Sultana Vows Write-in Campaign, But DSA Investigating Her Treatment of Staff and Volunteers

Former Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana wanted to primary incumbent State Senator Lisa Boscola, but her nomination petition was rejected by Commonwealth Court Judge Anne Covey. The reason for this rejection is that she failed to tell the public exactly what she does for a living, Judge Covey's decision was affirmed by the Pa. Supreme Court. After being rebuffed by two courts, a normal person would sail off into the sunset.  But as we all know, nothing about Sultana is normal. Yesterday, she announced her candidacy as a write-in candidate, and oh yeah, she wants money. 

Here's her latest text bomb:

"Bernard, While Seniors and working families are struggling with the cost of living.

The political establishment spent thousands to remove my name from the ballot.

But they can’t take away your vote.

WRITE-IN 𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐛𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐚.

It’s time for better wages, tax relief for seniors, healthcare for all, and affordable housing."

When she talks about better wages and helping working families, she probably should start with the people who were working on her campaign. In fact, the local Democratic Socialists of America has asked its members pause any work for her while they investigate allegations involving "her treatment of both paid staff and volunteers while the campaign was active."

Here's what a member sent me yesterday (it is a little unclear unless you expand it). 

Taiba Sultana Will Run For Easton Mayor

In November, NorCo President Judge Craig Dally tossed a defamation lawsuit brought by Taiba Sultana against PA CITIZENS PAC, a political action committee formed by immigration attorney Ray Lahoud. The lawsuit was filed in response to campaign signs that called her "CRAZY CHAOTIC CRIMINAL." The court also rejected defamation claims based on Facebooks statements that called her antisemitic and a "complete nutcase," among other things. She appealed but has apparently been too busy shooting Facebook videos to file a brief. In a one-sentence ruling, the Pennsylvania Superior Court rejected her appeal on April 10. 

On April Fool's Day, Commonwealth Court Judge Anne Covey rejected Taiba Sultana's nomination petition for the Pa. State Senate because, though she claimed to be self-employed, she never bothered to state precisely how she was self-employed. As Judge Covey reasoned, allowing her to get away with such a bald assertion would mean that other candidates could simply claim they are employed, without saying where or how. She appealed, but shooting all those Facebook videos must have really taken its toll. The Supreme Court, on April 9, rejected her appeal. They did give her three sentences. 

So what does this mean? Next year, her political vanity and self-importance will induce her to run for Easton Mayor ... again. This time she'll propose opening an embassy in Iran. 

Commonwealth Court Rejects Taiba Sultana's Nomination Petition for Pa. State Senate

Yesterday, Commonwealth Court Judge Anne E. Covey rejected the nomination petition that former Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana filed for incumbent State Senator Lisa Boscola's seat. (You can see Judge Covey's Opinion below).

Objections to Sultana's nomination petition were filed by Patricia M. Hitzel (an Easton activist and regular attendee of Easton City Council, Celeste Dee, Patricia Bruno and Pamela A. Panto Wife of Easton Mayor Sal Panto. In the course of her very short political career, Sultana has managed to insult each of them. They were represented by Att'y Ray Lahoud, who grew up in Easton and was incensed by Sultana's divisive behavior as a member of Easton City Council. Sultana represented herself.

When a nomination petition is challenges, the Commonwealth Court directs the parties to meet in advance to review signatures and stipulate the status of as many as is possible. Sultana failed to respond to attempts to confer until the day before the hearing. Thus, the court had to recess the matter so the parties could discuss. When Judge Covey reconvened, she sat through 6 hours while 131 signatures were reviewed, of which 85 were clearly invalid. 

At this point, the Court was prepared to hear legal argument, and Lahoud had a good one. On both her nomination petition as well as her statement of financial interests, Sultana lists her occupation as "self-employed" but fails to state exactly how she is self-employed. Relying on Supreme Court precedent, Judge Covey concluded that Sultana's nomination petition is fatally defective. 

This Court agrees that by merely declaring that she is self-employed, without specifying the occupation in which she is self-employed, Candidate deprived electors of information the General Assembly and the Department of State deemed sufficiently material to appear at the top of each Nomination Petition page while electors apply their signatures. In Beyer, our Supreme Court proclaimed that “the statutory purpose behind the requirement [is] that Candidate supply for the benefit of electors his present occupation or profession.” Beyer, 115 A.3d at 841 (emphasis added). The effect of Candidate’s response is no different than if she had simply put employed. Accordingly, this Court concludes that Candidate’s failure to specify on the Nomination Petition the occupation in which she is self-employed had the potential to mislead electors and, thus, is a material defect.

Is this the end of the road for Sultana? Hardly. Expect to see her next year, declaring her candidacy for Easton Mayor.

Decision Rejecting Taiba Sultana's Nomination Petition for Pa State Senate by BernieOHare

Commonwealth Court Schedules Hearing on Objections to Taiba Sultana's Nomination Petition For State Senate

Pennsylvania's Commonwealth Court scheduled a March 25 hearing on objections to the nomination petition filed by Taiba Sultana for the state senate. She hopes to face incumbent State Senator Lisa Boscola in this year's primary. 

Representing objectors Patti Hitzel, Pam Panto, Patti Bruno and Cleste Dee is Allentown Attorney Ray Lahoud, who grew up on Easton's south side. In addition to is challenges to specific signatures, Lahoud has raised the novel argument that Sultana has deceptively claimed to be "self-employed" without explaining precisely what she does as a self-employed person.

