Font Size

KDKA Investigators

Influence Peddling Allegations Hit Mayoral Race

Reporting
Andy Sheehan

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: Independent candidate Kevin Acklin is challenging Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.
KDKA

Close

numSlides of totalImages

Allegations of influence peddling in the Ravenstahl administration have hit the race for Pittsburgh's mayor.

Pittsburgh mayoral candidate Kevin Acklin says a developer close to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is shaping policy and getting special consideration on development deals.

Acklin says that he has the e-mails to prove it.

John Verbanac is a political consultant/developer who Mayor Ravenstahl describes as a friend. But, candidate Acklin says the e-mails tell a far deeper story of influence and favors.

The flap started last week during KDKA's Mayoral Debate with a question posed by candidate Acklin to Mayor Ravenstahl.

Acklin: "Who are John Verbanac and Ed Gratten and what role do they play in your administration?"

Ravenstahl: "John Verbanac and Ed Gratten are friends of mine and they play no formal role in my administration.

But on Wednesday, Acklin released a sheaf of e-mails from Verbanac to Ravenstahl and his staff which run the gamut from writing speeches, to crafting policy, to advising on the firing of one department head to the retention of another at the Urban Redevelopment Authority with political connections: "I recognize he's less than an exemplary performer; however … he is a friend."

"Does this sound like someone who has no formal role in his administration?" said Acklin today. "It sounds to me like someone who is running his administration."

The mayor today stood by his statements: "He [Verbanac] is a friend. He is an advisor."

But Acklin's accusations went further, saying that Verbanac used his influence for special treatment on development deals.

One e-mail involved Verbanac's interest in the redeveloping of the LTV Steel site in Hazelwood.

He writes in anger to Ravenstahl's chief-of-staff that money for the project might be diverted to another developer: "You know very well of our interest in the site. To be involved in this issue and not have a conversation with me is very hurtful to me personally and from a business perspective. It cuts my legs totally out from under me with my business partners."

The mayor calls the communication standard from any potential developer.

"I'm lobbied daily by people that are very passionate about their interests and business interests in this city," said Mayor Ravenstahl. "Mr. Verbanac from time-to-time has been one of those. By no means is there anything inappropriate in that e-mail."

In the end, the redevelopment project was a bust.

But, the mayor said there was also nothing wrong with another Verbanac e-mail about reshaping his administration: "When we confront the real issues, we'll need a strong team, a loyal team… I have 2009 and beyond on my mind guys. The future. Yours, mine and ours."

"Once again he is a political advisor. He is a trusted friend," said Ravenstahl. "From time to time, as I've mentioned, we've talked about issues that are important to me and my administration."

Verbanac also says he is a friend and an advisor to the mayor as he is a friend and advisor to other political figures.

In a statement, he said, "The fact that a desperate candidate, in an effort to bolster his failing campaign, would attempt to impugn me or the mayor is distasteful and wrong and an example of why voters are so disenchanted with politics."

Featured Slideshows On KDKA.com

You need the latest Flash player to view video content.
Click here to download.

Click here to bypass this detection if you already have the latest Flash Player.

KDKA Investigators

Most Popular Videos Featured On KDKA.com

Close Window E-mail This Page

Influence Peddling Allegations Hit Mayoral Race

Close

Featured Slideshows On KDKA.com

KDKA Investigators

Top News Stories