Questions still circling Philadelphia counciman’s charity

Questions continue to surround a a charity run organized by a Philadelphia councilman.

Councilman Kenyatta Johnson said while his “Peace Not Guns” organization is registered as a nonprofit with the state of Pennsylvania, it doesn’t qualify as a nonprofit under federal regulations.  That’s what is leading to questions about the legitimacy of  the group, he said.”According to the federal government, in order for you to file tax filings, you have to raise more than $25,000,” he said. “That’s the law. We didn’t break any laws, and all the money went toward funding ‘Peace not Guns’ events.”

The organization has raised only about $10,000 since starting in 2008, Johnson said.Ellen Kaplan of the watchdog group Committee of 70 said the questions warrant an investigation into the organization.”Politicians and not-for-profits has always been a troubling,” she said. “We’ve seen it over and over again, on  the statewide level with Vince Fumo and his nonprofit and many, many politicians who have links to nonprofits.”The councilman says Peace Not Guns is organizing a basketball tournament set for October, with the goal of teaching young people how to resolve disputes without violence.