From the Desk of Jon Marietta:

The Truth vs. Political Ambition

Summary:

There’s been no material evidence presented to support these claims. What we’re seeing isn’t an effort to uncover truth—it’s a calculated, politically motivated move meant to sway voters with innuendo instead of facts.

This kind of behavior says more about her character than it does about mine. If this is how she campaigns, what kind of Recorder would she be once the spotlight fades?

I trust voters to see through it—and draw their own conclusions about the real motivation behind her ambitions.

To provide some clarity, here’s what she is trying to mislead you on:

Claim: “Marietta wasted over $75,000 on lavish office renovations without a bidding process.”

Let’s set the record straight: there is no single $75,000 contract. These were small, incremental purchases made throughout the year—each one aimed at improving the efficiency, safety, and productivity of the Recorder’s Office as we continue the critical task of digitizing decades of Fayette County property records.

We bought:

  • Ergonomic chairs and workstations so staff could scan and index for long hours without injury.

  • Durable conference tables and public access counters to assist residents face-to-face.

  • A new server room humidifier to protect both microfiche and modern digital systems.

  • And yes—every major purchase followed the county’s bidding or procurement process where required.

For example:

  • We sought quotes from multiple vendors before selecting office furnishings.

  • We used existing COSTARS contracts (Pennsylvania’s cooperative purchasing program) to secure competitive pricing without reinventing the wheel.

  • We documented every purchase and submitted them through the county’s financial system for transparency.

So when my opponent says we didn’t follow a bidding process—that’s simply not true. We followed every legal and financial policy, and if we hadn’t, you can bet the District Attorney, Attorney General, or Ethics Commission would’ve said something. But all three reviewed this—and found no wrongdoing.

She claims to be honest—but her attacks have been proven false, misleading, and politically motivated. I’m not here to decorate an office—I’m here to build one that serves the people of Fayette County with integrity, transparency, and pride.

If that’s called “lavish,” then I’ll wear it proudly—because this office belongs to you, and I’m going to keep treating it like it does.

Claim: “Marietta wasted thousands of public funds on self-promoting radio ads and advertising materials.”

That’s pure fake news—a desperate spin on a public awareness campaign designed to educate, not promote.

The materials we distributed listed only the Recorder of Deeds Office name and contact information—no campaign slogans, no self-promotion. In fact, State Senator Pat Stefano handed out the exact same type of targets—the only difference being they had his Senate office information instead of mine. This is standard outreach used by officials across Pennsylvania, from sheriffs to state reps, to make sure people know how to access vital government services.

The radio ad aired during a high school football game on WMBS, not to promote me, but to explain the role of the Recorder’s Office—so the public understands how we handle deeds, mortgages, veteran records, and more.

This isn’t politics—it’s public service done right. I don’t see any other office in Fayette County delivering the same level of community outreach. That’s not a criticism—it’s just the standard I set. Because if you’re paying for the office, you should know what it does and how to reach us. That’s transparency. That’s accountability. And that’s what you deserve.

Claim: “Marietta wasted thousands of public funds on self-promoting radio ads and advertising materials.”

That’s pure fake news—a desperate spin on a public awareness campaign designed to educate, not promote.

The materials we distributed listed only the Recorder of Deeds Office name and contact information—no campaign slogans, no self-promotion. In fact, State Senator Pat Stefano handed out the exact same type of targets—the only difference being they had his Senate office information instead of mine. This is standard outreach used by officials across Pennsylvania, from sheriffs to state reps, to make sure people know how to access vital government services.

The radio ad aired during a high school football game on WMBS, not to promote me, but to explain the role of the Recorder’s Office—so the public understands how we handle deeds, mortgages, veteran records, and more.

This isn’t politics—it’s public service done right. I don’t see any other office in Fayette County delivering the same level of community outreach. That’s not a criticism—it’s just the standard I set. Because if you’re paying for the office, you should know what it does and how to reach us. That’s transparency. That’s accountability. And that’s what you deserve.

Claim: “Marietta used office automation fund for the purchase of personal items including automotive tools”

That claim is completely false and intentionally misleading.

There were no personal items purchased, and absolutely no automotive tools. The items in question were:

  • An air pump used for server maintenance, specifically to clear dust and debris from sensitive equipment and ventilation areas in the server room. Regular cleaning with controlled air pressure is critical for maintaining optimal airflow and preventing hardware failure—essential tasks in a digitized records environment.

