Reports That Inspectors Are Ignoring New Rules For Demolitions Prompts Investigation
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Philadelphia Inquirer story, alleging that city inspectors are ignoring new demolition guidelines, has prompted Mayor Nutter to order an Inspector General's investigation of the Department of Licenses and Inspections.
It's the first crack in the mayor's unwavering defense of his L and I commissioner.
This is not the first time L and I's adherence to the new guidelines has been questioned, but the mayor says the newspaper story, which reviewed 82 private demolitions, contains a troubling level of detail.
"If true, which I do not know that at the moment but, if true, given the specificity of the number of buildings that may have been looked at or not looked at, requires a significant amount of attention. If true, it is completely unacceptable."
Notably absent from the announcement was L and I commissioner Carlton Williams, who has never personally addressed any of the allegations about his department. He has sometimes silently stood by as the mayor defends him but, this time, the mayor offered no defense.
"If people are not doing their jobs, there will be very serious consequences to come, should I still be here."
The mayor has just 70 days left in office and neither he nor IG Amy Kurland would speculate on how long the investigation might take.
