Award for integrity goes to Philly attorney

A relatively unknown Philadelphia city employee has been recognized for his integrity. 

The first inaugural Inspector General’s Joan Markman Award for Integrity was presented  to Daniel Cantu-Hertzler, an attorney in the city’s law department who has helped broker multimillion-dollar settlements with companies that have violated the city’s anti-discrimination policies.

While some may be hard to convince, Cantu-Hertzler said not all city workers are corrupt.

“It is our job, as city employees, and it is our opportunity to combat that cynicism,” he said. “We can do that  by freely referring dishonest contractors and employees to the inspector general, even before the media break the story.”

Cantu-Hertzler was a bit nervous to take the $1,000 check for the award, fearing he might break integrity rules.