An ex-political consultant in Pennsylvania pleaded guilty to extortion charges following FBI's investigation of an alleged extortion scheme on campaign donations. The said official was the fourth to acknowledge his role on the controversial political corruption probe.
Mike Fleck, 40-years old pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit extortion and income tax evasion in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia on Thursday, according to Reuters. Fleck, who was involved on a year-long FBI corruption probe of Reading and Allentown, is faces up to 10 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled on July 25.
His clients involve Allentown and Reading elected officials such as its mayor. According to prosecutors, Fleck played a role on arranging campaign donations worth tens of thousands of dollars for his clients, in exchange for city business, with the use of extortion, bribery and fraudulent scheme.
The Philly.com reported, his plea came after he abruptly shut down his firm and moved out of his home in Allentown when a leaked came that he lallowed FBI agents to wiretapped in order to catch his clients involved in the act of the said scheme.
Though prosecutor had not named implicated officials, the court documents fit the descriptions of Pawlowski and then-Reading Mayor Vaughn D. Spencer, whom were both Democrats. The cited officials denied the allegations and have neither charge.
Four entered a guilty plea over the misconduct which also include the former elected controller of Allentown, according to Centre Daily. He left Allentown days before FBI came to sought documents connected to him in Reading City Hall. However, in defense, he said he has worked in automotive sales.
An Allentown developer and three city officials, including the city's elected controller, Mary Ellen Koval - have pleaded guilty to charges tied to the contracts-for-contributions scheme. Allentown is the third largest city in Pennsylvania, with around, 120,000 residents, while Reading city ranks fifth with around 90,000 residents.
