ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Allentown is appealing a federal judge’s order to release a preliminary report on alleged racism and discrimination at Allentown City Hall.
The city filed an appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, according to court paperwork.
The 29-page “Curtis report” is the first look into what former FBI Agent Scott Curtis was allegedly told by Allentown city employees regarding claims of racism and discrimination at city hall.
Curtis was hired by city council in June of 2024. At the time, Mayor Matt Tuerk argued council didn’t follow proper procedure in hiring Curtis and declined to pay him.
In 2025, Curtis settled with the City of Allentown for $50,000, turning over all of his investigative materials. Curtis also signed a non-disclosure agreement.
A federal judge had ordered all of the investigative materials be released because they could potentially impact a claim of discrimination filed by Allentown Deputy Clerk Tawanna Whitehead.
Whitehead is not mentioned by name in the report.
Federal ruling forces Allentown to release records in City Hall discrimination inquiry
The preliminary report is an investigative tool and not a legal document.
The city hired another firm, Duane Morris, to investigate some of the same allegations detailed in the Curtis report. The judge ruled that report was subject to attorney-client privilege.