Was the judge too quick to dismiss it previously over a technicality?
Considering the arrest of a former officer over theft, what did Roca know about all these shenanigans referenced in the lawsuit?
Certainly a Hispanic chief is a premium to DEI obsessed mayor Tuerk, but if Tuerk didn't know about the alleged shenanigans before the suit, he certainly knew after it was filed the first time. With an upcoming election will Tuerk still stand behind Roca? Will Roca take an offer and leave Dodge before things hit the fan?
All the above appears to be an early Christmas present for Ed Zucal and Mota, but Tuerk will have five more months for damage control.
shown above old city hall and police station by Church & Linden Sts.
Why do you omit referring to the fact that nothing happened from investigation in 2019 under a different D.A, mayor and chief and that would relieve the current mayor and chief of additional criminal investigation in 2023 but disciplinary action within house? The worst thing about your column is how you slant your pitch.
ReplyDelete7:39 - I believe the current mayor and the current chief have attacked the credibility of the whistleblowers and were both adamant that there was nothing to the claims made.
DeleteThen last week the DA brought charges against a former APD officer. Obviously someone was wrong there.
The reinstated lawsuit alleges wrongdoing by at least a dozen APD officers, including the current Chief and three previous chiefs. Also, it appears that that current Mayor and current chief took punitive actions against the whistleblowers, who reported widespread criminal activity within the APD’s Vice and Intelligence units.
Per an article on the reinstated lawsuit, the “The officers’ allegations included vice detectives interfering with investigations, having sexual relationships with prostitutes and stealing money during searches.”
Given the allegations of the lawsuit and the recent arrest by the DA, one has to ask why the current Mayor and current chief are more concerned about discrediting and demoting those making the claims instead of getting to the bottom of the problem. What else are they trying to cover up?
Electing a Mayor like Ed Zucal who is familiar with the police department with ultimately benefit taxpayers.
DeleteThere is no intentional slant. On the contrary, it is my understanding that the recent arrest of a former officer for theft is part of the current whistleblower lawsuit.
ReplyDeleteWhich would conclude me to believe the D.A was the one taking action, and since the officer was no longer employed by the city the mayor and chief had no bearing on the circumstances. I do like your italicized font for a morning chuckle.
DeleteAlthough Tuerk was not mayor when the officer stole from the suspect and Roca was not chief at the time, but presumedly Roca was aware of the allegation. The whistleblower suit alleges other improper behavior glossed over. Neither of us know specifics, but as stated in the post, it is not a good look for either Roca or Tuerk.
DeleteThe fact that Harrisburg politicians aren't happy with the current Mayor puts an unnecessary target on our city.
DeleteAllentown voters have demonstrated a high tolerance for even blatant corruption. Mota's candidacy will amount to nothing but a distraction. Zucal is Matt's real opponent. His best chance of winning is to subtily suggest he is the non Woke candidate and will focus on nuts and bolts issues. He should paint Matt as an out of town elitist, which he is, and form a bond with Allentown's considerable working class residents.
ReplyDeleteTuerk is no Allentown newcomer or elitist. He has lived there over 20 years and bought a house downtown right away when he moved there. His jobs were based in Allentown and LV. He is an asset to LV in a way that Zucal can never be. Tuerk has been a visible activist for non elite causes. Zucal, as he proudly asserts, will set back Allentown light years from the progress Tuerk has made in getting regional, state and national attention, and no, not for the pee wee insults.
DeleteI hope Tuerk reads this and campaigns that as mayor, he is dealing with the surprising pop up ghosts of the past, created by the past 2 administrations. I find it pretty impressive that his campaign from 2022 of economic development has been so successful despite the distractions. Council made him a target. Notice Zucal proposed the investigation of discrimination starting when Turek took office. Tell me there was nothing to investigate prior to that?
Tuerk worked for AEDC, which among their hair brain ideas was having RR track reinstalled to S. 10th St.., to make the Metal Works building more attractive to an industrial client. Of course they didn't protest when the former track was removed. The former Mack factory across the street is now being used for an indoor dump. AEDC has been and remains useless. Neither they or Tuerk had anything to do with the NIZ, which is responsible for the development to which you refer. Zucal retired from the police department. There are those who believe some law is in order.