The Pa Supreme Court has in the past stricken a nomination petition filed by a law school graduate who held himself out as a lawyer while awaiting bar exam results. So I could see a court ruling against Sultana on this basis alone. 

Taiba Sultana's Nomination Petition for State Senate is Among 41 Challenges Across the State

Pennsylvania's Commonwealth Court has received 41 separate challenges to nomination petitions filed by statewide and congressional candidates. Locally, objections have been filed to Taiba Sultana's nomination petition for the State Senate seat held by Lisa Boscola. She is required to have the signature support of 500 registered voters who live in her district, but according to papers filed by Allentown lawyer Ray Lahoud, she only has 484 valid signatures among the 901 people who endorsed her candidacy. 

Lahoud, you may recall, paid for campaign signs calling Sultana "CRAZY, CHAOTIC CRIMINAL" when she ran unsuccessfully for State Rep. two short years ago. Sultana responded with a defamation suit, which she lost. There's no love lost between these two. 

The actual petitioners are interesting, too. They include Patti Hitzel, a South Side Easton activist who can be seen at every City Council meeting and who was the victim of some ugly attacks by Sultana. They include Easton First Lady Pam Panto, whose husband Sal was rather routinely and unfairly called a bigot and sexist by Sultana. 

In addition to the signature challenge, Lahoud contends that Sultana's required Statement of Financial Interests, which must be filed with the nomination petition, is also invalid. 

Under the State Ethics Act, a candidate must report all direct and indirect sources of income in excess of $1,300. She must also report her "occupation or profession."  She reports that she is "self-employed", but that denies the public the right to know exactly what she is doing. The public is this deprived of knowing the sources of her income. 

Although no court has ruled on this question, the Pa Supreme Court threw out a nomination petition filed by a law school graduate who was not yet a practicing attorney. The court concluded that this misled the public. So if someone lists her occupation as self-employed, but fails to state how this person is self-employed, does this mislead the public, too? That's what the Commonwealth Court is being asked to decide. 

Lahoud also raised some questions about the circulator affidavits 

Sultana Is Definitely Challenging Boscola in Pa. Senate Primary

Earlier this month, I suggested both here and here, that former Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana would primary State Senator Lisa Boscola. Rich Wilkins was the first to make that prediction and he's right. Sultana sent a weekend email exploiting the homicide of Alex Pretti less than 24 hours after his death to dun supporters. Thursday, she sent another mass email for funds, announcing that she's running for state senate. 

The header of this email would lead you to believe that she is running for the state house again. 

 

She's apparently unaware that the Pa. House and Pa. Senate are two different bodies of a bicameral legislature. She does make clear, however, that she's running for the state senate.

She claims to need money because she's finalizing a campaign finance report due within the next 48 hours. Her year-end report is due on February 2, not within 48 hours. Also, that report would include contributions made through the end of the year, not donations made now. So her fundraising letter is deceptive, as is the case with most email requests for money from candidates.

My sole question is whether Boscola can defeat Sultana by a wider margin than State Rep. Freeman did when Sultana promaried him with an ugly race full of negative attacks. Freeman got 77.4% of the vote in that primary. Boscola should win by a similar margin.

Politicians Exploit ICE Homicide to Raise Funds 24 Hours After His Death

On Saturday, an ICU nurse who was participating in anti-ICE activity was shot and killed by a Border Patrol agents that have turned Minneapolis into a war zone. Without question, Alex Pretti was armed. If you want to make cops nervous, that's the way to do it, even if you have a valid permit. At this point, there's no evidence that Pretti was brandishing his weapon, as Kristi Noem falsely claimed, or that he was intended to "massacre law enforcement," as Border Patrol czar Greg Bovino has stated. In fact, Pretti's gun was removed from a holster by an ICE agent before our masked police opened up and poured 9 or 10 bullets into him. 

Without question, this homicide is yet another tragedy inflicted by poorly trained cowboys who, once again, initially refused to allow a physician to render aid. We've been asked to believe that this was a justifiable homicide by officers who were defending themselves from a domestic terrorist. Like Renee Good. Or a disabled American citizen on her way to her doctor when she was yanked from her car. Or detaining a 5 yo boy on his way home from pre-school. I'm sure they were domestic terrorists, too. Ironically, the same people who vehemently protested about being asked to wear masks during a pandemic see nothing wrong with secret police that is stepping all over our basic fourth and fifth amendment rights. 

I've written several times that ICE is totally out of control and needs to refocus its entire strategy. But what I also hate is to see grubby politicians who lack the basic decency to wait until Pretti is buried before exploiting his death and trying to cash in. I'll give you three examples.

First, a PAC with ties to Kamala Harris began exploiting Pretti's death just hours after he was shot. "Alex Pretti is the limit," pontificated Democratic Youth Wave PAC, hitting people up for $50.

Second, Bernie Sanders exploited Pretti's death in a bombastic email today soliciting money for candidates in Minnesota. He only wants $27.

Finally, and close to him, Taiba Sultana sent a blast email to potential contributors on Sunday under the subject "ICE IS KILLING CEVILIANS [sic]". She announces "Another American Killed by Immigration Enforcement," tries to pin the blame on State Senator Lisa Boscola and then asks you to send her "$150 $250 $550 $1000 or any amount [that] helps us organize, reach voters, and prove that conscience still has a place in politics."

