Former Rep Fires Back At Philadelphia City Controller
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Former City Representative Desiree Peterkin-Bell plans to file a defamation lawsuit against Alan Butkovitz after the current City Controller claimed she used money from the Mayor's Fund for Philadelphia without approval at a press conference earlier this week.
Attorney Joe Tucker is representing Peterkin-Bell. He says the expenditures in question didn't benefit his client in any way, and that the issue could have easily been cleared up if he had spoken with her or former Mayor Nutter.
Tucker also points out that Butkovitz broke his own protocol by not having either review the report before going public with it at the press conference:
"Where he sits there and grandstands with the specific intent to embarrass and defame my client."
One of the expenditures brought into question revolved around an $80 pair of shoes from Macy's, which Tucker says were for a model taking part in the Philadelphia Collection fashion show:
"Not for herself. She has no $80 shoes at her home."
Tucker says the lawsuit will face an uphill battle because Butkovitz's press conference may fall under qualified immunity.
