Reading City Council President Francisco Acosta plead guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery today.
He was the first of perhaps many officials to be felled by the FBI investigation.
This whole saga began when the bureau raided the offices of Allentown City Hall on July 2nd and then followed up in Reading eight days later.
The connection between both cases is political consultant Mike Fleck.
Acosta was propositioned by “Public Official #1” to vote in favor of repealing part of a campaign finance statute. He received a $1,800 loan as part of the deal.
According to Emily Opilo of the Morning Call, judging by court documents “Public Official #1” could only be Reading Mayor Vaughn Spencer.
Initially, Acosta lied to the FBI about the money but eventually came clean and sat out the vote (the repeal effort was defeated).
He now faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
“The FBI will continue to aggressively investigate allegations of public corruption, and work with our partners to ensure that those who violate their obligation to the public are held accountable,” stated special agent William F. Sweeney.
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3 Responses
Very little money to ruin your career and possibly go to jail for. What else is involved? I love Reading because just when you think things are different from the good old days of Reading politics, they really are not. What were you thinking Francis?
Another anti-gun, CeaseFire PA supported politician who is corrupt and was absent when told they must be responsible to the law. Seems that those who disregard the Constitution hold our laws in general with disdain!
This should make it interesting for the Mayor’s race, especially after the raiding of Spencer’s office and the fact that “Public Official 1” has to be Spencer. As much as Wally Scott tries to sell himself as different and not Spencer, he came up through the very same political machine and has his own history of corruption as a judge. The question is: will people even care in Reading or are they too used to being fed BS to notice it anymore?