Ethics probe requests documents from PHA about legal work and John Street

Former Philadelphia Mayor John Street’s role in approving legal services that went to the firm where his son worked is being reviewed.  It has to do with Street’s former role on the board of the Philadelphia Housing Authority.

The Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission has requested documents relating to former Mayor and PHA board head John Street’s role in awarding work to his son’s former law firm.  Sherry Swirsky is Deputy Counsel of PHA and says she is collecting documents for the commission.

“They are looking at the Wolf-Block legal work, specifically the work of Sharif Street because of Mayor Street’s votes as board chairman of PHA of the potential contracts for legal work that were awarded to Wolf-Block and other law firms,” said Swirsky.

Swirsky says the Ethics Commission will review the documents and make a decision if there is something worthy of a hearing.

“Our role is very straight forward at this time, we are the custodians of certain documents the commission wanted and we are happy to produce all documents that they have requested,” said Swirsky.

Former Mayor Street refused a request to be interviewed, but denied any wrongdoing.