Mayor Nutter Shares Council Concerns On Ethics Board
Mayor Nutter just called on the Philadelphia Board of Ethics to revisit the issue of its executive director, Shane Creamer, violating its rules on confidentiality of investigations. Nutter said he was "surprised" to learn from newspaper stories that the board investigated its highest-ranking employee. That investigation started last month when Creamer disclosed to the board that he had an off-the-record conversation with a reporter about an investigation that had not been completed.
Mayor Nutter just called on the Philadelphia Board of Ethics to revisit the issue of its executive director, Shane Creamer, violating its rules on confidentiality of investigations. Nutter said he was "surprised" to learn from newspaper stories that the board investigated its highest-ranking employee. That investigation started last month when Creamer disclosed to the board that he had an off-the-record conversation with a reporter about an investigation that had not been completed.
Nutter said the board should have forwarded the issue to another investigatory agency, such as the city's Inspector General, for review. "I'm very concerned about what happened," he said. "I think the board needs to revisit the entire situation."
The board fined Creamer $500 for his violation, an amount Tasco called a "slap on the wrist." Nutter also voiced concern about the amount of the fine.
Nutter also said he was considering a call by City Councilwoman Marian Tasco, who made a speech on the floor of Council this morning about this issue, and Council President Anna Verna, to withdraw his nomination of Edward Kung to fill an vacant seat on the Board of Ethics. Tasco said Kung had an impressive resume but that Council would be more comfortable with someone more familiar with the board's work. During a Council hearing last month, Kung sometimes seemed perplexed by questions about the board's activities.