Some
may say this is old news in the 180th district, however, our campaign
has been accused of giving false information and not telling the truth
in the informational op. eds. we have written regarding the character
and integrity of our opponents Jonathan Ramos and incumbent state rep.
Angel Cruz in the run for state representative. The following records
which are public information should clarify that our intent is ONLY to
educate the voters. Based on the information we have gathered; we
encourage the voters to decide for themselves.
Terri L. Willmott, Campaign Manager
Communications Director
"Friends of Anthony P. Johnson for State Rep. PA 180-2012"
Renee Tartaglione admits to ethics violations
Monday, December 6, 2010
Deputy
City Commissioner Renee Tartaglione has settled charges with the
Philadelphia Board of Ethics that she used her own money to pay for
campaign materials for a state representative in 2008. Tartaglione's
recent resignation from her post came as part of the settlement.
In
the release announcing the settlement, the ethics board said that
Tartaglione, who has worked in her job for 27 years and is the daughter
of City Commissioner and ward leader Marge Tartaglione, admitted to nine
violations of the city charter that prohibit city employees from most
types of participation in politcal campaigns.
She also agreed to pay a $2,700 fine.
Tartaglione
and her husband, ward leader Carlos Matos, have long tangled with State
Rep. Angel Cruz. Cruz has accused them of supporting Jonathan Ramos
against him in primaries.
The board of ethics said
Tartaglione ordered 4,500 campaign posters, 20,000 palm cards, and
64,000 bullet ballots that promoted the candidate (JONATHAN RAMOS). She
also ordered 2,000 bullet ballots with the candidate’s opponent’s (Angel
Cruz') name but the wrong ballot button number for the opponent, the
ethics release said.
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/heardinthehall/Tartaglione.html
*Per the settlement agreement by the Board of Ethics of the City of Philadelphia (LEGAL DOCUMENT):
I.
Tartaglione took part in the affairs of the 2008 campaign of a
candidate (Jonathan Ramos) for State Representative by personally
placing seven orders with Kennedy Printing for campaign materials. In
total, Tartaglione ordered 4,500 campaign posters, 20,000palm cards, and
64,000 bullet ballots that promoted the candidate. She also ordered
2,000 bullet ballots with the candidate’s opponent’s name (Angel Cruz)
but the wrong ballot button number for the opponent.
J.
The candidate’s (Jonathan Ramos) campaign and the 19th Democratic ward
distributed the campaign posters, palm cards, and the 64,000 bullet
ballots that promoted the candidate (RAMOS) on and about the day of the
April 2008 primary election in order to promote the candidate. The
candidate (RAMO'S) paid for four of the orders. Tartaglione paid for the other three orders with a check drawn on her personal checking account.
Near Brawl Erupts In City Commissioner’s Office
Dec 8, 2010 by Aaron Kase
Renee
Tartaglione, "(who retired last month when she learned of the charges
the Board of Ethics was bringing against her) was handling money and
distributing ballots for former state representative candidate Jonathan
Ramos? Especially when Ramos’ opponent, State Rep. Angel Cruz, is
alleging that the entire Tartaglione family has been working against him
for years?"
http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/phillynow/2010/12/08/near-brawl-erupts-in-city-commissioners-office/
RENE TARTAGLIONE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
This Settlement Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into between the
Board
of Ethics of the City of Philadelphia and Renee Tartaglione. The Ethics
Board and Tartaglione are referred to jointly as “the Parties.”
A.
The Board of Ethics of the City of Philadelphia is a five-member,
independent board established by ordinance, approved by Philadelphia
voters in May 2006, and installed on November 27, 2006. Pursuant to
section 4-1100 of the Home Rule Charter, theBoard is charged with, among
other things, enforcing the City’s Public Integrity Laws, including the
restrictions on political activity and the handling of political
contributions by City officers and employees found in Section 10-107 of
the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter (the “Charter”).
B. The
City Commissioners’ office is responsible for administering all
elections that occur in Philadelphia in a fair and impartial manner. The
office receives election documents and campaign finance reports, trains
election officials to manage polling stations, certifies the official
returns and maintains voter registration records.
C. At
all times relevant to this Agreement, until her retirement on November
16, 2010,Renee Tartaglione was a Deputy City Commissioner and one of
Philadelphia’s top election officials. Tartaglione was first employed by
the City Commissioners in 1984.
D. As an appointed
officer of the City, Deputy City Commissioner Tartaglione was subject to
the restrictions on political activity in section 10-107 of the
Charter.
E. Subsection 10-107(3) of the Charter generally
prohibits City officers and employees from collecting or receiving any
contribution for any political purpose.
F. Subsection
10-107(4) of the Charter generally prohibits appointed officers and
employees of the City from engaging in political activity, which
includes taking an active part in the management or affairs of any
political part or in any political
campaign.
G. Violations of section 10-107 of the Charter are subject to section 10-109 and subsection 10-107(6) of the Charter.
H.
In August 2009, pursuant to its mandate and in response to a
confidential complaint, the Ethics Board’s Executive Director commenced
an investigation into potential violations of section 10-107 of the
Charter committed by Tartaglione.
*I.
Tartaglione took part in the affairs of the 2008 campaign of a candidate
(Jonathan Ramos) for State Representative by personally placing seven
orders with Kennedy Printing for campaign materials. In total,
Tartaglione ordered 4,500 campaign posters, 20,000palm cards, and 64,000
bullet ballots that promoted the candidate. She also ordered 2,000
bullet ballots with the candidate’s opponent’s name (Angel Cruz) but the
wrong ballot button number for the opponent.
*J.
The candidate’s (Jonathan Ramos) campaign and the 19th Democratic ward
distributed the campaign posters, palm cards, and the 64,000 bullet
ballots that promoted the candidate (RAMOS) on and about the day of the
April 2008 primary election in order to promote the candidate. The
candidate (RAMO'S) paid for four of the orders. Tartaglione paid for the
other three orders with a check drawn on her personal checking account.
K. In 2009, Tartaglione took part in the affairs of the campaigns of 32 challenger
candidates
for Judge of Election and Machine Inspector in the 7th ward by placing
an order with Kennedy Printing on May 14, 2009 for 5,100 bullet ballots
promoting those candidates. The bullet ballots were distributed in the
7th ward on the day of the May 2009 primary. Tartaglione paid for the
sample ballots with a check drawn on her business checking account.
L. In 2009, Tartaglione took part in the affairs of the 19th Democratic ward by:
i.
Placing an order with Kennedy Printing on May 15, 2009 for 6,000 copies
of the “Official 19th Ward Democratic Ballot.” On the day of the May
2009
primary election, the 19th ward paid workers to distribute
the “Official 19th Ward Democratic Ballot.” Tartaglione paid for the
“Official 19th Ward Democratic Ballot”with a check drawn on her business
checking account;
ii. Organizing and running an October
27, 2009 meeting of the 19th ward, the purpose of which was to tell
committee people about their assignments for the upcoming election; and
iii.
Arranging and attending a November 2, 2009 meeting of the 19th ward,
the purpose of which was to distribute campaign literature to committee
people.
M. During each election cycle in 2007, 2008, and
2009, as detailed below, Tartaglione collected contributions from the
Democratic Campaign Committee, a PAC controlled by the Democratic City
Committee. The contributions were used to fund election-day “street
money” for the 19th and 62nd Democratic wards.
http://www.phila.gov/ethicsboard/pdfs/Tartaglione_settlement_1232010.pdf
