Tricia Mezzacappa? Though I doubt she's ever met Fed Ed, she nevertheless states that Fed Ed has been "unnecessarily smeared, defamed, slandered and framed by media outlets" in what she calls a "witch hunt." Of course, Mezzacappa also penned a letter to the editor defending mass murderer Rockne Newell, claiming he was a victim of government oppression. Last year, she ended an email to West Easton Borough Council member Matt Dees with "Have a nice day faggot!" Earlier this year, she was found in contempt in one of her West Easton lawsuits. She also lost a defamation action I filed against her a few years ago.

Another "character" reference comes from another defamation defendant who, like Mezzacappa, claims Fed Ed was framed. "The real story here isn’t who got a steak dinner and Eagles tickets but who was out to get Ed Pawlowski and why."

Alrighty then.

Then we have Kevin Lott, a Carpenters Union official who participated quite extensively in legal pay-to-play, giving Fed Ed gobs of money and getting lots of work. Lott also filed a frivolous suit over the P3 bridge project in Northampton County, and is at least partially responsible for the excessive legal fees that Northampton County paid.

Many of the other letters are actually quite touching, but not these.

What's the Over Under on Fed Ed?

Earlier this week, disgraced former Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski and his wife Lisa started a a GoFundMe page to help with their legal expenses. They raised $2,380 as of last night. The link to the page is gone. Many people were very upset at Pawlowski's sense of self-entitlement. That little trick may have earned him an extra year, especially since it displays defiance instead of remorse. 

I was not going to ask for predictions, but i think he's earned this attention. I say his minimum sentence will be 10-12 years. What's your guess? The person who comes closest gets to decide what charity is worthy of the $115 I raised on my parody GoFundMe page.

Fed Ed Lashes Out At His Critics

Earlier this week, disgraced former Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski and his wife Lisa started a a GoFundMe page to help with their legal expenses. It includes ythe family picture you see above. So far, they have raised $2,380. But a lot of people were very upset at the Pawlowski sense of self-entitlement. Both dailies ran stories, and I was texted by several people. On his Facebook page, people were slamming him, too.

I figured I could be just as pig a moron as he is, and started my own GoFundMe page, seeking $100 million to help me deal with my flatulence problem. Though I meant this as a joke, I've received $110 in donations.

Fed Ed got Fed Up. He deleted the comments critical of him on his own Facebook page, and then this phony delivered a homily on the importance of being kind. "I don’t love the meanness on social media," he complains.

Wait until you experience the meanness of a federal prison, Fed Ed. I know one there right now who tells me the bologna tastes exactly like a pig's anus (I neglected to ask him exactly how he knows this) and that prison doctors are doctors the way Dr. Pepper is a doctor.

I agree it's important to be kind, a behavior you never exhibited as Mayor.

But it's even more important to be honest, as you are about to learn.

Where is Fed Ed Working?

I used to call him Fed Ed, but these days it really is Dead Ed. Former Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski has been disgraced by his conviction on 47 counts of political corruption, and will be going to jail for a very long time. Had he accepted responsibility at the onset, he'd be looking at far less time. He chose to roll the dice and lost. In the process, he put himself in front of city workers and residents, as well as his own family.  He endangered the very revitalization he claims to have created. But I've heard he has a job with a prominent former attorney, at least until he is sentenced. I have emailed this former lawyer, and am waiting for a reply before I name him. While I wait, feel free to comment on anything you've seen to support this story. 

Updated: Fed ED Resigning Today? Believe it When You See It

Both WFMZ-TV69 and The Morning Call are reporting that Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski is going to resign today. The WFMZ report cites multiple unnamed "sources," while the newspaper is hanging its hat on just one.

I have no problem with relying on anonymous sources so long as the reader knows that is what you are doing. I do that all the time. Also, I have heard the same story from multiple sources myself. According to Emily Opilo's twitter feed, Pawlowski briefed top staffers at a meeting with them Tuesday night. This would have taken place after Judge Juan Sanchez canceled Friday's "status conference."

