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thebellcurve
CP’s Quality-o-Life-o-Meter
[ + 1] Gov. Tom Corbett names former mayoral [ investigations ] judge), names more than 40 public officials.
candidate Sam Katz to serve on the Penn- It also reveals that city officials had been told about the alleged
sylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation
Authority. But then John Street gets the
position, even though that’s not how being
MAKING A RACKET? activities of Verdi and others more than a year ago. Funaro’s allega-
tions are, of course, only allegations, but they raise questions about
New allegations shed light on a federal probe. how many people are involved in whatever it is, exactly, that the feds
appointed even works.
By Holly Otterbein are investigating — and who knew about it.
[ - 3] Two teens allegedly stole 60 computers Funaro’s troubles began, he alleges, in 2008, after he hired a few
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A
from West Philadelphia High School in order few weeks ago, news broke that the FBI is investigating a police officers to work a private security detail at his bar. When some
to flip them on Craigslist. The good news possible extortion racket that may extend to the Philadelphia of them began acting rude to customers, he complained to their dis-
is Wharton gave them early enrollment. Police Department, the Department of Licenses & Inspection, trict captain as well as to City Council President Anna Verna’s office.
tow truck companies, strip clubs and a beer distributor believed to That, alleges Funaro, is when the retribution began.
[ 6]
- Forbesmagazine calls Greater Philadelphia be tied to a longtime city employee. On May 10, 2009, the lawsuit says, Fiso Lounge was visited by
the most toxic large-population area in the So far, the only solid details that have emerged center around an a group of “numerous heavily-
U.S. With any luck, those toxins will knock
us down to a lower-population category
alleged scheme in which bar and restaurant owners were told to
purchase beer from Chappy’s Beer Butts and Bets, a South Philly The officials armed police officers and other
officials” from the city’s multi-
soon enough. Come on, toxins!
distributor, to “curry favor” with L&I. “terrified” agency Nuisance Task Force
[ +1 ] Most of the area’s pollution cited in the No charges have been filed; but on Feb. 17, Dominic Verdi, an L&I customers. — includingVerdi.
Forbes piece is outside the city, in the sub- deputy commissioner on the city’s Nuisance Task Force — and, Funaro said the officials “used
urbs. Good lookin’ out, wage tax! according to a Fox 29 report, a part-owner of Chappy’s — was demot- loud profanity” and “banged their nightsticks on tables … and other-
ed and then abruptly resigned after more than 35 years with the wise terrified and scared customers” before ordering the club closed
[0 ] Tony Luke opens a cheesesteak shop in
4 | P H I L A D E L P H I A C I T Y PA P E R |
department, adding to the speculation that this investigation is far- for fire safety and electrical issues. Funaro says he quickly fixed the
Bahrain.“I just heard the name on the news reaching. A lawsuit expected to be filed this week, which City Paper problems. A few weeks later, he was nonetheless served with a cease-
and was like, ‘Hey all those people party-
has obtained an advanced copy of, will likely fuel that speculation. operations order by L&I. Funaro appealed, and the L&I Review
ing in the streets look hungry!’ What? No,
In the complaint, Frank Funaro, owner of South Street club Fiso Board sustained his appeal in June 2009, overturning the order.
I didn’t catch what the story was about.
Lounge, claims to have been the victim of harassment by police Shortly thereafter, on July 11, 2009, Funaro says, Nuisance
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to Libya,
where I believe there’s some sort of Mardi officers, state police and L&I workers, including Verdi himself, in Task Force members came back with Kenneth Gassman, an L&I
Gras situation going on.” retaliation for reporting bad police behavior and because he failed to employee later indicted for an extortion scheme. This time, police
purchase beer from Chappy’s. The suit, filed by attorney and former and other city officials allegedly pepper-sprayed customers, broke
This week’s total: -9 | Last week’s total: -9 Prison Commissioner Leon King (now running for Common Pleas >>> continued on page 7
[ arts & entertainment ]
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