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Jim Ferlo 'Confident' No Wrongdoing at Urban Redevelopment Authority

State Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny) doesn’t believe federal investigators will find anything substantial from documents they’ve subpoenaed last week from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

Ferlo currently sits on the board of the URA.

The subpoena comes after board chairman Yarone Zober, and the mayor’s chief of staff, testified Tuesday before a federal grand jury believed to be investigating whether Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is involved in funding irregularities.

Ferlo said he’s not sure what investigators are looking to find.

“I have to be quite honest and say I’m not exactly sure what their concerns are," Ferlo said. "I’m very proud obviously of the participation and leadership of all the board members, myself included, and our great staff. I’m not sure what their fishing expedition is all about or even if it can be described that way.”

Ferlo said the URA is the most open and transparent authority and goes “through great lengths” to get community participation on all development projects.

He said that he does respect that law enforcement should follow up on their leads.

“I’m very confident that there’s no wrongdoing,” said Ferlo. “And obviously my standard as a public official and certainly other board members and staff is to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.”