Nutter says he ‘just missed an obligation’ to PGW

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter told reporters Thursday he just made a mistake when he failed to pay a $507 bill to the city-owned Philadelphia Gas Works.

The slip-up resulted in a shutoff notice and a lien against the mayor’s house.

“I literally just missed an obligation to PGW and had thought I had taken care of a particular bill. Apparently I had not,” Nutter said, adding that he’s been “a consistent, regular customer and payer” of the Gas Works.

The mayor says he has paid his bill and complimented the utility for its efficiency in going after delinquents, whomever they may be.

“They are diligent, they are focused, they are consistent, and they treat everyone with dignity and respect,” Nutter said.

Nutter was asked by a TV reporter if gas company workers were turned away from his house by police when they tried to shut off his service. Nutter said he knows nothing about that.

“Generally, I think the protocol is, not just for me, for any mayor or executive official, generally police are not thrilled about people walking up to the house,” Nutter said. “The U.S. postal service guy gets a little more leeway.”