Philly councilwoman’s treasurer pleads guilty to stealing campaign funds

The former campaign treasurer for a Philadelphia city councilwoman has pleaded guilty in federal court. He had already been fired from his day job with the city.

John McDaniel was the treasurer of Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown’s campaign and admitted to one count of wire fraud for stealing $100,000 of campaign funds.

Mayor Michael Nutter’s spokesman Mark McDonald says McDaniel was terminated from his job at Philadelphia International Airport shortly after the board of ethics outlined his wrong-doing in a settlement with Reynolds Brown.

“It was clear that he was engaging in inappropriate activity and the next day the mayor terminated him,” said McDonald.

Reynolds Brown attended the weekly city council meeting, but left at about the time that McDaniel was entering his guilty plea.

Her spokesperson couldn’t track her down for comment. She has settled the issue with the ethics board by coughing up a record $48,000 in penalties and repayments for using campaign funds to cover personal expenses.

McDaniel’s sentencing is set for May 14th. The maximum penalty is 30 years in prison, but it’s likely his admission of guilt will help reduce that.