But we know that his wife Lisa wanted the City to carry the family on health insurance a bit longer even though that would be theft. From his Facebook page (since deleted), we also know that Fed Ed stated yesterday that he is broke.

So while I do think he's going to resign eventually, and am hopeful it does happen today, I'll believe it when I see it. He is just arrogant enough to stretch this out a bit longer, completely oblivious of the reality that he would be hurting himself at sentencing time.


Updated 3:40 pm, Mayor Resigns! - My thanks to a reader who attended Fed Ed's resignation, and who was kind enough to provide this update: "Attended mayor's news conference, he did not take questions. He said his resignation is effective 5 p.m. tomorrow (Friday). Stated he would appeal. Said he was proud of the revitalization of a "rust belt city" in his 12 years in office. Expressed gratitude for support he has received from citizens. Expressed regret the citizens had to endure his legal process. His son attended the conference in front of his South 11th Street row home but not his wife. He was welcomed with applause from a contingent of recognizable City Demo Party members. One individual walked around with a sign indicating he was "For Sale" and the TV crews all interviewed sign man after the event ended. TV stations from Philly were there. Mayor was non-emotional. His lawyer then talked for a much longer time, not saying much except confirming there would be an appeal process and reminding folks the mayor could have delayed his resignation for some time prior to this week."

Fed Ed "Status Conference" on Friday

Judge Juan Sánchez has ordered Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski to appear for a "status conference" on Friday, 11:30 am, at the US Courthouse in Philly. Judge Sanchez will likely set a timetable for disposition of post trial motions. It is rumored that Pawlowski will resign before the hearing, but the judge may also want a risk assessment to ensure that the Mayor has no intention of harming himself. Finally, a sentencing date will likely be set.

And the Fallen Angels Just Laugh

Yesterday, as he does every Sunday, Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski posted an "inspirational quote" on his Facebook page After all, he is a very holy man. He went to Moody Bible College. He's married to a very holy woman who also attended Moody Bible College and cured homelessness in Allentown.

And the fallen angels just laugh.

The man who has prayer meetings at city hall, and who beats his breast as well as any Sadducee, made sure he checked under the stalls of bathrooms so that no one could hear him conduct criminal business. He could look the jury in the eye and piously deny any wrongdoing, while simultaneously telling his Myrmidons, "You can’t get indicted for anything except for the s--- you say out loud, so don’t say s--- out loud.”

And the fallen angels just laugh.

The man who proclaimed he had no influence over the Zoning Hearing Board or the Parking Authority and who spoke with the jury as though he was a guest in their living room, has also posted comments on his Facebook page asking us all to "be kind" to one another. Yet this is the same holy man who nearly assaulted former Human Relations Commissioner Eugene McDuffie back in May. McDuffie was backing someone other than Fed Ed in the Mayoral race. He has used these same bully tactics against Council members Cynthia Mota and Candida Affa, and amazingly, may have assaulted Mota last week right before he took the stand.

And the fallen angels just laugh.

On Friday, I learned from a Syrian business owner why that community really supported Fed Ed. His opponent was a Jew. Fed Ed played on their anti-Semitism.

And the fallen angels just laugh.

He claims to be shocked, just shocked, to learn that city contracts were going to campaign contributors. But that's precisely why two fallen angels, Mike Fleck and Sam Ruchlewicz, worked for him. He told them they "need to insulate me from all this crap." They were his fall guys.

And the fallen angels just laugh.

Last time I was in the courtroom, I saw Pawlowski supporters and detractors. I'm also sure that Lucifer and the fallen angels were there, too, quietly laughing.

In Dante's Inferno, barratry (political graft) is considered even worse than simony (stealing the collection plate) because it has such a negative impact on society. That's certainly true in Allentown, both in the government and the community. Trust for elected officials is gone. Business is stalled.

And the fallen angels just laugh.

Fed Ed's cross-examination resumes today. He did pretty badly on Thursday. He's already been forced to concede he lied to the FBI about a cyber attack. Worse, he got caught in a lie about Fleck and Ruchlewicz being there to insulate him.

Blogger's note: Apologies to Ray Wylie Hubbard.

