There's a Cloud Over Gilbert Appointment

When Northampton County Executive John Stoffa tapped affable Bruce Gilbert as his new Director of Finance earlier this month, confirmation seemed all but inevitable.

A Republican in a nine-member County Council dominated by seven Republicans, he's got the political support. He is also well qualified ... at least on paper. Chair of Council's Finance Committee, Gilbert has a banking background at Wachovia and teaches finance and business management at Muhlenberg College. 

He's also happens to be a likable guy with deep local roots as a captain of Easton's last state championship football team. His five children, all of them talented singers and musicians, have selflessly raised over $20,600 for local military families in need. 

But is Bruce Gilbert really qualified?

Recent discoveries make it unclear whether Gilbert can manage his own personal finances, to say nothing of a $300 million County operation. 

Money Judgments

Between 1994 and 2007, seven small money judgments have been filed against Gilbert. including a federal tax lien, judgments by credit card companies and even a small judgment filed by a credit union. 

1994-C-6492: Rebecca Smith v. Bruce & Gina Gilbert, filed 8/12/94, for $6,368.25.

1995-C-9654: NORCAR FCU v. Bruce Gilbert, filed 12/7/95, for $269.00.

2004-C-7518: Union Fuel Co. v. Bruce Gilbert & Jewel, filed 10/11/04, for $432.50. 

1988-C-5087, First Card Srvcs v. Bruce A Gilbert, filed 7/11/88, for $2,072.81. 

2002-FT-3953: IRS v Bruce & Gina Gilbert, filed 5/24/02, for $9,895.57. 

2005-C-4310: Ford Motor Co. v. Bruce A & Gina M Gilbert, filed 12/12/05, for $12,360.30.

2007-C-3483, Capital One Bank v. Gina M & Bruce A Gilbert, filed 9/4/07 for $3,097.33.

Explaining these judgments, Gilbert tells me he never possessed a credit card and that those debts were actually incurred by his wife. That's funny, because one of the credit card judgments is against him only. Gilbert still disputes the 2005 judgment by Ford, but there's no appeal. 

Passing Bad Checks

In addition to all of those judgments, magistrate docket sheets reveal that Gilbert was charged with passing bad checks at Redner's Markets in 2003. Charges were withdrawn when Gilbert paid a penalty. 

Failure to Pay EIT

In addition to the bad checks charge, Gilbert was charged and pleaded guilty, in 2001, to failure to pay his earned income taxes. 

Gilbert owns no real estate

Perhaps because of all these difficulties, Gilbert has owned no real estate in Northampton County since 1994. His residence is owned by his grandfather.

Nearly every one of us has weathered financial storms. But only a few of us are ever asked to manage a $300 million budget. With his history of judgments, passing bad checks and failure to pay taxes, should Gilbert be in control of county coffers? Is this the best we can do?

According to Executive John Stoffa, yes. He reminds me that the words "mercy" and "justice" are part of the County seal, and said everyone is entitled to a second chance.

As a recovering alcoholic myself, I understand what Stoffa is saying. But that does not mean I should become a wine taster. 

Some Republican Council members tell me that, although they do not like what they see, they still plan on voting for Gilbert. It's a matter of loyalty.

What about their loyalty to the taxpayer? Let's face it. Under any other circumstance, a person with this history would never be confirmed. The fact that Gilbert is a nice guy or a fellow Republican is no excuse for cronyism and bad government. And that's what his appointment means. 

Gilbert's confirmation goes to council's Personnel Committee on Wednesday, and council will vote it up or down on Thursday.