Solicitor Nominee Gets Grilling but no Public Hearing

Despite a long list of signatures on a petition the Pittsburgh City Council has decided to not hold a public hearing on the selection of a new city solicitor. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has nominated 34-year-old Daniel Regan to replace George Specter who is moving to the Urban Redevelopment Authority. South Side residents asked for the public hearing after they learned that Regan is one of three partners at the law firm of Caputo and Caputo. That firm represents several bars on Carson Street including one that has a case pending against the city contesting an ordinance to limit the number of bars in a neighborhood and another bar that Councilman Bruce Kraus, who represents the South Side, says is flagrantly defying liquor laws. The petition had the required number of signatures to call for a hearing but missed the deadline by weeks. A hearing request must come within three days of a bill or nomination being introduced. In the past the council has ignored the time restriction but by a split vote decided to enforce the rule in this instance. Before the vote was taken council members asked a few questions about qualifications including time practicing the law and experience with municipal law and issued a few warnings about how political the position could become with the mayor’s office and nine council members all placing demands on the legal department. Kraus grilled Regan on his dealings with the bars and questioned his ability to set aside those allegiances. He says, “I have an attorney who is presently suing me at the table asking me to hire them as my attorney and I’m struggling.” Regan repeatedly told Kraus that he did not feel there was a conflict of interest and if there ever was a conflict he would take steps to make sure safeguards are put in place to prevent even the appearance of impropriety. He says, “I can defend the ordinance and I will defend that ordinance.” Council is expected to take a vote on Regan’s appointment next week.