Posted on 08/19/2010 7:00:23 AM PDT by Born Conservative
The South Philadelphia office of a state representative who received campaign contributions from two principals of the company providing river sediment to a Hazleton mine reclamation project was raided Wednesday by the FBI and IRS.
Federal agents descended on state Rep. William F. Keller’s office Wednesday morning, according to The Associated Press.
FBI spokesman J.J. Klaver and IRS spokeswoman Shauna M. Frye confirmed their agencies visited the property but declined to comment on the nature of the probe. They were accompanied by uniformed Philadelphia police.
Keller, who represents the 184th district, was elected to the state House in 1993. The 59-year-old legislator is chairman of the Committee on Committees and Commerce Committee and vice chairman of appropriations, according to his official website. He also serves on the gaming oversight, labor relations and urban affairs committees.
The district that Keller serves is home to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fort Mifflin Distribution Center, where sediment is stored after being removed from the river and then taken for transport to Hazleton and to the Port of Philadelphia.
On April 13, agents with several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Army’s Criminal Investigation Organization and the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, conducted a search at Fort Mifflin Reclamation Associates in Kingston. They removed boxes marked “Fort Mifflin.”
That company’s president is William F. Rinaldi and Marvin L. Slomowitz is secretary, according to state records. Slomowitz also is president and treasurer of Hazleton Creek Properties, owner of the 277-acre site where the dredged material is being used as fill.
Slomowitz gave $5,000 to Keller’s committee on March 25, 2008. Rinaldi sent Keller’s campaign $2,000 on March 14, 2007. On March 26, 2008, Keller’s campaign received $2,000 from Barry Bowen, whose Bowen Enterprises of Dunmore was the original low bidder for the river dredging contract in 2006. He withdrew his $19 million bid, and the contract then was awarded to Fort Mifflin Reclamation Associates for $21 million.
Bowen also served as site manager for Hazleton Creek Properties, and his involvement in the companies led to a person contacting federal authorities to request an investigation into possible collusion, according to a source who requested anonymity. None of the three have been accused of any wrongdoing.
A message left with Frank Keel, spokesman for Fort Mifflin Reclamation Associates, was not immediately returned.
Ping
ping
There seems to be something missing in this story. Hmmm whatever can it be?
I just looked him up. Figures - he’s a democrat.
Why am I not surprised that they left out that particular piece of information?
Well, they did say that he’s a corrupt state representative from South Philly, so no one could have read the story and be under the impression that he was anything other than a Democrat.
I guess they figure that mentioning the D is like saying “dog bites man”.
Strongly suspect this investigation is going to involve both parties before it’s done.
I strongly suspect not — at least not in any reasonably proportional way.
I just hope that the Mayor of Hazleton is not involved in any way . . . .
Gaming oversight too . . . interesting. Gaming has been expanding a lot under Gov. Rendell.
Thet should write:
Congressman Tim Holden (D-Pottstown)
Congressman Joseph Pitts (R-Kennet Square)
State Representative William F. Keller (Duh!-South Philadelphia)
I would be very surprised if he were, but of course there may be an effort to smear Barletta in advance of his November Congressional bid.
It was probably Lou who dropped the dime.
Great point.
Could well be . . .
Don’t know about you but I live in the 11th dist.
13th - “represented” by the incomparable Allyson Schwartz.
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