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Troubled Councilwoman has history of financial problems
Embattled Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, who recently agreed to a settlement regarding dozens of ethics violations, has a history of financial trouble relating to her home on the 2400 block of North 52nd Street, in the city's Wynnefield neighborhood.
Troubled Councilwoman has history of financial problems
Embattled Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, who recently agreed to a settlement regarding dozens of ethics violations, has a history of financial trouble relating to her home on the 2400 block of North 52nd Street, in the city's Wynnefield neighborhood.
In a scandalous report released by the Board of Ethics Monday, the councilwoman admitted that she pocketed campaign contributions and "borrowed" $3,300 from Chaka "Chip" Fattah Jr. to prevent her house from falling into foreclosure after an acrimonious split with her husband, Howard Brown, in 2010. The Browns jointly own the stately, 5,168-square-foot house, complete with a sprawling lawn and garage, valued at an estimated $374,000.
But court records indicate foreclosure was nothing new to the Browns. The house, purchased in 1994 for $175,000 according to Office of Property Assessment records, had previously fallen into foreclosure in 2002. Court records indicate the foreclosure was settled with Wells Fargo Bank in April of that year.
Later, in 2007, 2008 and 2011, the Browns were involved in four settlements with the Philadelphia Gas Works, likely relating to unpaid bills, according to Philadelphia Common Pleas Court records.
Brown had to come up with $30,000 to cover her mortgage, all told, according to the Ethics Board statement. Why Brown would conduct such an elaborate and career-jeopardizing financial shell game, instead of simply selling her luxurious home, is a mystery. The Councilwoman has refused to speak with the press regarding the scandal, but did release a statement.
Brown was also previously fined $1,500 by the Commission in 2011 improper reporting and exceeding the limit on contributions from a single PAC. This revelation led to a broader investigation, culminating in yesterday's report and a new $48,834 fine for Brown and her reelection committee.
The full scope of Brown’s involvement in the mishandling of campaign dollars and forging of records is still unclear, but her admission to funneling donations into her personal bank account has already led City Hall insiders to speculate that her political career is over. While Philadelphia’s renowned public tolerance of political corruption may prove to be a safety net for the councilwoman, it may not portend well for her reported mayoral ambitions.
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