conservative wilderness

Philly Race-Baiting: Under Investigation for Timecard Fraud, Councilman's Aid Accuses FOX-29 of Racism
September 19, 2008

Its one of the oldest tricks in the book for politicians and staffers caught with their hands in the cookie jar, accuse your accuser of being racist. In this case, top legislative aid to Philadelphia City Councilman, Wilson Goode, Jr., has been under investigation by local Philadelphia FOX station, Channel 29, and their report, Jeff Cole, for defrauding the city by putting in on her time card for many hours which she simply did not work.

While hardly a national story — relatively small potatoes in comparison to the many federal political corruption prosecutions there in recent years, including the ongoing trial of State Senator Vincent Fumo — a recent twist in the story makes in a little more interesting: The aid to Councilman Goode, Latrice Bryant, in City Council's opening session yesterday, held up several handmade signs for the cameras, accusing FOX 29 of being racist. But let FOX 29 and Jeff Cole tell the story:

Fox 29 Accused Of Racism In City Council
Goode Aide Shows Hand-Made, Accusatory Signs

Last Edited: Thursday, 18 Sep 2008, 10:31 PM EDT
Created: Thursday, 18 Sep 2008, 6:05 PM EDT

PHILADELPHIA -- The opening session of Philadelphia's city council is often filled with warm wishes and good feelings for the days ahead.

But on Thursday, during the first meeting, a top aide to a city councilman accused this television station and its investigative reporter of racism.

The aide works for Councilman Wilson Goode, Jr. During the past several weeks, we've been asking her and the councilman questions about her work habits at city hall.

On Thursday morning, Fox 29's Jeff Cole tried again to get some answers, and that's when the hand-made, accusatory signs came out.

"Hey Latrice, can I talk to you real quickly? Latrice, before you run," Cole said to the aide.

Latrice Bryant is a top legislative aide to Goode. She's ducking questions we have about the amount of time she spends at city hall working for the councilman.

Here's why we're asking: during work weeks in June and July, Fox 29 Investigates kept an eye on Bryant as she made her way to and from her job at city hall.

We saw her -- time and time again -- showing up late while indicating on her time sheets that she started work, often, hours earlier.

Bryant, who has worked for Goode for nearly nine years, declined to be interviewed and told us to talk to her boss.

So, on Thursday we came to the opening session of city council to try to get some answers.

But after Bryant dodged us, she took a seat behind Goode in council chambers and held up hand-written signs accusing Fox 29 and Cole of racism.

	Top legislative aid to Philadelphia City Councilman, Wilson Goode, Jr., yesterday, holding up a handwritten sign during the opening session of Council, with the name of FOX 29 reporter Jeff Cole along with "KKK"
	Here, Bryant holds up a sign that reads "FOX 29 are racist." Councilman Goode claims after that he did not see Bryant holding up the signs.
	Latrice Bryant during yesterday's City Council session.

The accusations came moments after Goode reacted angrily to our attempts to question Bryant.

"Don't you ever disrespect a black woman like that again," Goode said.

After the session ended, we tried to speak with Goode about Bryant's work habits and her accusatory signs.

"What is racist about me asking you about your publicly-paid employee and her hours, sir?" Cole asked.

"I am going to send you a written response and I'm going to talk to them about whatever they want to talk about," Goode said.

In the response, Goode wrote that he won't dismiss Bryant's nine-year work track record based on possible "mistakes" on her time sheets.

He says he has tightened the sign-in process in his office but wouldn't answer questions about her work hours.

"But when someone signs timesheets a few days later and goes back it's, they're prone to make mistakes," Goode said.

"Councilman, how can somebody claim they're in at 8:30 whey they show up at 11:30?" Cole asked.

"Get out of my way," Goode said.

"I'm sorry, councilman. I'll get right out of your way," Cole said.

Goode said he didn't see Bryant's signs.

In his written statement, Goode wrote that it is impossible for him to go back in time to recollect an employees work hours. And he adds that time sheets in his office will now be filled-out on a daily basis.

Will Councilman Goode take any action concerning Latrice Bryant's fraudulent timecard entries, or about her conduct during yesterday's City Council session. Its doubtful, given the abysmal track record of City Council in addressing ethical problems among its own.