My conscience tells me that you don't exploit the murder of a fellow human being 24 hours after his death.

She finishes her email with "Because Pennsylvanian[sic] deserve better.

You certainly deserve someone better than Sultana in Harrisburg.

Taiba Sultana to Primary Lisa Boscola?

Sultana door-to-door

In a recent story on his Apocalypse Now blog, Rich Wilkins suggests that former Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana is planning to primary popular State Senator Lisa Boscola this year. Last year, she was pummeled when she primaried popular Bob Freeman for the State House. Since the definition of cRaZy is doing the same thing over and expecting a different result, and since we all know that Taiba is a wackadoodle, I am expecting an announcement from her soon.

As Wilkins reports Sultana savaged Boscola recently because she supports enforcement of our immigration laws, just like former President Barack Obama. Contrary to what some of you believe, there are many Democrats who believe that illegals or undocumenteds (take your pick) should be deported if they have committed serious crimes. I happen to be one of them. But like most Democrats and many Republicans, I don't think ICE should be shooting American citizens in the face in the course of performing their duties. I don't think they should use chokeholds or carotid restraints. And they should be focusing on grabbing real criminals, not some poor dishwasher in the back of a restaurant. 

I've noticed a few posts from Sultana is recent days in which she lobs a grenade or two at Boscola. I've also noticed that, on Facebook, she's now "Taiba Sultana for Working Families," even though she herself does not work.

On Instagram, she's @taiba_sultana26. This is another hint that she's running. She also has set up an ActBlue account for donations. Yet another hint. 

She'll lose, of course. I have been highly critical of Boscola, who has held office forever. But she's highly popular precisely because her office provides excellent constituent service and she has become one of the State Senate's most powerful members. Sultana, on the other hand, failed to get re-elected in her own South Side Easton district. Running against Boscola in a Democratic primary is a fool's errand. But by now, we all know that's what Sultana is. 

Maybe Sultana can get her husband to circulate another nomination petition signed by Boscola, something he actually did when Sultana was running for the state house. 

Could a Republican run against her? Sure. Before last year's election, a local Republican told me he would be announcing right after election night. Well, when five Democrats were sept into county council office, he probably changed his mind. 

Sultana Excoriated, Extolled in Final Meeting on Easton City Council

Easton City Council had a busy agenda at last night's meeting, which likely is its last of the year. It adopted a pro-immigrant resolution after numerous drafts and discussions. Most importantly, it adopted a budget for next year that keeps property taxes at the same millage rate. The meeting room was packed, not for those things, but because it was Taiba Sultana's last meeting as the south side's representative. A few of them had some things to say. Jeremy Joseph, band leader of the 50-strong Big Easy Easton Brass Band, excoriated Sultana. He was joined by Patty Hitzel, a south side activist. Sultana was extolled, too. Mark Rosenzweig praised her. And she also spent a good five minutes patting herself on the back as the meeting ended. 

Here's what Joseph had to say:

My name is Jeremy Joseph. Before I begin, I want to share where I come from. My family has been part of Easton for more than a century. My grandmother, Emily Boulos Joseph, was descended from the earliest Lebanese settlers who arrived here in Easton in the early 1900s. Her husband, my grandfather, Jacob, Abraham Joseph, opened Jacob's Fruit and Produce in 1935. My story, my family story is Easton's story. Immigrants, who worked hard, built businesses, raised families, and believed truth and integrity were the only things should pass from one generation to the next. So when I stand here tonight, I don't just speak for myself.

I speak for the people who built this community, entrusted that Easton's leaders would deal honestly with its citizens. And that is why what happened at the Christmas parade matters. At the parade, a freezing event I pour my heart into every year, I was publicly accused in the press and online of threatening and harassing councilwoman Sultana. A police report was filed, and everyone who was there knows the truth. And so do the police, the press, and the public at this point. 

Within a single day, East the Police Department confirmed the reality. No threat, no harassment, no crime, no charges. Their words not mine. Describe it as a disagreement over political stances.

So, yes, I became the latest person in this city to be publicly misrepresented by a council member on her way out the door, and I'll be honest, it stung. It was unfair.

So, yes, this is when I realized something. I'm not special. I'm not unique. I am one of many. Because over the last four years, a long list of people have been accused, targeted, and dragged into unnecessary conflict. The mayor, her fellow members of city council, the East, the Police Department, Representative Bob Freeman, city staff, and countless residents. And now even a community band leader.

So when it happened to me, I wasn't joining a scandal. I was joining the club. A club nobody has to be in. It was created because basic disagreement kept being turned into danger. Criticism, in the conspiracy, in public service, in the public conflict.

But here's the good news. This is the final month of that era. Your term ends in January, and when that gavel drops, Easton closes this chapter for good. 

So let's be clear. We can't change the last four years, but we can certainly control the next four. And I think I'm done. We're done with conflict, division, drama, because this moment, right now, is the moment Easton gets to exhale. 

For four years, this city has been pulled into arguments that had nothing to do with progress. For four years, we reacted to drama instead of building momentum. But tonight, we stop looking backward. A new chapter begins and we write it together. We have three new council members, Frank, Julie, and Susan, and they deserve a clean state slate. They deserve a council that works together. Not one constantly defending itself. 

They deserve a chamber focused on solutions, not social media. And we, the community, deserve the same.

