Resolution 150914
Denouncing the demeaning, misogynistic, racist and homophobic emails sent on state-owned computers by prosecutors currently employed by Philadelphia's DA's Office, urging the District Attorney to terminate their employment, and calling on the Pennsylvania Attorney-General's office to appoint an independent special prosecutor to investigate the three former state prosecutors, so as to restore public confidence in our law enforcement entities.
Introduced by
From the floor
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“…ident of the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Organization for Women. We are here in support of Resolution No. 150914. Just a few comments. The three public servants charged with one of the most important jobs in our society have broken the public trust in a shameful way. Prosecutors Frank Fina, Marc Costanzo, and Patrick Blessington sent, viewed, and disseminated e-mails that devalued, demeaned, and ridiculed wo…”
Ms. Ahmad · Stated Meeting, December 3, 2015 · Dec 3, 2015 · official transcript, this passage
Status timeline
- Nov 19, 2015Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar · CITY COUNCIL
Recorded result: Pass
A motion was made by Councilmember Bass that this matter be Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar. The motion carried unanimously.
- Dec 3, 2015ADOPTED · CITY COUNCIL
Recorded result: Pass
A motion was made that this matter be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:
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..Title Denouncing the demeaning, misogynistic, racist and homophobic emails sent on state-owned computers by prosecutors currently employed by Philadelphia's DA's Office, urging the District Attorney to terminate their employment, and calling on the Pennsylvania Attorney-General's office to appoint an independent special prosecutor to investigate the three former state prosecutors, so as to restore public confidence in our law enforcement entities. ..Body WHEREAS, City Council through its previous legislative actions has supported the elimination of discrimination and harassment in the workplace, schools, the justice system, and all other sectors of society; and WHEREAS, Frank Fina, E. Marc Costanzo, and Pat Blessington who are currently prosecutors in the Philadelphia District Attorney's office, exchanged and circulated numerous emails and photographs while they worked for the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office. The emails which these men forwarded reportedly include women in compromising sexual situations with captions indicating advancing in the work place requires such acts, depiction of African American babies as violent from infancy, and stereotyping and ridiculing of gay men; and WHEREAS, Frank Fina's involvement in prosecuting sex crimes makes this behavior all the more disgraceful; and WHEREAS, A culture of misogyny and racism that permeates the highest levels of government is evidence of gross misconduct and compromises the public trust in law enforcement entities; and WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) has launched an on-line petition calling for the termination of these prosecutors. Last week on November 12th, the women Council members stood with NOW in their advocacy efforts on this issue, now therefore, be it RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, that it hereby denounces the demeaning, misogynistic, racist and homophobic emails sent on state-owned computers by prosecutors currently employed by Philadelphia's DA's Office, urges the District Attorney to terminate their employment, and calls on the Pennsylvania Attorney-General's office to appoint an independent special prosecutor to investigate the three former state prosecutors, so as to restore public confidence in our law enforcement entities. ..End