  • A humidifier used to protect both the microfiche storage area and the server room, where climate control is necessary to prevent damage to historical documents and sensitive digital infrastructure.

  • Flashlights, used by staff during power outages, building inspections, and while working in archive storage areas with limited lighting.

All of these items are still located in the Recorder’s Office, used exclusively by staff, and were purchased to support the safe, secure, and efficient operation of the office.

These are routine, responsible purchases that align with the Recorder’s duty to preserve public records. Trying to twist them into a scandal is just another political stunt—and the people of Fayette County see through it.

Claim: “Marietta was sued by his own attorney for failure to pay for services—now he’s dealing with his ‘improper use of funds.’”

A former attorney attempted to block-bill me on a personal legal dispute—a highly questionable practice under Pennsylvania ethics rules. According to Rule 1.5(a) of the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, a lawyer “shall not enter into an agreement for, charge, or collect an illegal or clearly excessive fee.” Block billing—lumping multiple services into one vague time entry—obscures transparency and often results in inflated charges, which is exactly what happened in my case.

I paid what was legitimately owed. Then, without warning, the attorney demanded an exorbitant additional amount that was not outlined in any signed agreement. In response, I filed preliminary objections, and the attorney failed to respond within the court’s required timeframe. As a result, the case was dismissed.

This situation has no connection whatsoever to taxpayer money or to the operation of the Recorder’s Office. It’s just another baseless smear attempt—meant to deflect from the fact that I’ve run this office with accountability, transparency, and integrity from day one.

Claim: Misleading use of the header from the regularly scheduled Fayette County Controller audit of the Recorder of Deeds Office from
January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024.

The 2024 scheduled audit of the Recorder of Deeds Office found:
✅ No fraud
✅ No abuse
✅ No misappropriation of funds
✅ No material weaknesses
✅ All expenditures were lawful, justified, and documented

And that’s not just my opinion—it’s the official conclusion of the County Controller, the auditors, and the Solicitor, following a full review of financial records for the calendar year of 2024.

Yes, the Controller’s office noted a few automation fund purchases they felt may not align with their interpretation of the fund’s purpose. But even they admitted this was a matter of professional opinion—not legal authority. In their letter dated March 14, 2025, they acknowledged that automation fund laws are “quite broad,” and their remarks were based on erring on the side of caution, not on any legal violation.

Let’s also be clear: several other row offices are scheduled for the same audit. This was part of a routine audit process and was not initiated due to any complaint or reported violation.

Yet despite this, the establishment is using the audit header to try to mislead the public. What’s worse—they never made the report public themselves. This is just another smear attempt, hoping people will believe headlines without seeing the actual facts.

But no worries—you deserve the truth, and you’ll get it.
The full report, along with a formal response from the Recorder’s Office Solicitor, can be found below.

I invited this audit because I believe in transparency. And unlike other offices where financial records can take 30 days to access through a Right-to-Know request, I posted the report directly to my social mediano delays, no spin, just the facts.

If you want real oversight, let’s ask about the millions of dollars flowing through:

  • The Redevelopment Authority

  • The Fay-Penn Economic Development Council

  • The $8.5 million Infrastructure Bank

  • And the Office of Economic Development’s ARPA spending

Why aren’t they being held to the same standard?

I’ve modernized the office, built an ADA-compliant website, cut turnaround times, and equipped staff to serve you better. I’ve welcomed scrutiny—and the record shows it.

This office belongs to you, not the political insiders. And that’s exactly how I’ll continue to run it.

Claim: “Christina Becker is a proud supporter of President Trump’s policies.”

This is yet another false narrative designed to confuse voters and blur the lines between true conservatives and political opportunists.

Christina Becker and her husband were set to host Democrat Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz at their farm—a running mate of Kamala Harris and a representative of the very policies that undermine President Trump’s America First agenda. That event was only canceled due to scheduling—not a change of heart.

In addition, they supported Democrat State Representative Pam Snyder, a longtime liberal voice in Harrisburg.

These are not the actions of someone who stands with President Trump or the MAGA movement. That’s not “proud support”—that’s political convenience.

I, on the other hand, have supported President Donald J. Trump from the very beginning. I proudly voted for him in 2016, 2020, and 2024, and I continue to stand by the agenda that built this movement—border security, Second Amendment rights, election integrity, and draining the swamp.

I don’t just say I support President Trump—I’ve lived it, stood on it, and fought for it. I’m not here to play both sides. I’m here to fight for the residents of Fayette County and the American values that made this country great.

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