Easton is a special place.People here still show up for one another. And let's say this help out. Easton has never been defined by a one term council person. It has always been defined by the people that show up without ego or headlines. Our teachers, police officers, small business owners, volunteers, organizers, neighbors, artists, and musicians. That is Easton, that's the Easton Worth building. And no matter what anybody says or posts, come January, we will still be here.

So here's what I plan to do to move us forward.By turning frustration into action and doing what I've always done, build something for Easton. I am starting a drum line for kids in the West Ward, no title, no salary, no politics, just service. If you're a drummer and you want to join my mission, I have the drum sets for kids. Bring your own drum and help teach. Our open house is March 15th, 5 to 7 at the East Area Community Center. And every kid who attends gets a free pair of drumsticks.

I promise...

Councilwoman Sultana, at the West Ward Christmas Lightning last week, gave kids bar darts. Bar darts, weapons. I'm gonna' give the kids drumsticks. 

So, I invite everyone in this city to do the same in your own way. Lead without holding office. Serve without seeking credit. Build without needing permission. If you love this city, the city will love you back. Let's all go build the city we deserve.

Thank you.

During his speech, Sultana interrupted Joseph several times. She did the same to Patty Hitzel when she complained about being blocked on both Sultana's personal and official page. 

Mark Rosenzweig defended Sultana. "To attack like this, in a planned way, at this open meeting, a person who's been a public servant, serving the community of the Eastern, as best she can, and adhering to her values, and her ideals in this matter, is nothing but appalling, uh, misogyny. Oh, racism."

If you think Sultana's life in politics is over, think again. She's told several people that she plans to run for State Senator Lisa Boscola's seat when her term expires next year. 

Sultana Hands Out Bar Room Darts at Christmas Tree Lighting

As hard as this might be to believe, Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana managed again this past weekend to demonstrate that the "CRAZY, CHAOTIC CRIMINAL" campaign signs that appeared briefly during her race for the state house were entirely warranted. I say this because of her antics on Saturday weekend during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 12th and Northampton in Easton

You may not have seen those "CRAZY, CHAOTIC CRIMINAL" campaign signs because Sultana's children defaced many of them and were in fact nabbed in the act of doing so by a state trooper. She filed a defamation action over those signs, but her case was tossed by President Judge Craig Dally.

Before I tell you about Saturday night, let's review her recent history. She is the Council member who was charged in 2023 with assaulting her own adult son. After being placed on ARD, Sultana claimed that the charges filed against her by Easton police were racially and politically motivated. Easton police responded by releasing the body cam footage on the day of her arrest. to demonstrate that officers acted professionally in response to a 911 call for help. She has been a divisive presence, claiming among other things that she is the only person on Easton City Council who cares about the brown and black community. This should be news to Kenny Brown, who is both black and brown. In a failed bid for the state house, she submitted a false nomination petition that included the forged signature of State Senator Lisa Boscola. (Her photographer husband, Nadeem Qayuum, both circulated and attested to the forged signature. Believe it or not, he is a NorCo Council member elect). Over 250 Eastonians in her district called on her to resign, claiming that "[s]he has brought more division in the City and has continuously been combative with her constituents. ... She seems more interested in making headlines addressing national and international business as a priority."

Just two weekends ago, at a Christmas parade in downtown Easton, she attempted unsuccessfully to have Big Easy Easton Band leader Jeremy Joseph charged with harassment for telling her what he thought of her tenure with the city. Easton police filed no charges because there were no threats or harassment. 

I thought that we all could take a Sultana siesta for the rest of the year. I was wrong. She struck again on Saturday night. That's when Easton West Ward's Community Initiative conducted its second annual tree-lighting ceremony at Paxinsosa Elementary, 12th & Northampton. Santa was there. Food vendors were there.  There were arts and crafts for the kids. No long speeches. Sultana decided to come and bring her own version of Christmas cheer. In utter disregard for people who drive on busy Northampton Street, she double-parked her van on what is probably Easton's busiest road and left it there for two hours until police came and started to run the plate. She took over a table that was intended for people to be able to sit down and eat. But she had free toys. "I loved giving out free toys to the kids as Christmas gifts; their smiles made my night," she recounted on her Facebook page. But event organizers soon began receiving complaints from parents about those "free toys." She was handing out bar room darts. No, Not terf darts. They were honest-to-goodness bar darts. No targets. Just bar darts.  

"You'll shoot your eye out!", parents were telling their kids.  

Taiba Sultana Appeals Dismissal of Defamation Action

Over the weekend, Easton City Council member was highly offended by Big Easy Easton Brass Band leader Jeremy Joseph. She wanted to lead his band in the annual Easton Christmas parade, and he told her what he thought of her. She got out in front of the band anyway, but not before going to police to claim she had been harassed. And she also made sure that Lehigh Valley News was made aware of what had happened. She also posted about it on her personal and Council member Facebook page, falsely claiming she had been "threatened." Easton police yawned, stating there were no threats or harassment. She certainly defamed Johnson and placed him in a false light. But he has no intention of suing, saying that her punishment is "that she has to be her."

She has demonstrated once again "that she has to be her." Last month, President Judge Craig Dally rejected a defamation/false light claim she brought against a policitcal action committee that circulated campaign signs in her race for the state house, calling her "CRAZY, CHAOTIC CRIMINAL" According to Judge Dally, "[S]he has not established with clear and convincing evidence that the identified statements are actually false or that they were made with reckless disregard for the truth." In other words, she could very well be what I would call a wackadoodle.

