Allentown City Council traded a former FBI agent familiar with the city (He investigated the Pawlowski administration), for an international law firm, with offices in United States, United Kingdom and Asia. While we must still pay the former investigator, Scott Curtis, the time clock will soon start ticking with Duane Morris law firm, at over $1200 an hour.
Taxpayers can thank Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Candida Affa and Santo Napoli for treating our taxes like money is no object. The $64K dollar question, or I should say the $640K question, is what was Matt Tuerk afraid of Scott Curtis disclosing?
The original purpose of examining city hall had to do with discrimination. With the obstacles placed in the way of the Curtis investigation by Tuerk, I think a second investigation of Tuerk's motives would not be inappropriate.
Scott Curtis is the epitome of a seasoned, experienced, professional investigative mind. Curtis began his work with a wealth of background information on the inner workings of all things Allentown. He is, arguably, the best person in the world to carry out an investigation of the sort required in this particular place at this point in time. It’s easy to see why Mota, Hendricks, Affa, Napoli and Tuerk feel the need to fire Scott Cutis and terminate his investigation. Curtis is frighteningly talented and extraordinarily professional.
ReplyDeleteClearly he represents a threat to any and all involved in the rot that swirls around the once Queen City. My sense is that few observers can comprehend the damage to truth and ultimately justice that furloughing Scott Curtis represents.
Most certainly the above mentioned group of politicians completely understand. Curtis must go, he is simply too competent, too professional, too thorough and too frightening to continue to retain.
Allentown can’t seem to stop making knee-jerk, stupid, and wasteful decisions. I avoid that place as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteNothing knee-jerk or stupid about firing Scott Curtis, It was a cold, calculated move, rooted in primal political survival instincts.
DeleteWTF were the powers that be thinking when they agreed to hire former FBI Special Agent Curtis? He represents a tremendous threat to the entrenched rot.
ReplyDeleteObviously he had to go.
I am not at all surprised by the clown show on Wednesday. We heard the council admit the selection of the most qualified attorney was left to their solicitor. Yet, according to the Morning Call, she received campaign donations from the selected law firm. Isn’t that the kind of stuff we have a mayor in jail for? It also seemed the same process may have been violated and confidential information was discussed during the bid process. Affa’s protecting herself with the vote. Her actions show who she really is. Mota, Hendricks, and Napoli are lap dogs of the failure of a mayor.
ReplyDelete6:33 - I am confused by your comment. You say the solicitor made the choice and “she received campaign donations from the selected law firm.”
DeleteWho is the solicitor and what did she run for? The solicitor is not an elected position requiring campaign contributions.
This decision is stupid on so many levels.
DeleteObviously, the taxpayers will once again be paying for Council’s ineptitude and the mayor’s incompetence.
Beyond that, is it really a good idea to stop a former FBI agent from an investigation that you hired him to start? I think not, and wouldn’t be surprised if the appropriate agencies got a few anonymous tips pointing them in the right direction.
Absolutely nothing “stupid” about it.
DeleteScott Curtis was the answer, and nobody involved wanted answers.
Cutis was a stone threat.
It’s beyond ineptitude and incompetence. This process is grounded in fear and guilt. It’s been articulated in other comments, Scott Curtis must be terminated!Curtis, his intelligence, commitment to the mission, and unimpeachable nature, make him a clear and present danger. Hendricks, Moto, Affa Turek
DeleteEt Al are sleazy corrupt hack individuals. The depth of the rot MUST NOT BE UNCOVERED!
anon@10:17: As you said, this has been articulated in other comments. Consequently, future comments with this POV will not appear.
DeleteThe solicitor ran for Congress and failed. https://mariamontero.org/
ReplyDeleteFollow the friendships and money in Allentown. #TataTuerk2025
Please note that Maria Montero is the solicitor for City Council, not the city administration. Ms. Montero recommended Duane Morris law firm
DeleteMeanwhile, I hope everyone is following the expose on the APD on WFMZ.
