Former Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski served as the city's mayor from 2006 until his resignation in March 2018. In October 2018, he was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after being convicted on 47 charges—including bribery, fraud, and conspiracy—stemming from a pay-to-play scheme where city contracts were traded for campaign donations. Pawlowski was released from federal prison in mid-2026 and has since returned to Allentown.The Rise of Ed PawlowskiEd Pawlowski was elected mayor of Allentown in 2005, taking office in 2006. During his first two terms, he was highly credited with revitalizing the city, steering the "Queen City" out of decline by spurring economic development, bringing in new businesses, and attracting investment to downtown Allentown. He won reelection in 2009 and 2013, remaining highly popular as he also launched unsuccessful runs for higher office, including bids for governor and the U.S. Senate.The FBI Investigation and IndictmentPawlowski's political career derailed when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided Allentown City Hall and his home in July 2015 as part of a sweeping probe into the city's contracting practices. Investigators discovered that Pawlowski and his political aides had orchestrated a pay-to-play scheme. City vendors, contractors, and law firms were pressured and bribed into contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to his campaigns in exchange for lucrative municipal contracts. Despite the ongoing FBI investigation, Pawlowski managed to win a fourth term as mayor in 2017. However, he was indicted by a federal grand jury shortly after in July 2017.Conviction, Sentence, and PrisonIn March 2018, a federal jury found Pawlowski guilty on 47 of 54 federal corruption counts, including conspiracy, honest services wire fraud, and bribery. He resigned from his mayoral post shortly after the verdict. In October 2018, U.S. District Judge Juan A. Sánchez sentenced Pawlowski to 15 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He spent roughly seven years behind bars, teaching classes to fellow inmates and training service dogs during his incarceration.Release and Return to AllentownAfter serving approximately half of his sentence, Pawlowski was released from federal custody in June 2026. He initially served a short stint at a halfway house in Philadelphia before being approved to return home to Allentown. Upon his return, he announced his presence in the city, making public statements thanking supporters and expressing excitement about his future.11 sitesEd Pawlowski - WikipediaIn 2013, the Federal Bureau of Investigation began "interception of electronic and wire communications" in Allentown City Hall. On...WikipediaFormer Allentown Mayor Sentenced in Pay-to-Play Scheme | United States Department of JusticeOct 23, 2018 — Edwin Pawlowski, the former mayor of Allentown, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 180 months in prison and three years of supervised ...Department of Justice (.gov)Allentown Mayor Charged in Pay to Play Scheme | United States Department of JusticeJul 26, 2017 — The indictment alleges that Pawlowski: * Accepted over $150,000 in campaign contributions in exchange for his official position * ...Department of Justice (.gov) This is the type of corruption I'm talking about. he was re-elected despite being under investigation by the FBI.