Well, if there was any doubt in your mind about this, it should be gone with this latest news. On Tuesday, she appealed Judge Dally's decison to the Superior Court. She did this on her own, with no legal representation. Good luck with that!

Taiba Sultana Got Brassy With Wrong Big Easy Easton Brass Band

Yesterday, I told you that soon-to-be former Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana displayed her complete ignorance of the First Amendment ... again. Less than a month ago, she lost a defamation suit over campaign signs calling her "CRAZY, CHAOTIC CRIMINAL."  She could have realized that, in a democratic government, citizens have a right of free speech, especially when it concerns elected officials. She instead attempted on Friday night to con Easton police into filing "harassment" charges against Big Easy Easton Brass Band leader Jeremy Joseph simply because he was critical of her tenure in office. According to Lehigh Valley News, Easton police have decided no charges will be filed because there were no threats or harassment. But this is not the end of it. 

Band leader Jeremy Joseph intends to pack Easton City Council on December 10 to celebrate an incoming Council that gets along and is united. 

Some of you have suggested he sue her. He has no intention of doing so. He said her punishment is "that she has to be her."

Sultana v. Big Easy Easton Brass Band

On Friday night, the Big Easy Easton Brass Band participated in the City's Christmas parade.  I've had the opportunity to view a few YouTube videos of this group, and they make me feel like I'm at a Mardi Gras in New Orleans. They wear outrageous outfits, even stilts and play with such positive energy that you can't help but smile. Unfortunately, the leader of this fun band - Jeremy Joseph - ran into some negative energy that night for refusing to be deferential to City Council member Taiba Sultana. Sultana not only complained to police that she was harassed by Joseph, but she also made sure to prepare and send a news release to Lehigh Valley News about the incident. She also posted about it on her Facebook page, saying this:

Last night while participating Easton’s Christmas Parade, I was harassed and threatened not because of anything I did wrong, but because some people cannot accept that a woman of color,and a fighter for working families has a seat in power.

And I will not accept this intimidation. Not now. Not ever.

The threats I received in person and the disgusting, violent messages sent to me online are not about me as an individual.

They are an attack on every person who believes in a more just, fair, and inclusive Easton.

This is what happens when you challenge old power structures.

This is what happens when you stand up for working people and seniors.

I have filed a police report. Thanks to the random public cameras for recording the evidence. I have documented every threat.

And I will keep showing up louder, stronger, and more determined than ever.

You cannot bully someone who is rooted in community. You cannot intimidate someone who serves with purpose.And you cannot weaken a movement built on justice.

Easton deserves leadership that does not bow to hate, fear, or harassment.

And that is exactly what I intend to deliver.

Bandleader Jeremy Joseph has a completely different take. Here's his response from his Facebook page.

ok Easton, here we go!

Taiba approached me before our parade, acting like we're friends. I let her know what I think of her political tactics - I told her she doesn't support the people she says she does, that we know what she is after years of watching her on city council - that we know what she is from her own children that told the police on camera that she was physically abusing them. She is a fraud. I am absolutely disgusted by her behavior and political positioning. I said all of this to her, then she proceeded to march in front of my band as we paraded down the street, acting like she's leading the parade - I'm the one who said she has "no shame" as she walked in front of the community band I work so hard to keep going.

Now, you are going to file a report that I was harassing you!!!!! You were getting honest feedback from the community Taiba! Deal with it!

You really have no shame! Councilwoman Taiba Sultana Taiba Sultana - you are not welcome at my parades. (She'll remove this tag)

Sultana insisted on marching in front of the band anyway, as though she was leading it, assisted by her photographer husband.

Joseph went to the police station This is what he learned. 

I just got back from the Easton police station. Taiba had no evidence, video or otherwise. She could not explain to the police what I said that was threatening or harassing. She said I created an “unsafe” environment - which the officer asked, “What was unsafe about it? There was a police officer right there and hundreds of people?” She couldn’t answer.

But yet, she goes to the press and accuses me of violent threats? She posts on her social media accusing me of being racist and sexist. She states I approached her, when there were plenty of witnesses that saw the opposite. She approached me.

Does she just get to get away with this?

Sultana apparently intends to run again for the State House or State Senate so she likes to present herself as a victim of racism, sexism who stands up to bullies. 

Except she's the bully. 

This incident has resulted in public reactions from some people I respect.

Easton City Council member Frank Pintabone: "I’m sorry to read this. You are such an asset to our city. You and the band did us proud again last night." 

Easton City Council member Crystal Rose: "Jeremy, I want to thank you for everything you do for this community. Your dedication to the band and to creating inclusive, positive events for our residents is something I’ve always admired and deeply appreciated. The time, energy, and heart you pour into Easton does not go unnoticed.

I’m genuinely disgusted and disappointed by the behavior you described and I’m sorry you were put in that position. No community volunteer, especially someone who has given as much as you have, should ever have to deal with that kind of conduct or political theatrics. Our residents and our events deserve better.

I’m grateful for your continued commitment to Easton. If there’s anything you need from me, I’m here."

NorCo Dem party Vice Chair Sandy O'Brien: "Try your best to shrug this off, as this type of unhinged behavior can really hurt the person it's directed toward. You are respected and applauded for all you do, and I'm certain that you have tremendous support as people read, and probably chuckle about, her latest quest for relevancy."

