Pawlowski in Hot Water With FEC Over Campaign Finances

Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski may have suspended his campaign for the U.S. Senate, but is still obliged to file reports. His next one is due on October 15.

His last report, which covered the period between April 1 and June 30, reported $383,717 in contributions and $41,856.01 in expenses.

But it was wrong.

What was not generally known, at least until now, is that he amended his report on August 19, to claim that his contributions were actually $421,367.88 and that his expenses were really $45,426.68.

Who did he forget? Well believe it or not, Abe Atiyeh gave him $5,400, not the $1,000 he reported. He also completely forgot to report the $5,400 he received from Abe's wife Nimita, as well as another $5,400 from Priya Atiyeh.

Must have slipped his mind.

He also completely forgot to mention:
* $1,000 received from the City's Managing Director, Francis Dougherty.
* $1,500 from Mary Ellen Hausman, VP of Planning at Junior League.
* $5,400 picked up from former Fuller Co. owner Gopal Kapoor.
* $2,000 from electrician Munhel Makouhl.
* $1000 from Allentown property owner George Sam.
* $500 from Hellertown businessman John Schneider.

There are more.

Despite the Amended Report, the FEC now wants a full explanation from Fed Ed explaining why this was not included in the original report. They also believe he may have received illegal corporate and union contributions, as well as contributions from PACs not registered with the FEC, like nearly every PAC that contributed to him. He must respond by October 27.

FEC Proves Court of Cuckoo Had It Right

Pennsylvania Avenue tells us that the FEC has fined Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan $1,200 for his improper use of his state campaign treasury to help fund his Congressional race against Charlie Dent last year. Callahan let his local fund pay close to $10,000 for opposition research, and now he has to pay it back.

Back in February 2010, when I first told you about the complaint filed with the FEC, I was bashed in 81 comments. "Nothing will come of this complaint," said one expert. Pa. Progressive, a goofy Berks County blogger, lectured me. "There can be no violation for expenses incurred before filing with the FEC as a federal candidate." He also warned me that I was "wide open" for a libel lawsuit. Another pundit stated "Last I checked, the FEC is the relevant body here, not the Court of Cuckoo, and it has not even opened an investigation. Your repeated assertions that Callahan is definitely guilty and is certain to be fined are absolutely reckless and possibly defamatory. I can't believe what a fool you've made of yourself."

It now appears that something did come of this complaint. Pa. Progressive should probably have Obama appoint him to the FEC so he can straighten them out. The Court of Cuckoo prevailed.