Fired Reading solicitor claims mayor improperly removed her from office

Jeremy Long, Reading Eagle, Pa.
·2 min read

Feb. 25—An attorney for the recently fired Reading city solicitor claims the solicitor should be reinstated because Mayor Eddie Moran did not follow the city charter in firing her.

The demand was included in a letter attorney Marc E. Weinstein, who is representing Elizabeth Kraft, sent Wednesday evening to City Council and interim City Solicitor Fred Lachat.

"Aside from the fact that her purported 'termination' was done for purported illegal reasons, the action was not taken in compliance with the city's Home Rule Charter," wrote Weinstein, who is based in Montgomery County.

Weinstein was referring to section 309 of the city's governing documents that states the mayor shall appoint one city solicitor. That person shall hold the office unless removed and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Council also has to confirm the solicitor by four votes, the charter states.

"Neither has occurred," Weinstein wrote. "Accordingly, under the law, Ms. Kraft remains city solicitor.

"We demand the purported 'termination' be rescinded, and Solicitor Kraft be permitted to return to her office and resume her duties immediately."

Moran fired Kraft on Tuesday morning without warning or explanation, Kraft said in a statement issued Tuesday.

"It is unthinkable that the mayor — Reading's chief law enforcement officer — would so brazenly violate the city's own laws," Weinstein wrote. "This will not go unchallenged."

Christian Crespo, communications coordinator, said in an email Tuesday that Moran named Lachat interim solicitor.

Crespo provided no information about why Kraft was terminated, saying it was a personnel issue.

In response to Weinstein's letter, Crespo wrote in an email: "We are in receipt of the letter. Counsel is working on it, and we have no further comment as it's a personnel matter."

Kraft attended Monday night's City Council meeting and advised council on a proposed resolution authorizing the renewal of economic opportunity zones. There was nothing to suggest she was no longer in the administration's good graces.

Moran named Kraft as his solicitor his first day in office. City Council confirmed Kraft to the position in May. Her salary was $95,000.

Kraft also served as acting solicitor under former Mayor Wally Scott.