Montgomery County Pennsylvania County Commissioner James R. Matthews has been arrested and arraigned on charges of perjury and false swearing after an 18 month grand jury investigation into self-dealing which involved in part Matthews' business relationship with a title company used by the county.
 
According to the county district attorney, the grand jury found instances of non-competitive bidding, including favoritism for certain service providers, including a title business, Certified Abstract Company, which has been contracted to do the County’s title work since November, 2010.  While the Grand Jury did not find sufficient evidence to show that there was an improper relationship between Matthews and Certified Abstract, Matthews allegedly made misrepresentations regarding the relationship on a Statement of Financial Interest, a form required for elected officials.  
 
The Grand Jury subpoenaed Matthews to provide sworn testimony on October 5, 2011.  During that sworn testimony, Matthews allegedly lied on several occasions, leading  the Grand Jury to recommended to the district attorney that Matthews be charged with Perjury and False Swearing.  The Grand Jury found that “Matthews lied with such ease and frequency, that he acted as though, as Chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, he is above the law.”
 
According to local news reports, Matthews owns a mortgage brokerage firm, Keegan Mortgage Company.  The news reports do not indicate whether Matthews has a stake in Certified Abstract.  But the grand jury findings allege that Matthews lied about his relationship with Certified Abstract.

The grand jury also found that the bidding process was tilted in Certified Abstract's favor.  Other companies who wanted to bid to provide the county title services were only given two weeks, rather than the standard month, to make their bids, and were required to fulfill 20 pages of inquiries and requirements.  Certified was the only company to submit a bid and has done over $88,000 worth of work for the county in the past year, according to the grand jury report.