To the editor:

I have been reading the Journal-World’s coverage of the shenanigans of Thomas Fritzel and his affiliates with a combination of gratitude and disgust: gratitude to the Journal-World and Chad Lawhorn for bringing these matters to light and disgust with the behavior of Fritzel and his related groups.

With the ongoing pattern of wrongdoing (or at least questionable actions) by Fritzel and his groups, one is left wondering what other inappropriate things have happened that we don’t know about. In the latest incident, all indications seem to be that a significant amount of the Oread Development District tax breaks were claimed fraudulently. In response to this finding (based on an independent audit), the city has requested a repayment of the tax break, related interest and the cost of the audit. Further, as I understand it, possible legal action may be considered.

In my opinion, at least one additional action should be considered. The federal government has a suspension and debarment program under which grantees and contractors acting inappropriately can be listed as ineligible for future grants and contracts. The city should consider establishing such a list and putting Thomas Fritzel and any groups with which he is associated on it. Fritzel seems to have a pattern of violating our trust and perhaps he should not be given that trust any longer. If the city continues to do business with him and his groups, city officials may also be violating our trust.