ReplyDeleteTuerk and Rocca need to go, and this could explain the vote of of particular council member.
I watched the council meeting in its entirety. For those replying to this post, if you haven't watched it, you should before reacting to Mr M commentary.
ReplyDeleteYor might be put off by the hyperbole CeCe spewed for 15 minutes and then wrap your head around her and ed suggesting bag it and start yet another path into finding a solicitor. Lol, great way to spend more money.
Using pronouns is often confusing. The solicitor that mm is referring to, is the solicitor that the council has to represent their affairs.they themselves hired her. Ms montero. They might give thought to accepting the direction she offers.
That being said, she, Ms montero, worked with the attorney, that to remind your audience, council also hired, ms brown. Therefore the 2 solicitors, both hires of council offered the path that should have happened in the first place.napoli understood it from the beginning of his involvement and he was the one who voted against the Curtis hire continuatiin. candida sorted through it as well and it made sense to her.
Council is bullied by cece attempts to show off her intelligence (which is diminished by her inability to juggle anything beside one track) and Ed's obstinacy.
You don't pick based on what it costs. You pick based on what you need. The 2 COUNCIL solicitors, far better versed than any council member or the speaker who suggested the community pick the attorney, chose because they know better. When I go to my doctor and I need the services of a specialist, I trust the doctor I value to provide me with a name. That is how PROFESSIONALS do things. Cece doesn't get how the professional world does business. And ed expects things to cost like it's still 1999.
Both cece and ed fixated on and exaggerated the cost.Ed will campaign for Mayor on his one pony show about what things cost. You get what you pay for.
In keeping with that thought, as Napoli and candida astutely voiced, an investigator can not review personnel records. Personnel records include complaints, write ups and disciplinary action.that is the substance of the complaints. again, how business works.
So Curtis could not have access to the kind of records needed to document a complaint. His "investigagtion" soundsd like a "he said, she said." Totally valueless.
Taxpayers need to be informed that Zucal charted this crooked course. He lacked the insight to figure out the nuances of how to best proceed and instead of waiting for guidance, truly that would have been offered from their solicitor, (lol,BTW, that guy quit which is how montero got hired).
Sounds to me like the duane morris agency is supremely qualified to do exactly what is needed to get the ship on course. Cece complained they werent the best fit because she didnt like the outcome of an investgation they completed in a school district that concluded the district lgb+ policies were robust.Hendricks acknowledged they have the expertise and focusing on making sure policies and procedures are appropriately defined and implemented is what is needed. Although mota did not add to discussion, Napoli, affa and Hendricks collectively had the smarts to support moving in the right direction. And a reminder, if you have listened to council meeting and observed, the city has the competency and talents of a controller and a finance department to look over the billing and keep an eye on the expenditure.
On a related note, I also watched the meeting of establishing advisory committee on Latin and African american affairs. I would think waiting for the results of your investigation and determine if that is what is best fit makes sense.
Duane Morris will not have anymore access to confidential personnel info than the Curtis agency. Your comment would be more effective if shorter and signed.
DeleteLol, sometimes things got to be spelled out. It was a 2 cuppa post.
DeleteOne more comment from my viewing of the meeting. Zucal said 100 plus investigations were conducted. Were those voluntary or requested? From my armchair study of psychology, selfselection bias often results from volunteers. Thus, people with an agenda or axe to grind or more likely to volunteer. I suspect that the attorneys will lay out a defendable plan to proceed.
And secondly, it was mentioned that 30 plus calls were made from Curtis to council members? Were these calls made to only specific members or were all members privy to content? And really, why was he calling? That's the stuff that smells like 3 day old fish.
Napoli requested that communication between council and agency, and administration and agency cease. He recommended that as needed communication be between the respective solicitors for council and administration. Sounds like a great way to keep things above board.
anon@10:54: It appears as if Tuerk has no better friend on Council than Napoli, and Napoli as no better friend than you. The tragedy of the situation is that the whole affair started because some employees of color felt discrimination in city hall. Although we will spend probably close to $mil with the new firm, I doubt that those employees will have faith in the conclusion.
