ALLENTOWN, Pa. — He earned the nickname “Fed Ed” after he was charged and convicted of federal corruption.

Now, former Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski is out of prison and in a Philadelphia halfway house.

69 News reporter Jaccii Farris has been following Pawlowski’s incarceration and release.

Coverage about the investigation, indictment, trial and conviction of former Allentown Mayor…

March 2018, Pawlowski is convicted of 47 federal corruption charges related to a pay to play scheme. Pawlowski resigned and started serving his 15-year sentence shortly afterward.

Farris drove to Maryland to visit Pawlowski in July of 2023 after he had served four and a half years.

Farris was allowed to take in a note pad and pen to take notes for their interview.

Pawlowski maintained his innocence, but made the most of his time behind bars.

He taught GED and history classes, lead bible study and trained service dogs.

In 2025, Pawlowski was transferred to the Otisville, New York, correctional facility.

The day before he was released, Pawlowski sent Farris a message through the prison email system talking about what’s next for him, saying:

“Now that this chapter of my life is coming to a close, I’m excited for a new chapter to begin.”

That chapter starts at a halfway house in Philly, where he will have to get approved passes to leave for work, church, the grocery store and or medical appointments.

Pawlowski won’t be able to return to Allentown and his family until he gets a job here.

His friends have supported him throughout his incarceration and are helping in the job search.

Pawlowski remembering them in his comments, saying:

“I appreciate the overwhelming support I have received from my friends and the community. I want to thank everyone who encouraged and supported me.”

He goes on to say:

“I look forward to returning to the city I love and proudly served for so many years. Soon I will be back with family. The future looks bright and I hope to accomplish great things.”

Those close to Pawlowski say there are some promising job opportunities that will utilize his skills and experience leading Pennsylvania’s 3rd largest city for 12 years.

But the Pawlowski, potential employers will see is a much humbler version of the former mayor, a man who has relied on his faith to get through the last seven plus years.

Pawlowski, telling me about the future, saying, “With God’s help, the best is yet to come.”