Free Republic

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The city's former treasurer was sentenced to 10 years in prison on corruption charges Tuesday in a federal investigation that came to light when an FBI bug was discovered in the mayor's office. Corey Kemp was found guilty in May of taking part in a scheme to trade city contracts for gifts, favors and cash. The case hinged on telephone calls, secretly recorded by the FBI over nine months, in which Kemp and Democratic fundraiser Ronald A. White talked about shaking down businessmen for contributions and other payments. The FBI also bugged Mayor John F. Street's City...

By DAVID B. CARUSO The Associated Press Tuesday, May 10, 2005; 6:30 AM PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia's former treasurer became the highest-ranking official convicted in a series of probes targeting what U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan has called a "culture of corruption" in Philadelphia city government. Corey Kemp, 35, was convicted Monday on charges he accepted free trips, Super Bowl tickets, cash and other lavish gifts to help businessmen obtain city contracts. The corruption probe became public in 2003 when police discovered an FBI bug in Mayor John F. Street's office. Street has not been charged, and no evidence in the Kemp...