Philly lobbyist charged with theft, conspiracy

The Pennsylvania attorney general’s office has charged a politically connected Philadelphia lobbyist with theft and conspiracy in connection with a nonprofit she headed.

Melonease Shaw has a lot of friends in Philadelphia politics and has represented the city as a Harrisburg lobbyist in the past.

The charges against her stem from her management of Transitional Work Corporation, a nonprofit she headed that was supposed to help people getting state assistance with employment skills.

“The investigation showed that Ms. Shaw, who was in charge of the corporation’s finances, personally benefited or misused over $250,000,” said Jeff Johnson, a spokesman for the attorney general’s office.

According to an affidavit prepared by prosecutors, Shaw used the funds for food, flowers, restaurant tabs, a health club membership, and discount rent to a private consulting business that she ran from the office of the nonprofit.

Mayor Jim Kenney’s office said the city has decided to rebid a new Harrisburg lobbying contract Shaw and a partnering law firm had applied for.

Shaw’s attorney, Kandis Kovalsky, didn’t return calls seeking comment.