18 Prominent LC Dems Say NO to Fed Ed

In a July 31 statement released just four days after Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski was indicted on 54 counts of political corruption, 18 prominent Lehigh County Democrats made very clear they want nothing to do with him or his re-election campaign. Whether party officials ever distributed this missive to the press is unknown, but I received a copy on Saturday, and this is something you need to know.

The letter appears to be a response to a rambling and disjointed news conference by Lehigh County part boss Walt Felton, at Fed Ed's campaign headquarters, on the day of the indictment. "This was, a best, a tone-deaf response by the chairman, and at worst, an open attempt to imply the entire Lehigh County Democratic Party supported the Mayor's efforts," say these party members. "While none of the undersigned are presuming to pass judgment on the Mayor's innocence or guilt, we do feel he has lost the moral authority to not only govern, but to be the party's standard bearer in the general election of 2017."

The 18 Democrats, many of whom are running for election in November, state that the cloud of political corruption hanging over Allentown "has hampered the functions of our city's government, hurt the employees who serve every day, stalled our economic rebirth, and most disturbingly, created disdain and distrust among the citizens of Allentown."

They state that "government's purpose is to serve the citizenry. We believe this idea has been betrayed by the Mayor, and we will not be counted with him."

These 18 Democrats are as follows:

Peter Schweyer, State Rep., 22d District;         Julio Guridy, A-town City Council
Mike Schlossberg, State Rep., 132d District;    Dave McGuire, Atown City Council
Phil Armstrong, LC Exec candidate;                 Courtney Robinson, Atown City Council candidate
Geoff Brace, LC Comm'r District 4;                  Ed Zucal, Atown City Council candidate
Bob Elbich, candidate, LC District 1;                Ce-Ce Gerlach, Atown School Director
Amy Zanelli, candidate, LC District 3                Charles Theil, Atown School Director
Ray O'Connell, Atown City Council Prez           David Jones, LC Comm'r District 3
Daryl Hendricks, Atown City Council VP;          Roger MacLean, Atown City Council
Candida Affa, Atown City Council;                    Joyce Moore, U Milford Super. candidate

Fed Ed Case: US Atty's Office Should Indict Itself Next

During the primary season, about 8,000 Democrats decided to run for Allentown Mayor and enabled Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski to win with just four cent of the registered Democratic voters. Though seven people had already pleaded guilty to political corruption and had implicated Fed Ed, the United States Attorney's Office was strangely silent. Some say the office is in complete disarray, thanks to the revolving door in which prosecutors there seem to have no idea whether they are coming or going. Some say that they were licking their wounds after having their heads handed to them in a few high profile political corruption cases. Still others speculated that no indictment would be forthcoming because that might impact the election. A few even suggested that Fed Ed would never be charged.

We now that Federal prosecutors managed to find the most idiotic way to proceed in this matter. Publicly, they curled up in a ball and let Fed Ed march on to victory though they know he's a crook and that the vast majority of Allentown voters preferred someone else. But behind the scenes, they secured pay-to-pay guilty pleas from two more businessmen and kept the public in the dark. Heaven forbid that the public be told the truth. Their dishonest inaction impacted the primary election in a far more negative way than if they had just done their jobs and indicted when ready.

The Morning Call provided some of the details yesterday. The new charges are against Mark Neisser, a glorified salesman armed with a briefcase and cellphone who was employed by T and M Associates; and Patrick Regan, a glorified salesman who is also armed with a law degree and who works for TEN. Neisser has been charged with a single count of conspiracy to commit bribery, while Regan has admitted to a conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

Both charging documents are based on information that is now years old and has been collecting dust.

Behind closed doors, an information was filed and sealed against Neisser on March 13. He entered his guilty plea on April 6. Earlier this month, the feds quietly unsealed the record with no notice to the public.

For Regan, an information was filed and sealed on May 11, just four days prior to the primary. It was unsealed after the election, on June 14, and he only entered his plea On June 20, with no notice to the public.

What I find especially troublesome, in both of these informations, is the lack of a direct link to Fed Ed.