Judge Tosses Sultana Lawsuit Over Campaign Signs Calling Her "CRAZY CHAOTIC CRIMINAL"

Sultana Libel Ruling by BernieOHare

In a 23-page Opinion filed yesterday, Northampton County President Judge Craig Dally has tossed a defamation lawsuit brought by Taiba Sultana against PA CITIZENS PAC, a political action committee formed by immigration attorney Ray Lahoud. The lawsuit was filed in response to campaign signs that called her "CRAZY CHAOTIC CRIMINAL." The court also rejected defmation claims based on Facebooks statements that called her anti-semitic and a "complete nutcase," among other things. 

At the time these "CRAZY CHAOTIC CRIMINAL." signs circulated (before they were vandalized by her children), Sultana was an Easton City Council member seeking the Democratic nomination for the state house against incumbent Bob Freeman. She lost that race and was also defeated in a May primary to retain her seat on City Council. 

Judge Dally concluded (you can read his Opinion above) that these statements were mere opinions. "[S]uch assertions alone, while annoying, offensive, and rude, do not give rise to a claim for libel and further, do not imply the existence of any undisclosed defamatory attacks." 

In addition, the comments were made without the actual malice required for libel lawsuits brought by public figures. "[S]he has not established with clear and convincing evidence that the identified statements are actually false or that they were made with reckless disregard for the truth." In fact, Judge Dally notes that local news outlets reported on her missed meetings and the criminal accusations that she beat her adult son. He referred to a Supreme Court decision noting that those who enter the political arena "must expect that the debate will sometimes be rough and personal."

In her Complaint, Sultana contended that a PA CITIZENS PAC claim that Sultana has unpaid municipal liens comes from a "dubious source of information". That dubious source is me. While I plead guilty to being a bottom-feeder, I pride myself on giving you premium garbage. There are actually two open municipal liens against Sultana. One is for $1,592.63 and was filed 6/10/24 at 2024-ML-5167. The second, filed 4/18/24 at 2024-ML-3404, is for $922.24.   

She also failed to establish that she suffered any special harm as a result of being called names. She claimed she received unwanted online messages and lost her campaign for state house as a direct result of being called "CRAZY CHAOTIC CRIMINAL" but never produced either these messages or proof that she lost the election as a direct result of the campaign signs. "[T]his Court cannot conclude that her standing in the community has been grievously fractured nor speculate as to the impact of the publication of the statements on the outcome of the primary election."

Sultana was represented by Allentown Attorney Matthew Mobilio, but he withdrew from the case in October.  PA CITIZENS PAC was represented by Attorney Stephanie Steward of the Goudsouzian law firm. 

Ray Lahoud, who formed and funded PA CITIZENS PAC, had this remark: "I appreciate the Court's thoughtful analysis. Ms. Sultana protests about rights and freedoms for all, but is against those rights for individuals that oppose her beliefs. Shame on her."

Sultana told Lehigh Valley News that she intends to appeal. She accused Lahoud of defaming her "“to destroy an immigrant woman who dares to stand up for her community.”

I Welcome Immigrants But Not Taiba Sultana

At last week's meeting of Easton City Council, there was quite the argy-bargy over Council member Taiba Sultana's latest attempt to make immigrants feel at home in Easton. Her earlier attempt at an ordinance failed. Her latest effort - a nonbinding resolution - was tabled so that the language can be cleaned up

During the chaos that seems to follow her wherever she goes, Sultana accused Council member Frank Pintabone of raising questions "because immigrants can't vote for you and you want to make sure you have votes of all the racists, all the white people."

She's continued to bray away on her Facebook page at Pintabone, while weighing in about every five minutes about how bad it is in the US

She's entitled to her opinions. She can claim white people who disagree with her are racist. This is America. She can even criticize the way we responded to the 9-11 attack on Twin Towers, as she actually did on September 11, a day that most Americans remember as the worst thing to happen here since Pearl Harbor. 

Here's what she said.

"On this day 24 years ago, 2,977 people lost their lives. In their names, the U.S. launched a "War on Terror" that created terror by spending $8 trillion of public money, our taxes, killing more than 900,000 humans across Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Pakistan. We were told it was for justice; it was for oil, arms deals, and imperial control. Honoring the fallen means condemning the lies that sent so many more to their graves.

I SAID WHAT I SAID!!!"

She's certainly entitled to claim we are all about imperial control. But my question is - why is she here? If she hates the United States so much, why did she leave Pakistan and move here? Shouldn't she return there or to one of the many countries that endorses her hatred of the US?

I know there's a lot of xenophobia out there, but she herself is full of hate. 

She claims Easton, obtained by the Penns as a result of an admittedly shaky deal known as the walking purchase, is on Lenape land. If she believes that, why would she want to be a member of Easton City Council?

Following the Money: Despite Her Flyers and Palm Cards, Taiba Sultana Claims She Neither Raised Nor Spent $ in Easton City Council Race.

Last year, Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana ran an unsuccessful campaign for state representative against Bob Freeman. Her final report for the period ending 12/31/24 indicates she had unpaid debts of $6,350.97 as well as a negative cash balance of $598.89. This includes a $636 payment to NGP Van, which provides tech support to Democratic campaigns, on 10/18/24. 

Now she's seeking re-election to Easton City Council, and her Pre-Primary Finance report reveals there's been no changes since the end of last year. She's received no donations and is claiming no expenditures. 

