Posted on 11/03/2004 11:42:47 AM PST by NormsRevenge
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A federal grand jury filed more charges Wednesday against the city's former treasurer and a top mayoral fund-raiser in a broad corruption probe that involved FBI wiretapping of city officials and their political supporters.
The new indictment accuses ex-treasurer Corey Kemp of filing false tax returns between 2000 and 2003. It also accuses Ronald A. White, an attorney and close ally of Mayor John F. Street, with making false statements to a bank that loaned him money to buy a $1.3 million home in Florida.
Kemp had been charged in July with accepting payments and gifts from people interested in influencing city business decisions. White and 10 others also were named in that indictment.
In the indictment served up Wednesday, prosecutors said Kemp claimed $8,000 in tax deductions for charitable contributions he never made and failed to report tens of thousands of dollars in payments the government claims were proceeds from fraudulent schemes.
An attorney for Kemp, Lloyd Parry, said he was analyzing the charges but expected Kemp to plead innocent.
The indictment also accuses two Commerce Bank executives of giving White and his associates favorable treatment on loans in exchange for his help in persuading Kemp to give the company government contracts. The two bank executives were charged previously.
White's lawyer said his client did nothing illegal and will plead innocent.
So far, the corruption probe has netted four convictions, all involving a fraudulent program at the Community College of Philadelphia.
Street was not among those indicted, and authorities have declined to explain why they bugged his office in 2003. He has denied any wrongdoing.
ping
"An attorney for Kemp, Lloyd Parry, said he was analyzing the charges but expected Kemp to plead innocent."
Is this what innocent people do? "Hmmm, we might have to plead guilty to this one..."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.