Fumo, 63, is charged with conspiracy, fraud, obstruction of justice and filing false tax returns. The 267-page indictment alleged that Fumo, one of Pennsylvania’s most powerful politicians, exploited the neighborhood charity he helped create and controlled: Citizens Alliance for Better Neighborhoods. “Besides relying on his income and assets to support his lifestyle, Fumo regularly endeavored to gain personal benefits and gratuities frmo [SIC] others, including entities over which he had influence, such as the Senate [and] a non-profit organization he established and controlled, Citzens Alliance….Fumo stated to a close confidant his philsophy that a person is best advised to spend […]
SAD TO SAY: ‘Godfather Of Talk Radio’ Goes Silent
Veteran Philly talk host Irv Homer [pictured, middle] said goodbye Friday to WBCB (1490-AM), where he had been hosting afternoons for about five years. The former WWDB and WPHT talker told us yesterday it was his choice to leave and “the program had run its course.” Homer, 82, said he’ll spend his time working at the Sunshine Foundation, the children’s charity. He’s not planning to return to radio but says “if any station wants me, they know how to reach me.” Fans can visit irvhomer.com to keep in touch. DAN GROSS: To The Man Who Coined The Phrase ‘Boobus Americana’ […]
THE MONEY $HOT: OW, QUIT IT…OW, QUIT IT…OW…
NEEDLES & PINS: Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention, February 2nd, 2007
BREAKING: Coach’s Son To Be Arrested On Drugs & Weapons Charges
Officials tell Action News that police will hold a news conference today to detail the charges, and Britt Reid is expected to be arrested a short time later. Police documents paint an ugly picture of the Reid boys as drug-crazed, reckless drivers, armed and dangerous. Authorities say Andy Reid’s eldest son, Garrett, admits he was high on heroin when he smashed into another car. Police say the 23-year-old blew the red light and plowed into a Ford Taurus. A police report obtained by Action News indicates East Norriton police clocked him at close to 20 miles an hour over the […]
HOT DOCUMENT: Inquirer Hires Mr. Clean
TO: PHAWKER FROM: Michael Smerconish DATE: 2/6/07 SUBJECT: Me! I want you to be among the first to hear some personal/professional news. I’ve just agreed to write a weekly column for the Philadelphia Inquirer. No, hell has not frozen over. (Thank goodness for global warming or it might have.) While I’ve had plenty to say about the Inquirer over the years, I have never denied that it IS the newspaper of record for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. The invitation for me to come aboard suggests that the Inquirer truly wishes to broaden the blend of opinion offered in its […]
Laying The Giant Money Laundering Pipes That Used To Grease The Wheels Of City Hall With Filthy Lucre
[Photo Courtesy of PhillyHistory.org] The City of Philadelphia?s photo archive contains over 2 million images that date back as far as the late 1800s, i.e. the last time a Republican won in this town. In all seriousness, this is an INCREDIBLE visual record of the city?s evolution and a relatively new web site, PhillyHistory.org, is making it available for online consumption and purchase. To date, some 22,000 images have been digitally scanned, at a rate of roughly 2,000 images a month. So, if you?ve been wondering why the line at Kinko?s is so godamnned SLOW, well, now you know. Phawker […]
BREAKING: Fumo Steps Down, Fed Indictment Pending
HARRISBURG — State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo, under FBI scrutiny for four years, took to the senate floor today and announced he expects to be indicted this week, proclaimed his innocence and said he plans to vigorously defend the allegations against him. In a cadence at times defiant, at times mournful, Fumo (D., Phila.) said he would step down as the ranking Democrat on the powerful senate Appropriations Committee, but would continue serving in the chamber as he fights the expected charges against him. “I know in my heart that I have not done anything illegal,” said Fumo in a […]
NPR FOR THE DEAF: We Hear It Even When You Can’t
FRESH AIR ON WHYY Directors Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton, and writer Michael Arndt. Little Miss Sunshine, their bittersweet film about a dysfunctional family, has been nominated for four Academy Awards. This was Faris and Dayton’s feature film debut after directing hundreds of music videos, and also the first screenplay of Arndt’s to be produced. ALSO, writer Jon Mooallem wrote “Designer-Dog Fights,” a story in the New York Times Magazine about the breeders who breed dogs to create a canine with a particular mix of behavioral and physical characteristics. RADIO TIMES The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts is selling one […]
WAR PIG: Disgraced GOP Congressman Named Military-Industrial Complex Executive
BY BONNIE L. COOK Inquirer Staff Writer — Former U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon has been named chief strategic officer for Defense Solutions, an Exton-based company specializing in military services and sales, a company official said yesterday. Chief executive officer Tim Ringgold said Weldon, a 10-term Republican congressman from Delaware County, would help lead the firm’s “growing defense and homeland security practice areas.” “Curt Weldon knows how our Armed Forces and emergency response communities work and what they need,” Ringgold, a retired Army colonel, said in a statement. Weldon lost his seat in November to Democrat Joe Sestak after the FBI […]
Swiss Bank Opens Local Branch, A Little Too Late To Cash In On The Golden Age Of City Hall Corruption
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Credit Suisse is pleased to announce that it will open a Private Banking USA office in Philadelphia to serve the wealth management needs of the growing number of high-net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals in the region. The office will be headed by Richard Jaff?, who joins Credit Suisse as a Managing Director. The office opening is another example of Credit Suisse?s strategy to expand its presence in major US wealth markets. […] Credit Suisse is one of the world’s leading private banks, with a 150 year history of serving the unique needs of wealthy individuals. Private […]