City ethics panel cites Miller staffer for breaches

The Philadelphia Board of Ethics has accused an Eighth District City Council staffer of using City Hall equipment for political campaign purposes, a violation of the city’s charter.

The board alleges that Michael Quintero Moore, Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller’s communications director, used a City computer and printer in City Hall to create, print and send campaign materials supporting Eighth District Democratic primary hopeful Verna Tyner, according to a notice filed earlier this month and released this week.

Tyner was one of seven candidates that competed for the Democratic nomination in the Eighth District. Tyner’s bid to replace Miller, who did not seek re-election, was unsuccessful.

The notice also accuses Moore of deleting computer documents that were relevant to the board’s investigation of Miller’s City Hall office. This after enforcement agents raided the third-floor space in May.

Moore and Miller were not immediately available for comment.

There are a total of 16 alleged violations.

The notice accuses Moore of using a City computer to create a letter from Miller, with office letterhead, that endorsed Tyner’s candidacy. Moore then allegedly printed the letter using a City printer and emailed it to media outlets using his City email account.

While on the clock as Miller’s communications director at City Hall, Moore allegedly used his City computer to create a flyer that urged 59th Ward residents to vote for Verna Tyner. Miller is the Democratic ward leader there.

Moore, who acts as the ward’s treasurer, allegedly printed out 1,000 copies of that flyer using a City printer and handed them to another Miller staffer to fold for distribution. The staffer was folding the flyers when Ethics Board enforcement agents raided the office. Copies of the flyer were also being printed out at the time.

Moore is also accused of using City equipment to create a flyer for a 59th ward fundraiser and review checks collected from that fundraiser, according to the notice.  He then allegedly deleted from an office computer the endorsement letter, the flyer promoting Verna Tyner and the flyer promoting the 59th ward fundraiser.

According to the notice Moore, refused to give a statement before the Board of Ethics, .

Moore can submit a written response to the notice and has the right to a public hearing before the board. He has 20 days to submit a response or request for a hearing.