Neissen is charged with bribing former Mayor Vaughn Spencer, who like Fed Ed is still walking around as though nothing has happened. But in his case, the information includes statements that Spencer made, like “I cleared [a specific engineering contract] for [defendant MARK NEISSER’s engineering firm]. So we need to get something from them,” and "I went out of my way for [defendant MARK NEISSER’s firm] . . . [T]hat project, they weren’t even, they were, they were already ruled out. . . . And I got them back in there and got them approved.”

There is none of that for Fed Ed. Instead we are told that he acted through intermediaries like Francis Dougherty and Miked Fleck, whose credibility can be easily attacked. There are no juicy quotes, indicating either a very weak case on these counts or a terrible job of drawing up the charging documents.

While Fed Ed was publicly proclaiming his innocence and asking, "What cloud?", the Feds were depriving you, the public, of the right to their honest services. Maybe they should charge themselves next.

Their disregard of the public is shameful and should be brought to the attention of the courts when the seek the next round of sentencing continuances.

Mark Neissen Information

Neisser Information by BernieOHare on Scribd

Patrick Regan Information

Patrick Reagan Information by BernieOHare on Scribd

Fed Ed Tries Bully Tactics on Eugene McDuffie

I've told you before that Allentown City Council needs cops, not criminals. I feel reassured knowing that former police chief Roger MacLean is on Council. The same goes for Daryl Hendricks, a former Captain. He has Fed Ed's number and most certainly deserves re-election. I also support Ed Zucal, a retired APD SGT, and Dan Buglio, a Deputy Corner and part-time police officer in Coplay and Slatington. These guys put their their lives on the line for you. They know what it means to serve. Allentown is in crisis mode and really needs first responders on Council.

Having said that, I want to talk a moment about Eugene McDuffie, another City Council candidate. I met him in the September 2015, and over the course of a few hours, he told me his life story. It's the sad story of a 14 year-old boy who ran away from abusive parents to live on the streets of NYC. Thinking he was worthless, as attempted to end his own life several times. But it's also a happy story. He found God, moved to Allentown, raised a family of his own and has a passion for the City's homeless. It was McDuffie who was my tour guide several years ago.

He is a gentle man. His view of the world and other people is almost childlike. He is someone I consider a man of God, even if he lacks a degree from Moody's Bible Institute. I chose not to support him in his bid for a seat on City Council, but only because I believe he does more good helping people one-on-one. Believe it or not, I think he's far more comfortable with the homeless and addicts than with politicians. He is " Pawlowskia first responder for the soul.

McDuffie asked to speak to me yesterday. Apparently,he's been accosted by Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski. On May 5, he was summoned by Fed Ed assistant Ismael Arcelay for a meeting at City Hall concerning the Human Relations Commission, of which he was a member. He went into a room and Fed Ed was sitting there, along with City Council candidate Jessica Ortiz, who is in Fed Ed's pocket.

Fed Ed had no interest in discussing human relations. He was misusing city resources for politics. He was there to bully McDuffie. He demanded to know why McDuffie had posed for pictures with Allentown activist Robert Trotner. He then demanded to know why he had appeared in a video with Mayoral candidate Josh Siegel. Grabbing his cell phone, he shoved it into McDuffie's face, yelling at him. McDuffie was extremely upset that evening and has decided to resign from the Human Relations Commission, which he believes is being perverted by Fed Ed for political purposes. Last night, he went to Allentown police to see if Fed Ed's conduct amounts to criminal harassment.

So much for the phony who exhorts everyone to "be kind."

Whether this conduct constitutes harassment is in my view questionable. But I do know that using public resources for political purposes, as Fed Ed clearly did, is a theft of services from the taxpayers of Allentown. It is precisely that kind of conduct that led to Bonusgate.

According to McDuffie, Fed Ed has tried similar bullying tactics on two of his former supporters. One of them is Cynthia Mota and the other is Candida Affa.

He's a bully.

Fed Ed is Having a Fundraiser

Allentown mayor Edwin "Fed Ed " Pawlowski is having a fundraiser next week. You can get in for $100. hat's a Yugo supporter. The entire Allentown office of the FBI has already signed up.

