Michael Fleck, Extortion and Bribery, Pennsylvania 2016

Grimy Times Exclusive: Politician Bribes Officials for Campaign Cash

Grimy Times has uncovered a shocking case of public corruption in Pennsylvania, where a prominent politician has pleaded guilty to bribery and extortion charges.

Michael Fleck, 40, a former member of Easton's City Council, admitted to conspiring to commit extortion and bribery offenses, as well as tax evasion, in a guilty plea entered on July 25, 2016. Fleck's sentencing hearing is scheduled for the same date.

According to court documents, Fleck was a principal and co-owner of an Allentown-based consulting company that conducted fundraising and lobbying services for elected officials in Pennsylvania. He helped facilitate quid pro quo solicitations, offers, and agreements between public officials and donors, obtaining tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions through extortion, bribery, and/or fraud.

In Allentown, Fleck manipulated a contract award process to the advantage of The Partnership, a group of donors who made large campaign contributions to Public Official #3. He worked with Finance Director Gary Strathearn and Assistant City Solicitor Dale Wiles to sabotage the award process, ensuring that The Partnership prevailed over its competitors.

The scheme also involved City Controller Mary Ellen Koval, who attempted to steer Allentown city contracts to donors of Public Official #3, including Donor #1. In Reading, Fleck and Public Official #1 obtained campaign contributions from companies that relied heavily on government contracts in exchange for steering city contracts to them.

Fleck's guilty plea marks a significant victory for law enforcement in their efforts to tackle public corruption in Pennsylvania. As Grimy Times continues to investigate this case, we will provide updates on the sentencing hearing and any further developments.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant: Michael Fleck. Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to commit extortion and bribery offenses, tax evasion. City and State: Allentown, Pennsylvania. Date: July 25, 2016. Sentence: Pending sentencing hearing. Dollar Amounts: Tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/political-consultant-and-former-easton-city-councilman-admits-bribing-allentown-and