Comptroller says Free Library chief got illegal bonuses

Alan Butkovitz says trash collectors can be fired for taking $20 tips, so former head of Philadelphia Free Library can’t take bonuses.

Philadelphia City Controller wants $236,000 back from the former head of the Free Library.

City Controller Alan Butkovitz says former Library President and Director Elliot Shelkrot was given bonuses by the board of trustees in direct violation of the City Charter.

“Basically if you are going to be paid for doing outside additional work it has to be approved but if you are going to receive additional payments from another entity just for doing your job there is a specific charter provision on that. For example if a trash collector is paid a $20 tip it is a violation of the charter and they are fired for that.”

Current library officials say the bonus practice has been discontinued.
Butkovitz says Shelkrot collected $236,000 in payments between 2001 and 2008 on top of his city paycheck. He has asked the city solicitor to request the money be repaid. Shelkrot did not return telephone calls asking for a response.