Would You Like a Fed Ed Yard Sign?

Yesterday, a friend sent me a notice for Fed Ed yard signs. I was going to post it here, but then designed my own. If you'd like your own yard sign, please leave your name and email address in a comment here. (Only I will see it). Once I have 25 orders, I will be in touch. If I get 25 orders, the price will be a little under $10. The more signs ordered, the cheaper this will be. I expect to make no money doing this, and will almost certainly lose a few bucks, but that's OK. I will file an independent expenditure report as required.

Also, if you can come up with a better design, send it tome at BOHare5948@aol.com . I'm not proud.

Allentown's Former DCED Director Claims Fed Ed Corrupt

Betsy Morris Levin is an 18-year veteran of the City of Allentown who resigned as Director of Community and Economic Development in 2007. She considered that her "dream job." Prior to that, she ran the Burau of Recycling and Solid Waste. Ten years after her resignation, she's finally speaking out on Facebook Facebook about what she calls "corruption and beginning of a "reign of terror" instigated by Fed Ed and his Managing Director, Fran Dougherty. I reached out to her today, but have yet to establish contact. I am told that FBI, which also reads Facebook, has contacted her, but have been unable to confirm that with her. Here's what she has to say on her Facebook page. her observations may be beyond the Statute of Limitations, even for RICO.    

February 2: "Do we really want to re-elect ed??? Did he make Allentown great again?? In my opinion, he has not. I have decided to start telling anyone who wants to listen that in my opinion ed is a terrible mayor. I intend to explain why I have this opinion in future posts. I worked as the Director of Community and Economic Development from July 2006 until I resigned in disgust in June 2007. I saw corruption and the beginnings of the reign of terror that has decimated the ranks of Allentown city government. That is why I quit despite being in my "dream job". So please people vote for anyone but ed in the primary."

Yes I personally witnessed corruption that was ordered by ed. That and other things drove me to resign before I was a party to the corruption reign of terror. and He and Fran Dougherty had a hit list of all the bureau managers in the department of community and economic development. I began working for the City in 1989. At that point, Allentown was run by professionals. I worked for 3 mayors before ed. They respected the department heads and bureau managers. Not ed. In my opinion ed brought Chicago style corruption and Fran Dougherty brought Philly money and corruption to Allentown. They fired Eric Weiss the head of Building Standards in February 2007 because he would not bend the rules for their developer friends. That was one of the last straws for me!! Eric Weiss was the consummate housing professional. Since Eric left ed has decimated the city's housing programs. The percentage of rental housing has increased dramatically under ed and enforcement has declined. I think ed will eventually be indicted but maybe not before the democratic primary in Allentown which ed could win. That is why I am finally speaking out. I feel that four terms of a corrupt and hitleresque regime is enough Ralph.

February 5: About 10 years ago I saw Fran [Dougherty] tell a building inspector to lay off of a certain developer who owned a building with multicolored window frames at Jordan and Tilghman Streets. I was new in the job as director of community development after 17 years running the bureau of recycling and solid waste. Ed and Fran were trying to get me to fire Eric Weiss who ran the bureau of building standards and reported to me. Eric is an honest, knowledgeable and dedicated housing professional. Being new in the job, I asked the inspectors who were trying to do their jobs, to take me to the building. It was like going to a third world country. Or back to 1865 in the US before laws were passed to protect us from greedy capitalists. OMG I saw families living in the building with small children!!! They were working with chemicals and blow torches making who knows what?? There were sheets hung for privacy for the families living there. They were cooking over propane rice cookers. Buckets instead of bathrooms, no sprinklers, multiple violations. An appalling and shocking sight. I should have taken photos. Back in city hall one of the inspectors said to Fran, after being told not to file the citations, "I don't work for you Mr Dougherty I work for the state." Apparently the building inspectors are professionals with state licenses. Eric was finally fired by ed and Fran in February 2007. They told him they were taking the bureau in a different direction!!!! Yes they have!! I started writing resignation letters and filing them away. I was in my dream job. Kids in college. I needed and loved my job. I resigned without another job in hand in June 2007. I have kept quiet for 10 years. Not anymore. I feel that we who care about Allentown can't wait for the FBI to indict ed before the democratic primary in May. I feel that 12 years of this regime is enough. And so do many former city employees!!! Just ask one. Have a great day!! Go team. I am putting my soap box away. For now.

