Suit: Ex-mayor OK'd dubious loan

Former Easton Mayor Phil Mitman knew that a local development team had lied on a city loan application when he ordered a nonprofit agency with close ties to the city to release the money, a former city employee says in a lawsuit.

The new and more specific details were part of an amended complaint filed in Northampton County Court by former city Planning Director Barbara Kowitz, who claims Mitman fired her after she raised concerns about the legality of the loan process.

When asked Friday about the allegations, Mitman, executive director of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. since his mayoral term expired in January, said, ''I don't know anything about that. You need to call my lawyer. I can't talk about this.A It's ongoing litigation.'' Read more