When a department within a large business is either under-performing, no longer adding value or tarnishing the company’s reputation with its outputs, management doesn’t remain indifferent to the troubles but instead takes action to ensure the retention of its customers and overall success.
As such, it could be argued that Mayor Jim Kenney, who runs the multi-billion dollar business of Philadelphia, has a duty to ensure that Mr. Seth Williams, the City’s first African-American District Attorney who’s embroiled in controversy over ethics and prosecutorial misconduct, doesn’t become a tabloid mainstay who directly tarnishes the reputation of local government.
If Mayor Kenney decided to ask for the resignation of Mr. Williams in lieu of the revelation that he – who charged state lawmakers for accepting gifts in exchange for a vote – accepted and didn’t disclose more than $160,000 in gifts and is being investigated by the F.B.I., that decision would be one rooted in economics not personality. In other words, Mr. Williams is bad for business, and has been prior to this current controversy.
For example, Mr. Williams’ decision not to charge Officer Nicholas Carrelli for filing a false police report after shooting and killing Mr. Brandon Tate-Brown in 2014 has resulted in the deceased’s mother, Mrs. Tanya Brown-Dickerson – who is scheduled in 2017 to battle the City of Philadelphia in a federal civil rights trial and who will likely be awarded a settlement – seeking to relocate outside of Pennsylvania, which means whatever monies she’s awarded won’t be reinvested into the local economy.
A precedent of sorts does exist for Mayor Kenney, who was sworn into the Office on January 4th of this year, to act in such a manner. Last August, Governor Tom Wolf called on then-State’s Attorney General Kathleen Kane to step aside as he saw no way she could perform her duties as the top law enforcement officer in Pennsylvania while facing serious charges, such as perjury, obstruction of administration of law and official oppression. Mr. Williams has not been charged, but the court of public opinion matters, and the jury doesn’t appear to be favoring him.
When Governor Wolf made his initial request last year, which was turned down by Ms. Kane – who last week finally resigned after being found guilty on all charges – he wasn’t implying guilt but rather was concerned about the logistics (can she manage defending herself in court while handling the business of government?) and the optics: how can citizens trust in you, a chief law enforcement officer, when the narrative surrounding you is one of gross criminality?
These concerns, I imagine, must be on the mind of Mr. Kenney, too, though he thus far hasn’t weighed in on the story that’s dominated local media for more than a week now. As the boss, some may expect Mr. Kenney, or any Mayor for that matter, to address even the slightest appearance of malfeasance within the business, while others argue that the Chief Executive must choose their battles wisely.
At this moment, though, the question shouldn’t be what’s appropriate or what’s wise, but rather: What’s good for business?
Thanks for reading. Until next time, I’m Flood the Drummer® & I’m Drumming for JUSTICE!™
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Photo Credit: Philadelphia Mayor Mr. Jim Kenney speaks to members of the media at City Hall. C. Norris – ©2016