ALLENTOWN, Pa. — It’s the day former Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski has been waiting for.
After nearly seven and half years in federal prison, Pawlowski is now one step closer to freedom.
At 8 a.m. Thursday, Ed Pawlowski walked out of the Otisville Federal Prison and was transported to a nearby bus station. His destination: a halfway house in Philly.
On March 1, 2018, Pawlowski was convicted on 47 federal charges, including bribery, wire and mail fraud, and conspiracy.
Ed Pawlowski — Timeline: Indictment to Conviction (Investigation & Trial Coverage)
Throughout the trial and his confinement, Pawlowski has maintained his innocence, even though some argued had he admitted to the charges he would have gotten less time.
But in October 2024 Pawlowski wrote a letter of contrition to the community apologizing and asking for forgiveness.
While he has been released from prison, he can’t return to Allentown from the halfway house until he has a job.
His close friends have rallied around him and say they expect that will happen soon.
They say several promising employment opportunities have materialized for the man who ran the state’s third largest city for 12 years.
69 News Reporter Jaccii Farris has been communicating with Pawlowski ever since he started serving his time, a time period in which he has led GED classes, done Bible study, and trained service dogs.
He now says he just wants to give back to his community.