Ethics Board fines two Donna Reed Miller staffers

The Philadelphia Board of Ethics just announced that it has fined Michael Quintero Moore, communications director for Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller, $3,800 for using office equipment and staff for political purposes.  The board also fined Kacy Nickens, another Miller staffer, $300. Both staffers must resign their jobs and are prohibited from working for the city for one year.

The board's staff in October accused Moore of 16 ethics violations, including producing on City Hall stationery an endorsement letter from Miller in the Democratic primary election for Verna Tyner and a news release about that endorsement.  He also produced fliers for the 59th Ward, in support of Tyner

Moore printed thousands of political fliers in Miller's office and told Nickens to prepare them for distribution. Moore was also accused of deleting computer files to hide his actions and of refusing to cooperate with the board's staff, as required by the city charter.

The board's staff raided Miller's office in May, finding Nickens working on the fliers.

Moore, who was due to have a hearing before the Ethics Board tomorrow, entered into an agreement on Friday to pay the fine.  Nickens entered into her agreement on Nov. 28.

Moore had planned to challenge the board's action because it listed the wrong City Hall room number on the subpoena it used in the May raid.  Moore denied any wrongdoing last month but refused to discuss the specific allegations with the Daily News.

The agreements cost Moore and Nickens their jobs.  But Miller was due to leave office at the end of this month anyway since she decided against running for re-election.  Democrat Cindy Bass takes over the 8th District seat next month.  Moore, who worked for Miller since 2005, was paid $55,179 per year while Nickens, who joined Miller's staff in January, was paid $30,000 as an office assistant.