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Questions about Philadelphia undersheriff’s side hustle
Undersheriff Tariq El-Shabazz has been pulling double duty, per a new Inquirer report, raising questions about ethics and conflicts of interest.
- In addition to serving as legal advisor to Sheriff Rochelle Bilal — where he collects a $200,000 salary — El-Shabazz, who in 2017 ran for DA, has apparently been representing clients in Philadelphia court as a defense attorney.
Bilal swept into office in 2019 in an upset, and promised to reform a corrupt system, but her tenure has been dogged by its own scandals. Despite that, she reportedly got the reelection endorsement nod from the Philly Dems’ policy committee earlier this week.
What to know about the charges against Eagles guard Josh Sills
Eagles backup offensive guard Josh Sills was indicted this week on sexual assault felony charges in his home state of Ohio.
- The charges stem from a 2019 incident, before he joined the team last year. He’s been placed on what’s called the “exempt list,” which means he isn’t traveling with the team and likely won’t play in the Super Bowl.
With two egregious counts against him, why didn’t the Eagles just cut him? It has to do with the players’ employment contract, Sasha Rogelberg explains.
→ More details on the situation
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- In 2019, the Pa. Department of Health added anxiety disorder as a valid reason to get a medical marijuana card — and now it accounts for 60% of people in the program. [PA Spotlight]
- Sen. Fetterman’s desk in the Senate chamber has been outfitted with a live display monitor that provides real-time captions as he deals with auditory processing issues due to his stroke. [Time]
- Mayoral candidate insights from the latest campaign finance filings, which include spending through 2022: Domb lent himself $5 million to top the money list, while Parker had the highest % of donations from Philadelphians. [Arcgis/Inquirer$/@billy_penn]
- The Citizens Police Oversight Commission, which last year replaced Philly’s relatively toothless Police Advisory Commission, had nine members appointed last spring, but it’s still in search of a permanent director. [BP 2022/Axios]
- To get ahead of the pervasive lifeguard shortage that keeps public pools from opening, Parks & Rec is adding cash bonuses this year: $1,000 if you apply by April 15 and $500 if you apply by May 15. [BP 2021/WHYY/Phila Gov]
- Have Phoenix and Glendale heard about Eagles fans? Arizona’s Super Bowl host cities said they have no plans to grease light poles, scoffing at the procedure that’s “protocol” in Philadelphia. [Axios Phoenix]
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MAYOR WATCH
Mmmmnope, nothing on the public schedule for Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney today.
ON THE CALENDAR
🐶 Find love of the pet adoption kind at the PSPCA’s Speed Dating event, with dogs and cats ready to meet their forever families outside their kennels at the Erie Avenue shelter. (10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4)
⛸️ Take advantage of the cold snap and ice skate for free at the Rothman Rink next to City Hall. Reserve in advance; skate rental is extra. (3:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays and Tuesday throughout February).