PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A high-ranking former official in Allentown has been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud as part of an FBI probe of government contracting in Pennsylvania's third-largest city.

Former finance director Garret Strathearn of Sea Gird, New Jersey, was charged Monday, becoming the highest-ranking official snared in the investigation.The charges involve a city contract for the collection of delinquent real estate taxes. Court documents allege that an elected city official seeking statewide office instructed Strathearn to manipulate the bidding process to favor a campaign donor.Court documents do not name the official, but Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski ran for U.S. Senate this year. Pawlowski has not been charged.Strathearn is the third person charged. His lawyer did not return a phone call seeking comment on the charges.