Mayor Nutter Questioned Over Reynolds Brown's Former Campaign Manager

By Mike Dunn

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The guilty plea from the former campaign manager of a city councilwoman led to questions for mayor Nutter about why he had given the man a cushy airport job.

John McDaniel pleaded guilty to taking more than $100,000 from the 2011 campaign account of Blondell Reynolds Brown for non-election purposes including his own personal purposes.

After the campaign he went to mayor Nutter for a job. Nutter says he was well aware that McDaniel had faced prior theft allegations.

"I made a judgment call to give someone a second chance," says Nutter.

So Nutter got McDaniel an $87,000 a year job working the airport handling volunteers.

Nutter fired McDaniel three weeks ago, the day after the Ethics Board released its report on the campaign violations. Nutter says he has not since spoken to McDaniel.

"He knows I'm disappointed," says Nutter.

As for Reynolds Brown, she ran from reporters seeking comment on Thursday.