She has, however been handing out flyers that attack her opponent, Susan Hartranft-Bitting, as a "disastrous school board member." These handouts claim to have been paid for by Friends of Taiba Sultana. There is no union bug on the handout, and they were hand-delivered, not mailed.  She also has been handing out palm cards.

My conclusion is that she used NGP Van software she purchased last October to create her flyers and printed them out herself.

Although it's hard to believe she spent no money in her re-election bid, it's hard to prove otherwise. It's easy to believe no one contributed to her.  

Sultana's Defamation Suit Against Critical PAC To Be Argued Today

At this time last year, Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana was running against State Rep. Bob Freeman. He's been in office a millennium, so he really should step down. But not to her. She's been a disaster on Easton City Council when she bothers to show up. She likes to accuse everyone who disagrees with her on anything of being racist, sexist, xenophobic or whatever. She has even included Easton City Council member downtown Kenny Brown, who is black and Brown, in these accusations. He himself was a victim of some pretty blatant discrimination by Easton's then racist and brutal constabulary when he was growing up. Before I get into the main topic of this post, which is Sultana's lawfare against a PAC that dared criticize her, let me tell you about how Kenny was victimized. 

Kenny had a brother named Carl. Kenny was good, but Carl fell under the spell of the dark side, committing numerous armed robberies.  He was killed by Easton police, who then knocked on young Ken's door to inform him that "we killed your n----r brother." 

I think it's safe to say Brown cares about discrimination. 

Ken got involved in sports and even began playing with cops. One day, the officer who shot Ken's brother apologized to him for what he had said and how he had said it. 

People can change for the better. So can institutions. That includes police departments. Easton's police department today is a far cry from what it was during the days in which cops would routinely beat people up. It hurts them to hear unfounded accusations of racism like those that Sultana likes to hurl. It hurts the Mayor and Council members who are justifiably proud of the mini mecca that Easton has become. Finally, it hurts those who grew up in the mini-Apple and know what it was like then and what it is like now.

That includes Ray Lahoud. He might be a very successful immigration lawyer, but his roots are in Easton. Like so many Easton residents, he was outraged by the dishonest and spurious claims being spewed by a Pakistani immigrant who settled first in NYC, then Jersey, and only recently in Easton. But unlike most Eastonians, he could so something about it.  

Ray formed what is known as a political action committee (PAC) and then paid for and posted campaign signs around Easton calling Sultana "CRAZY, CHAOTIC, CRIMINAL." Most of them disappeared or were defaced in a few short hours, and state police nabbed Sultana's children (both minors and one adult) in flagrante delicto. In an effort to silence Lahoud, Sultana sued his PAC for libel in a lawsuit filed on her behalf by Allentown lawyer Matt Mobilio. 

Lahoud's PAC, represented by Goudsouzian & Associates, has filed a motion to dismiss (see brief here)  based on a 2024 law called the Protected Public Expression Act. This is a response to a trend in which the "civil litigation system was increasingly being used in an illegitimate way: not to seek redress or relief for harm or to vindicate one’s legal rights, but rather to silence or intimidate citizens by subjecting them to costly and lengthy litigation. These kinds of abusive lawsuits are particularly troublesome when defendants find themselves targeted for exercising their constitutional rights to publish and speak freely, petition the government, and associate with others. Commentators dubbed these kinds of civil actions “Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation,” or SLAPPs." 

Another word for this exists - lawfare. 

Legal argument on this motion to dismiss is scheduled for today. 

Mobilio obviously opposes the attempted dismissal of Sultana's claimed defamation and filed a brief to support keeping his case on life support. It includes an attack on me.

I'm honored. It's not quite the Pulitzer, but I'll take it. 

Here's his accolade:

"Defendant contends that the remaining accusations against Plaintiff are factually correct. However, the documentation that Defendant appends to its motion in support of the truth of these statements, does not in fact support that argument. Indeed, many of the attachments are from “blog posts” and comments published by Bernie O’Hare, a former attorney who was suspended from practicing law nearly forty (40) years ago and who has resigned himself to blogging his opinions about political officials. According to the Moring [sic] Call, Mr. O’Hare was suspended for: “illegal conduct involving moral turpitude . . . dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation . . . conduct."

"Accordingly, to the extent Defendant relies on Mr. O’Hare for “factual”, “reporting”, and that his blog posts and comments somehow constitute a matter of public record, or “truth”, such seriously undermines the entirety of Defendant’s defense and argument."

As I understand this argument, Mobilio asserts that nothing I say should be believed by any sane person. He very well may be right. I know I argue with me all the time. But if that's so, then it also means that nothing I say is capable of defamatory meaning because nothing I say is believable and therefore it is incapable of harming the reputation of another person. His argument is self-defeating. 

I could go on to attack Mobilio himself, as I've done once before. But I think I've made my point. 

By the way, this new act entitles the winning party to seek attorney fees. 

PA CITIZENS PAC Seeks Dismissal of Sultana Defamation Action on Basis of 2024 Law

When she was running for Pa. State Rep. against Bob Freeman, Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana was confronted by a campaign from PA CITIZENS PAC designed to ensure her loss. The PAC bought and posted campaign signs calling her "Crazy. Chaotic. Criminal." Most were torn down or defaced within hours. In fact, her kids were nabbed by Pennsylvania State Police in the act of vandalizing them.  She has yet to understand that "politics is a whore's game, and pimps plat it," as my friend, the late Bob Rudas, liked to say. I would prefer to call it core political speech. But whatever you call it, she decided to intimidate the PAC, which was run by immigration lawyer Ray Lahoud, with a defamation lawsuit. This could end up costing her money. 

