Whistle-blower fired from judicial campaign
Share with others:
The campaign worker who blew the whistle on political activity occurring in Pittsburgh Councilman Jeff Koch's office said he was fired today by the campaign of state Supreme Court candidate Debra Todd.
"I'm the only person in this scenario who didn't break the law, but I'm the only one who loses their job," said Jason Phillips, who on Wednesday showed media evidence of a political phone call made on city time from a city office by a member of Mr. Koch's staff.
Mr. Phillips received the call from Mr. Koch's office phone Monday at 11:55 a.m., asking if he would allow his name to appear on a piece of campaign literature Mr. Koch wanted to produce showing that some of his rivals in a March 2006 special election now support his reelection bid.
Campaign work using government resources and on government time is illegal.
He said he tried to report the call to the city Ethics Hearing Board, but was told by city officials that there is currently no way to file a complaint with that board.
He then informed media members, who reported on the call, among several controversies surrounding Mr. Koch's campaign. He has also taken and returned a corporate contribution barred by state law, and city Redd Up Crew workers were photographed working in Koch campaign T-shirts.
"I don't believe my actions are unethical," Mr. Phillips said.
Today he received a phone call from the campaign, he said, and was fired. He said he was told that Democratic Committee ward chairs were upset about his actions.
Debra Todd, currently a Superior Court judge, could not be immediately reached via her cell phone. Her campaign manager, Alison Hall, would only say that Mr. Phillips was no longer working on the campaign.
First Published May 11, 2007 5:00 pm
