Philadelphia sheriff suspends three with intent to fire

There has been a major upheaval at the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office. Most of the managers who handled Sheriff’s sales of foreclosed properties have been suspended with intent to dismiss.

The director of finance and compliance, the solicitor and the real estate supervisor at the Sheriff’s office have been put on leave with intent to dismiss and the private company that handled Sheriff’s Sales has been terminated. Former City Controller Joe Vignola has been appointed Chief Deputy and says a 50 day moratorium on sheriff sales has been implemented. Vignola says Acting Sheriff Barbara Deeley wants further investigation into the Sheriff Sale process.

“I know the sheriff is calling the district attorney,” said Vignola.

Vignola says Sheriff Deeley had nothing to do with the area where there were questionable actions.

“She was kept out of that side of the office, she was basically the person who dealt with constituent service and did not deal with the finance end of it,” he said.

City Controller Alan Butkovitz is in the process of doing a forensic audit at the Sheriff’s office.