FBI questions Allentown mayor, seizes contract documents

    Federal agents have searched Allentown City Hall, questioned the mayor and top manager and seized documents pertaining to bidding and contracts.

    City solicitor Susan Ellis Wild said FBI agents spent several hours Thursday executing a search warrant for a grand jury investigation.

    Wild said agents questioned three-term Mayor Ed Pawlowski and Managing Director Francis Dougherty and collected records dating as far back as 2005 from several offices.

    Wild said it appeared agents were interested in the city’s contract review process and bidding process.

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    Wild said search documents did not identify the subject of the investigation. She said no city officials or employees have been subpoenaed to testify or told they are a target of the probe.

    Wild says the city will issue a statement later Friday. The FBI declined comment.

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