The PAC, represented by Goudsouzian & Associates, has filed a motion to dismiss based on a 2024 law called the Protected Public Expression Act. This is a response to a trend in which the "civil litigation system was increasingly being used in an illegitimate way: not to seek redress or relief for harm or to vindicate one’s legal rights, but rather to silence or intimidate citizens by subjecting them to costly and lengthy litigation. These kinds of abusive lawsuits are particularly troublesome when defendants find themselves targeted for exercising their constitutional rights to publish and speak freely, petition the government, and associate with others. Commentators dubbed these kinds of civil actions “Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation,” or SLAPPs."

Protected Public Expression is defined to include the "exercise, on a matter of public concern, of the rights of freedom of speech or of the press, the right to assemble or petition or the right of association, [guaranteed by the federal and state constitution." It can be filed within 60 days after the complaint is served. Moreover, if the moving party is successful, he can seek attorney fees. Thise are ordinarily unavailable in most civil litigation. 

Below is the motion to dismiss what certainly appear like a frivolous complaint. Argument is scheduled in May.  

Brief to Dismiss Sultana Defamation Lawsuit by BernieOHare on Scribd

Pintabone: Marijuana Decriminalization Will Be Considered Again on March 26

During a Facebook Live last night, Easton City Council member Frank Pintabone said that his proposal to decriminalize possession of a small amount of marijuana will be placed on City Council's agenda again on March 26. In a strange meeting on Wednesday night, Council member Taiba Sultana and Mayor Sal Panto refused to vote for the ordinance, despite previous promises to do so. Because Pintabone's proposal only had the support of Pintabone and Council members Crystal Rose and Jim Edinger, it failed to get the four votes needed. 

On Wednesday night, Sultana wanted to table the matter. With what she claimed was a "heavy heart," she made that motion because she said a matter had been brought to her attention concerning an unnamed official that needed to be addressed. 

She clarified what she meant on her official Facebook page on Thursday: "One of the council members is allegedly, directly or indirectly, involved in delivering marijuana. I asked to table the bill because I didn't have all the facts. I vote with my full conscious. I would address these allegations transparently and thoroughly before proceeding with any legislative action." She asserted that a sitting Council member was involved in the distribution of marijuana. Although she said the matter needed to be addressed "transparently," she still failed to name this Council member, but she was referring to Pintabone. 

I say this because, in her failed bid for State Representative, she told many constituents that Pintabone is a drug dealer. They in turn promptly told Pintabone what she had said.  

He has thick skin, and let it go. 

When she was circulating her nomination petition for re-election, she once again told constituents that Pintabone is a drug dealer. They in turn promptly notified Pintabone.

He let it go. 

On Monday, she reached out to Easton Police Chief Carl Scalzo, and said she had been informed that while Pintabone was in Washington with the Mayor to seek finding for city programs, two of his employees had been arrested over the weekend with marijuana in Pintabone's work truck. She was told that was untrue, and the only marijuana arrest over the weekend involved four kids in a Honda Civic with Jersey plates. Despite what she had been told, she later told another Council member that Pintabone was involved in marijuana distribution. 

He adamantly denied any involvement with marijuana, at least not since he was a kid. He added that he does not drink, is a nonsmoker and dislikes the smell of marijuana. "You can't hide who you are if you're running for politics in the city of Easton.” He explained that everybody knows everybody. 

He received a text message from Sultana yesterday after he went on her official Facebook page to set the record straight: "I am so sorry what you heard. It is frustrating to me as well which could not be true but I do not have all the facts. I will be happy to meet you to have a conversation and stand beside you as we have more in common than opposite." 

Wisely, Pintabone declined to respond. I'm no psychologist, but it's pretty clear to me that Sultana suffers from narcissistic personality disorder, from an exaggerated sense of self-importance to her envy of others. She resents Pintabone and what he has accomplished in one short year on City Council, so she decided to muddy him up with libel. 

Is she wishes to apologize, she should do so publicly. In the meantime, Pintabone has retained prominent Easton lawyer Gary Asteak. He, like Pintabone, grew up on south side. 

On the merits, I understand and respect those who think decriminalization should be done by the state. But don't try to claim that a city ordinance providing a less draconian alternative means you are violating your oath to uphold laws, as Rogger Ruggles disingenuously argued. 

Sultana Kicks Off Re-Election Campaign By Giving Neighbor the Finger

Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana is currently suing a political action committee that posted signs calling her "CRAZY, CHAOTIC, CRIMINAL." Based on this photo of her, taken today or yesterday, I'd agree with the campaign rhetoric. After all, truth is a defense. 

Sultana has a brood with a penchant for getting into trouble. We all know that three of them were nabbed by state police in the act of defacing anti-Sultana campaign signs. But some of these little darlings have long been accused of destroying mailboxes at the Easton development where Sultana resides,

One neighbor whose mailbox has been destroyed by little urchins thinks it's them and recently called police to complain. I don't know whether she has photographic or video evidence, but police followed up. 

Sultana's response? She went to the home of this elderly lady, rang the doorbell and gave her the finger. 

This is the second time she has done so. (The picture you see is from the first time). 

What a wonderful way for her to start her quixotic quest for a second term!