Department of Public Welfare official loses car privileges for yelling at woman

    Like an unruly teenager, Philip Abromats is without car and parking privileges after lashing out at a woman who took his parking spot.

    Except Abromats is a top-level official with Pennsylvania’s Department of Public Welfare, not an unruly teenager.

    Though he and Welfare Secretary Gary Alexander sent letters of apology after the incident last month, Abromats’ state car and front-door parking spot were taken away.

    The Patriot-News reports Abromats engaged in a 20-minute stand-off with Rev. Norma Kenley-Barber, who had parked in the spot to quickly use the bathroom, knowingly risking a ticket.

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    Abromats is in charge of the Office of Income Maintenance, which oversees the county assistance offices and determines eligibility for welfare programs.

    Kenley-Barber is a 66-year-old military vet who directs a summer daycamp.

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