Racine Invites, Then Disinvites Fed Ed

On February 17, Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski's publicly paid propagandist issued a news release proudly announcing that ha had been invited to Racine, Wisconsin. That city is considering building its own arena and hotel, and Fed Ed was going to share his pearls of wisdom. Thanks to their local newspaper, the Journal Times, he's been disinvited as fast as a judge's tipstaff can say, "All rise."

That newspaper did what some newspapers still do. It checked and learned that not only is Fed Ed himself under investigation for political corruption but six people around him have already enter guilty pleas to little things like bribery, lying to the FBI and bid-rigging. Three of those involved were city employees. One was his former campaign manager, who was also a business "consultant" to those who wanted to do business in Allentown.

“When you talk about a person who’s credible, in his case, he’s incredible,” Hendricks told the Journal Times. “He’s one of the least transparent, open and honest politicians I’ve ever met.”

“The investigation has been going on for almost two years and there’s been no charges filed against me,” Fed Ed told the Wisconsin paper. “I’m running for my fourth term as mayor and we’re getting good response.”

After that story broke, Racine Mayor John Dickert pulled the plug on Pawlowski's trip. “It was very disheartening how quickly the purpose of (Mayor Pawlowski's) visit and presentation turned into political mudslinging," he said in a dig at what he called the "hometown" paper. The integrity and economic benefit of this project is too important to allow it to be politicized.”

Rickert obviously failed to look into Fed Ed before inviting him. Given this lack of due diligence on his part, I question what effort he's really put into an arena project.

And that'snot political.

A Tale of Three Mayors and Their Campaign Finances

If you want to see what someone's really like, you need to follow the money. Daily newspapers have abdicated their roles as government watchdogs, but many of these reports are now available online. I have looked at the year-end campaign finance reports filed by the three Mayors. Here's what I learned. First, and this is no surprise, Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski actively tries to keep the public and the feds in the dark. Second, Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez remains all too willing to allow special interests to fund his campaigns. Third, and this was a surprise to me, I actually saw flashes of integrity in the campaign finance report filed by Easton Mayor Sal Panto.

Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski $75,000 Transfer Is Illegal. - Fed Ed's year-end report demonstrates an utter disregard for the people he supposedly represents. He's diverted money he received to run for the US Senate and Governor to pay off lawyers representing him and possibly his wife in a federal political corruption investigation. He has also formed a new campaign committee to avoid disclosing contributions until election eve.

At the end of 2015, Fed Ed had about $100,000 in federal campaign funds as well as $83,000 in his state campaign treasury. At that time, he had already paid $80,000 to lawyers representing him in the criminal probe. This year, he spent another $170,425.45 for his criminal defense. To do this, he had to transfer $75,000 from his federal fund to his state fund. He also had to borrow $35,000.

Fed Ed has already spent $250,000 for criminal lawyers, and this is before he's even been indicted.

He clearly used the $75k transfer to his mayoral campaign to pay legal fees. This transfer was made on January 20, 2016. Four days before that, he wrote a massive check out (on January 16, 2016, which, coincidentally, is a Saturday) to Jack McMahon. And, the day before (Jan. 19th) and the day of (Jan 20th) the transfer, he writes checks for tens of thousands of dollars more.

He transferred this money from his federal to his state treasury because it is likely that the Federal Election Commission (FEC) would have prohibited the use of these funds to pay criminal lawyers.

Federal law prohibits the use of federal campaign funds for "personal use." This includes payment to criminal lawyers, although the FEC is willing to review a transfer on a case-by-case basis.

Rather than undergoing this review, Fed Ed  transferred the money to his state account, where he can pretty much do what he wants. In doing so, he appears to have violated federal law.

