Gilbert Says History Won't Impact Job

Northampton County Councilman Bruce Gilbert says he has no plans to back away from his appointment as the county's new director of finance.

On Monday afternoon, blogger and Patch columnist Bernie O'Hare wrote a piece arguing that Gilbert can manage his own personal finances."

Those discoveries included a series of financial judgements against Gilbert -- including one from the IRS -- as well as a bad check charge in 2003, which was withdrawn when Gilbert paid a penalty.

Less than three hours after O'Hare's column was posted, Gilbert called a news conference in which he announced his hopes to still take the job as finance director, and explained the marks on his financial history.

Before the conference began, Gilbert thanked O'Hare for a favorable weekend blog entry involving Gilbert's children, but said he had not seen O'Hare's column.

"I try not to pay attention to that stuff," he said.

Gilbert said he doesn't think his personal financial history should have any impact on how he'd do his job as a member of County Executive John Stoffa's administration.

Although Gilbert said his experience in the banking industry and personal integrity should count toward the job more, he took time Monday to explain each bit of information.

He said the credit card judgements were a result of he -- and later, he and his wife -- disputing interest rate hikes. 

"She said, 'No, we've got to have principles, we're going to fight this.'"

The IRS lien, he said, was the result of a business he owned moving out of the area. Another judgement, more than $12,000 from Ford in 2005, came about when he disputed a lease agreement with the car company; they said he returned the car with 11,000 extra miles on it, and Gilbert said that number was too high.

A settlement, he said, is being worked on, although he said he never officially appealed the case.

In the case of the bad check charge, Gilbert said his checkbook was stolen from his car.

"They never caught who it was," he said, but added later that he never reported the theft to police.

Gilbert, one of seven Republicans on the nine-member council, said this information has "intensified" the support he's gotten from his council members. 

"I've received numerous calls from people who say 'We know your character,'" Gilbert said.

He stopped short of saying he had the five votes he'd need for his nomination to be approved. Council's personnel committee is expected to discuss the appointment Wednesday, before it goes to the full council Thursday night.

Council President John Cusick said his support had wavered a bit after he learned of Gilbert's history, but felt that the councilman had adequately explained himself.

"I didn't see anything there that was fatal," Cusick said.

Cusick, a Republican, said he thinks members of the party will back Gilbert. He said the greater challenge will be finding a replacement with Gilbert's level of experience. 

Gilbert would replace i, who retired from the post in March.