Hon. Ron Buxton, Chair Hon. Kate Harper, Chair Pennsylvania State HouseEthics CommitteeRoom 528 MCPennsylvania State CapitolHarrisburg, PA 17102October 10, 2008Dear Representatives Buxton and Harper:I am writing for clarification on the relationship between Rep. Nicholas Micozzie and theHistoric Lansdowne Theater Corporation (HLTC) and the Partnership for Communityand Economic Development (PCED). I believe that there is evidence to suggest that Rep.Micozzie has arranged for public money to be placed in the hands of his politicalsupporters and to be used at his direction. If true, such an action would be in directviolation of the nonprofit clause in House Rule 14 as stated here:A member shall not create, maintain or cause to be created or maintained alegislative nonprofit organization. A "legislative nonprofit organization" means anonprofit corporation or other entity whose primary purpose is to receive fundsunder the General Appropriation Act or another appropriations act at thediscretion or by reason of the influence of a member for the use at the direction or discretion of the member.After reading an article published in

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on July 26, 2008 (see enclosed)regarding a non-profit group—apparently established by Rep. Micozzie and comprisedentirely of contributors to his campaign in Clifton Heights—that would receive over $800,000 in grant money from the state, I began investigating online and in mycommunity to see how other state funds that were awarded to our area had been used.I found that in 2004 Rep. Micozzie helped get $1.5 million in grant money to completethree projects in Lansdowne. He arranged for the money to be given to a joint venture of the Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) and the Greater LansdowneCivic Association (GLCA) named the PCED. The money was intended for the followinguses:1)

$200,000 to acquire & improve open space for a gateway park;2)

$400,000 to renovate the historic 20

Century Club;3)

$900,000 to entice a developer to buy & renovate the historic Lansdowne Theater.I have been told that Rep. Micozzie has attended most (if not all) of PCED meetings andmaintained an apparent veto power over the grant fund use. I believe that awarding grantfunds and then participating in day-to-day management of the organization receiving themoney would be a violation of House Rule 14.

Since the Lansdowne Theater project failed to attract a developer after approximately twoyears, the money was scheduled to be returned to the state. I have been told that as aresult of this Rep. Micozzie caused the HLTC to be created in November 2006.Five of the six members of the HLTC board are direct contributors to Rep. Micozzie’scampaign efforts.Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation Board:

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Bob Jara: Contributor to Friends of Nick Micozzie

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Bill Brown: Contributor to Friends of Nick Micozzie

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Terry Ponton: Contributor to Friends of Nick Micozzie

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Matt Shultz: Contributor to Friends of Nick Micozzie

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John Carpenter: Contributor to Friends of Nick Micozzie

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Adrian Fine: No Contributions FoundRep. Micozzie appears to be very active with the HLTC. He attends meetings, holds pressconferences and publicizes his involvement on his legislative web site and campaignmaterial. This behavior seems to mirror his actions with respect to the Clifton HeightsBorough and would seem to constitute a pattern of violating the state’s ethics rules. Atminimum, it certainly gives the appearance of impropriety and smacks of a “pay-to-play”climate in our district.I strongly urge you to investigate the circumstances surrounding the creation and fundingof the HTLC and the PCED.Sincerely,Michael W. Cecicc: Hon. Nicholas MicozzieMr. Kevin LeeMr. Alex Rose,

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Ms. Phyllis Edwards,

News of Delaware County

Enclosure:

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article