DeleteIf he is so amazing, please list some of Tuerk’s accomplishments. Simply put, he is bad for Allentown and the majority of his employees can not wait for him to be voted out of office. He has done nothing but keep incompetent people in his cabinet and hire/promote friends and friends of friends. He is a tool of his Administrative aide and executes her agenda because he can’t focus for more than 3 seconds on anything. It is time to vote him out Allentown!
DeleteWhy don't you compare the grants he has pulled in to any other administration. He has gone after them, and reeled them in. I think the harrisburg officianados are pretty pleased about what he is doing in Allentown.
DeleteI believe the chief is a good man in an inherited difficult/ corrupt situation that is not of his making. Our city government has been beset with self serving corruption for at the last two decades, why should we be surprised the APD is as well.
ReplyDelete8:59 - Then why is the chief attacking the whistleblowers instead of the corruption?
DeleteAlthough Matt has lived here for sometime he still thinks like an out of towner. He wants to impose Boulder Colorado woke vision of less cars,less parking, DEI hirings, promoting and financially supporting woke groups like promises neighborhoods that achieve and will never achieve anything concrete that will benefit the city. I would love to know exactly what achievements and progress Matt has brought to our city.
DeletePerhaps he wants to keep his job.
DeleteThe comment from anon 8:12 seems to exonerate the currentchief and mayor from the whistleblower suit. The comment anon 8:44 implies that they are directly involved in a coverup. I WILL NOT BE HOSTING ANY MORE COMMENTS ON EITHER INVOLVEMENT OR INNOCENCE. That is for the DA and defense attorneys. This post and subsequent comments is limited to the political ramifications of the allegations.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion is there will be little to no political ramifications. As an Allentown voter who voted for Nat Hyman I couldn't believe that the majority of voters decided to continue to back Pawlowski despite his 54 count indictment and the numerous stories of corruption noted on this blog and others. I've come to the conclusion after that election and succeeding ones that most voters are not paying attention to the facts or results but voting for whoever puts on the best clown show.
DeleteMy last comment since you often just allow about 3 anonymous posts. Food for thought.I am amazed that there has been no discussion about how Zucal took the reins to hire an exorbitantly priced investigator (300k) whose company was founded just shortly before, suggesting no info about the company. How is an fbi agent better at investigating discrimination than an Attorney specializing in that very issue? Not to mention, an fbi agent, possibly biased from his previous investigation of the city.
Deleteanon10:15: The only thing above question is former FBI agent Scott Curtis's qualifications.
DeleteOddly enough, the whistleblower, the chief, and the thief, were all once classmates
ReplyDelete10:15 - You realize that the FBI agent whose qualifications you are questioning is the same FBI agent that investigated the “pay-to-play” corruption in Allentown City that resulted in Ed Pawlowski going to prison, right?
ReplyDeleteAnd as a career FBI agent he would have investigated many crimes and charges, including discrimination. And since he had already investigated Pawlowski’s City Hall, he certainly had a familiarity with city bureaus and departments.
If my memory is correct, Mayor Tuerk was very supportive of being investigated when council first suggested it, claiming that he had nothing to hide. My suspicion is that he felt it would be the usual fluff investigation that involves hiring an attorney looking to make an easy buck who would issue a report that says nothing.
Tuerk’s support for the investigation seems to have quickly vanished once he saw that council was serious and who they were going to hire. Imagine that.
Right, an fbi agent dealing with many other issues, criminal issues,rather than a law firm that exclusively focuses on allegations of discrimination issues in the workplace. If my memory is correct, I also recall that there was a report that the allegations were investigated by adminstration hiring outside consult which is what led to the hr person being fired. Imagine that.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteA comment @2:41 stated that the lawsuit has been withdrawn...I can find no confirmation of that, what-so-ever. Unfortunately, local blogosphere comments continue to be compromised by a troll.
DeleteHi Mikey
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