PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A former Mummer says last night’s raid on the Downtowners Fancy Brigade clubhouse (see related story) could tarnish the Mummers’ reputation.

George Koresko, retired Mummer and former president of the Penn-Jersey String Band Association, says he’d like to see some facts from a police investigation that resulted in last night’s raid on the Downtowners Fancy Brigade clubhouse. “You don’t know if the Downtowners were involved. Did they rent the place out? You really can’t say.”

Police Commissioner Ramsey says it’s his understanding that members of the brigade were present during the raid. Although, it was initially unclear to what extent the members were involved in the prostitution ring, if at all.

Koresko notes that anyone can rent facilities owned by various Mummers clubs and they do not necessarily have to get the approval from club officials for the type of activities the facilities are rented for.

He adds that if all the allegations and police charges are true it’s a real blemish on Mummery. “It’s a bad mark against the Mummers.”

Reported by Al Novack, KYW Newsradio 1060