DeleteRegardless, I don't see how Tuerk's support of Roca, and the issues in the APD can't come back to anywhere but Tuerk's lap. Consequently, Napoli seems to be squandering his opportunity for credibility.
I now hosted the second part of your premise, no mas.
The solicitors who are employed by Council will always, but always, make recommendations and proffer advice that will advance Councils agenda, which may or may not not align with the Mayors.
DeleteThe Mayor’s Solicitor will always advance policies, positions and judgments that will in large part or in toto that supports their boss, the Mayors position.
This is the immutable way of the world.
I know you aren't going to publish this but gonna say it anyway. Just bc someone thinks they are being discriminated against, does not mean they are. I am not a friend of Napoli but he is the only one on council able to see a big picture. You think the mayor is the problem but you ought to look more critically at what each council member has offered.
DeleteAnd your last jab about tuerk and Roca doesn't play onto this conversation. Appreciate a chief who has kept the community on an even keel and has made a commitment to his community. And remember, the police allegations surfaced from past doings. Long before either tuerk or Roca were around. When you neglect to mention that, you are irresponsible in your journalism.
anon@5:59: You may want to watch the 15min. expose on WFMZ. The allegations occurred on Roca's watch on vice, and the whistleblowers first approached Roca,then as chief, before filing the case. That is not to say that Roca didn't react properly, that's above my pay grade, but Roca was around. He's been on the force about 20 years. This was your last distortion at the apple... troll somewhere else.
DeleteA different point of view does not make a troll.i have not made fun of, disrespected anyone or harassed. I offered specific points. As i will offer, if the Previous D.A put to rest innuendo, then it would have been a closed book. The new D.A. is the variable, not the chief.
DeleteIt's simple, The four horseman voted out Curtis because they ARE AFRAID. They all thought he was amazing when they all voted for him then a lawsuit naming 3 of them comes out and suddenly Scott is bad. I'm sorry council is a joke. You are going to cost the tax payers $100s of thousands and get little data back from this firm. NO ONE is going to talk this overpriced attorney. I feel people confided in Mr. Curtis. Congrats Tuerk Pawlowski you have successfully covered up investigations in city hall. Wait wait only until the FBI comes in.
ReplyDelete🕵🏿THIS WHOLE DAMN SCANDAL BEGS FOR AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION 🕵🏼
ReplyDeleteHas anyone else but me noticed that Napoli has been the only one fighting to get rid of Curtis since 6 of 7 Council members hired him. Anon: 9:45 is spot on. The taxpayers should chip in and have Curtis investigate Council. Oops, isn't that what was about to happen. Silly me.
ReplyDeleteWe don't need to chip in! This isn’t Go Fund Me for justice!!
DeleteTHEY are using OUR tax dollars. Voters have the power in this city/country. Call the Mayor, Council, and cabinet officials, remind them that THEY work for US and demand that they use our dollars to hire Curtis and cease with Morris If that doesn’t work, use your vote to get them out of office. The Mayor and council are nothing without the people. They serves us. Take our city back and demand they make a change or they are gone!!
Keep calling until they hear us loud and clear.
From allentownpa.gov
Mayor is 610.437.7546
City council can be reached at 610.437.7556
I am 47 years old hispanic born and raised here. Tuerk you are not Hispanic and you are not our Mayor. Mota you are a disgrace to our community right now. You try an display this I believe in doing the right thing then you vote like that. Shame on you.
ReplyDeleteI saw a recent post by Mota that was entirely in Spanish. It is one thing to be proud of her Dominican heritage, but she was elected to Allentown City Council, not Santo Domingo. Ironically, she's doing no one a favor. She only prospered in Allentown because she speaks English.