If he's unable to use federal funds for personal expenses,and then transfers these funds to a state account so he can pay off personal expenses, he is breaking the law. Upon complaint, the FEC could impose an administrative fine that doubles his illegal $75,000 transfer.

Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez.-  Bob started off 2016 with $120,000, more than enough money to wage a Mayoral campaign against several challengers. Yet he still raised $39,000 in an off-election year. More than half of this money came from people who are already beneficiaries of the City's largesse, or are making money through the CRIZ or various other programs.

I know Bob is a man of integrity. I watched him dip his hands into his own pockets to feed a meter at events where he could easily have maintained he was on official business. He initiated a gift ban among city employees. He could set an example  for others to follow by refusing to raise money in an off-election year,or declining money from people who obviously want something, like Majestic developer Ed Roski. This was a missed opportunity.

John Stoffa, when he ran for re-election, refused to take money from anyone. Jim Hemstreet, when he ran for re-election, capped contributions at $35.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto.- I've been critical of Panto and tagged him for using sock puppets to discuss a host of issues on LehighValleyLive. In fact, one family has sued him for defaming them. But I was impressed by his year-end campaign finance report. Though he is an incumbent mayor with a procession of fawning sycophants and could easily have raised lots of money like his counterpart in Bethlehem, he resisted the temptation. He started off 2016 with $14,000 and raised no money. And what he spent mostly went to worthwhile causes like Notre Dame Green Pond. When he attended the National League of Cities, he would have been justified in charging the city for his attendance. But he instead used his campaign funds for what really was a governmental function.

Panto's campaign finance report does set an example for others to follow.Unfortunately, our dailies no longer follow the money until someone is under investigation. If they did a better job of scrutinizing campaignf finance, as they once did, there just might be fewer investigations.

Fed Ed Seeking More Campaign Contributions

Notwithstanding an imminent criminal indictment for political corruption directly related to his campaign fundraising, Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski is dunning his few remaining supporters for campaign money. Believe it or not, he claims to want to run for a fourth term. I think the real reason he is asking people for $500 a head is so he can pay for criminal defense lawyer Jack McMahon.

Fed Ed Prosecutor Running For Philadelphia DA

Why would Joe Khan, the hard-nosed federal prosecutor who was at the tiller of the Fed Ed investigation, resign before his mission is complete? My assumption was that some high-powered Philly firm had lured him away. But I was wrong. The Inky is reporting that Khan has resigned so that he can take on Seth Williams, Philadelphia's embattled District Attorney.

Williams impressed the hell out of me when he accepted a Kathleen Kane taunt and prosecuted five State Representatives and a traffic court judge with political corruption after she dumped the case, claiming it was unwinnable.  All but State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown have pleaded guilty.    

But Williams himself is in hot water for failing to report $160,5000 in gifts received over a five-year period. According to Khan, Seth "has lost his way."

Khan is a Democrat.

Even Fed Ed's Supporters Cringe

So last Sunday, Allentown Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski was at Allentown's Pride in the Park celebration, along with a gaggle of Democratic political hopefuls. Republicans were building a wall. The MC, probably Adrian Shanker Rob Hopkins, introduced Fed Ed to the faithful, and got a little carried away. He called him the greatest Mayor in the universe.

Fed Ed was thankful for the wonderful introduction and told the MC, "I'll send you a check later."

Not the best joke from someone being investigated for political corruption. Though the gay community loves to get outrageous on Pride days, even they reportedly cringed.

Sources close to the investigation say that the feds have former Reading Mayor Vaughn Spencer on tape, accepting a bribe in the Mayor's office.

Updated 11:05 am: Rob Hopkins confirms it is he who introduced Fed Ed, and not Adrian Shanker. Several years ago, it is Hopkins who launched a vicious robo call against Fed Ed foe Lou Hershman, who was attempting a come back on City Council. Hopkins tells me he tends to use superlatives in describing anyone who speaks at his events. He admits he did call Pawlowski the "best Mayor in the City of Allentown." He points out that the true MC was Bob the Drag Queen.