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| Matt Sorrentino |
The Norris, McLauglin law firm has a starring role in the summer drama that increasingly appears to be a federal investigation into pay-to-play. Not only are partners identified on the FBI subpoena list, but they have been involved in the Pawlowski story for the past several years.This firm was once known as Tallman, Hudders and Sorrentino, a prominent local firm. The firm recently re-located from South Whitehall to take advantage of the low rents made possible at the disingenuously named Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ).
Managing partner Matt Sorrentno is Lehigh County's Solicitor. He also represents Lehigh Valley Health Network, which just happens to be renting space inside the NIZ and even had two security kiosks installed for the short walk from a parking lot to their fitness center. And for good reason! Patrons might run into Rich Fegeley!
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| Richard Somach |
Richard Somach represents Pawlowski contributor Rob Bennett and Bennett Auto Dealerships. Bennett built a new dealership at the former Exide Battery Plant on Lehigh Street, thanks in large part to $4.5 million in federal brownfield remediation grants.. Though the original construction was done by J. G. Petrucci, the last several additions to the site were done by North Star (J.B. Reilly) and Jim Gentile. Bennett sold their East Allentown - West Bethlehem location to the Banko family. Banko never used it, instead moving to a facility in South Whitehall. Somach is anAssistant County Solicitor, Lehigh County Assessment Board Solicitor and is a collections attorney for Nat Penn Bank, among others,
Fed Ed and his family are rumored to use Rich Somach's Florida Keys second home for vacations.
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| Scott Allinson |
In addition to all of the reported connections of
Scott Allinson to Mike Fleck, Allinson also represented Ruckus Brewing in their Neuweiler deal. That was a lot of smoke and mirrors, and may involve Rosen money as speculated by
Michael Molovinsky. Contractor Sean Boyle has supposedly been hired by Ruckus to be their Construction Manager. Allinson is a Fleck lawyer, Ruckus lawyer, Reilly friend and lawyer, Fainor friend and lawyer, Lehigh County IDA lawyer and NorCo Gaming Authority Solicitor. A self-proclaimed rainmaker, his profile claims that he helps businesses "achieve their day-to-day, as well as long-term, business objectives."
He calls himself an economic development lawyer.
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| Ollie Foucek |
I'd be remiss if I neglected to mention
Oldrich "Ollie" Foucek III, City Planning Commission member and chair, ANIZDA Board member, LV Chamber of Commerce Solicitor and major Fed Ed contributor. He recently was among those to
approve plans for a wholesaler along the Allentown NIZ waterfront despite the fact that there were no ... plans. Obviously, this guy is a walking, talking conflict of interest. Being on the Planning Commission and NIZ Board is bad enough, but to be part of a firm that is financially benefiting from both is obscene.
Foucek would likely say Fouck you a year ago. Don't think he'll be saying that now.
Of lesser note are
John Lushis, who is involved in the IDA at both Lehigh and Northampton County; and
Ted Zeller, who I'll bet has done all the PLCB work for City Center, Arena and NIZ restaurants.