DeleteThis is all the mayor playing his political game, Affa, Mota and Hendricks maki no sure their ass is clean. Oh, that’s right Napoli Tuerk’s puppet. He has no interest in the community at all. Mota please don’t come to Juneteenth this year with a dashiki on. Sell outs like you are not welcomed.
ReplyDeleteWherever you see Tuerk, you see Napoli, Mota, and Hendricks. I rest my case!
ReplyDeleteWhat a bunch of absolute nonsense. What a waste of time and energy. This city needs some real leadership from the mayor and council.
ReplyDeleteThe one question that no one is answering is “ if mayor and council have nothing to hide and welcome it with open arms” , then it shouldn’t matter who does investigation. If it’s confidentiality there worried about , have Curtis sign agreement I’m sure that’s just excuse to get him away from this. My opinion is no one will know the answers that everyone is seeking. Be sure to thank all the mayors yes people when you see them !!!
ReplyDeleteI think 69 News should do a separate corruption investigation on Council and the Mayor. Make them take polygraphs.
ReplyDeletePlease, PBS values cooking programs more than local investigative journalism.
DeleteThis is a city government in free fall and every week it looks less and less capable of self-correction . Allentown is on the verge of receivership,?but the Dem State “leadership” certainly won’t pull the trigger. Not too many years ago the DOJ would be sent to do at least a cursory investigation of police departments. It has happened in York and Erie. It’s worth remembering that Allentown is the third largest municipality in the Commonwealth. It’s on a trajectory to become Camden on the Lehigh. The rest of the Valley should be very concerned, indeed quietly freaking out, an outgoing tide lowers all boats.
ReplyDeleteOne City Council member has been quoted as saying, “we made a mistake hiring Curtis.” It’s pretty clear that they understand that now.
ReplyDeleteThe public must insist that the Curtis investigation is released, unredacted save for sensitive personal issues.
anon@6:35: You would have a problem doing that. To speak at city council you must state your name.
DeleteI wrote the comment at 6:35 P.M.
DeleteI don’t anticipate ever returning to Allentown, but I have certainly payed significant and considerable dues there. So I feel vested and I will reach out to Council recommending that Curtis’s report be released.
I don’t believe anyone on Council, and certainly the mayor, gives a tinkers damn about my input.
I’m overdue in sending retired Special Agent Curtis a note thanking him for his invaluable service to the citizens of Allentown, past and present.
mj adams
Unredacted my butt... anything of use or substance has been and always will be "redacted"!!! (That's a term for secret in case you didn't know...) Now you know why they charge so much (per page) for something we bought and paid for via our taxes... including the printers, the ink, the computers, the building housing the same and the drones that run the printers... we need to pay for all the black ink... they must buy it by the train tanker load!!!! So sad that the government that we finance, that supposedly 'works' for us, is so absorbed in secrecy!!! It makes me wonder what they're hiding and who they're protecting...!!!???
DeleteAt the expense of stating the obvious, a Black and a separate Latino Advisory Council will only complicate existing divisiveness and enhance potential current political instability.
ReplyDeleteThe City needs to clean house starting with the Mayor all the employees are discriminated against does not matter what color you are .
ReplyDeleteYes. The quote came fron Napoli. Again. Please, please, please get the report released!!! I will guarantee you they will kick and scream to keep that report silent.
ReplyDeleteThe circle of stupidity continues and grows tighter and swifter as city government circles the drain. Wake me up when it's over.
ReplyDeleteThe Pawlowski circle of crime continues after never being completely eradicated following his convictions. The degree of rot shows the continuing effects and enduring damage he did to the culture of Allentown's government turning public service into self service. Ultimately, it is up to the Democrat party to cleanse the rot. They control the votes and they put the leadership in office. The City will rise of fall on the Democrat party's decisions, Allentown is in their hands, so the City is a reflection of the Democrat party. They will choose to either take on the responsibility to reform government or they can go on leading the decayed municipality.
ReplyDelete