Embattled PPA Director Fenerty Resigns Amid Scandal
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A day after the Philadelphia Parking Authority was further rocked by scandal, city council members are demanding a thorough review of the agency's operations. "My concern is that it appears to be very poorly run, poorly managed organization," said Councilman David Oh (R).
Councilman Oh says the city controller and Pennsylvania Attorney General should initiate audits. Late Wednesday, an attorney general's spokesman told CBS 3 they're looking into that.
"Well I think they need to clean house and I don't see current leadership getting out of it," said Councilwoman Helen Gym (D).
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Councilwoman Gym has been among the PPA's sharpest critics. She questions how the authority board handled a 2015 complaint of sexual harassment made against Executive Director Vince Fenerty.
On Wednesday afternoon, Fenerty resigned from his post. Fenerty was expected to be terminated at a meeting on Thursday morning.
Fenerty was allowed to keep his $230,000-a-year job after footing the $30,000 bill for a private investigation into the incident.
Hours after standing behind him, Joseph Ashdale, the board's chairman, did an about face on Tuesday while disclosing Fenerty had sexually harassed another woman 10 years ago.
The victim, at the time, was reportedly offered a $150,000 settlement but declined it. Messages left for Sidney Gold, the attorney who represented the woman in the harassment case were not returned.
"The image is that there is cronyism going on," said Oh. "That public funds are being moved around in ways that benefit special people."
And about sexual harassment, now the board is tasked with explaining what authority officials may have known and when.
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"Clearly they were either aware of, but not honest about what had happened just a few years ago," said Gym. "Or hey were completely oblivious, both of which are a huge problem."
