Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Ballot Challenge

Philadelphia elections always involve the ritual "trying to throw your opponent off the ballot" dance. Though Mayoral candidate Congressman Bob Brady's (D) problem here isn't necessarily the technical disclosure issue which might get him thrown off, but the ethics of getting compensation for a "no-show" job.

On the stand, Brady said he did not work 140 hours a month at the carpenters' union - though documents subpoenaed from the union show it contributes to his pension as though he did.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Brady shot back after Rosen asked a series of questions about his carpenters' pension. "I don't know what you mean by vesting," Brady said at one point. "I just don't understand what you're saying."

Throughout his testimony, Brady maintained he was not actually drawing income from the union pension yet - echoing his legal team's argument that he was not obligated to disclose it on the form. Rosen, for his part, was looking to establish that the payments to the pension fund were made in Brady's name and thus were compensation of sorts.