?Friday, August 20, 2010 Volume 126, No. 79 Price 75¢

Audits show PHA history of noncompliance

Mismanagement found; complaints were made alleging nepotism under director Carl Greene

Larry Miller Tribune Staff Writer As allegations of sexual misconduct against Philadelphia Housing Authority Director Carl Greene continue to mount, a New Jersey-based attorney said those accusations could be just the tip of the iceberg of a much bigger problem. PHA is denying the allegations of sexual misconduct on the part of Greene. But questions about proper internal documentation Rebecca Santana KHABARI CROSSING, Kuwait - A line of heavily armored American military vehicles, their headlights twinkling in the pre-dawn desert, lumbered past the barbed wire and metal gates marking the border between Iraq and Kuwait early Thursday and rolled into history. For the troops of the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, it was a moment of relief fraught with symbolism but lightened by the whoops and cheers of soldiers one step closer to going home. Seven years and five months after the U.S.led invasion, the last American combat brigade was leaving Iraq, well ahead of President Barack Obama's Aug. 31 deadline for ending U.S. combat operations there. When 18-year-old Spc. Luke Dill first rolled into Iraq as part of the U.S. invasion, his Humvee was so vulnerable to bombs that the troops lined its floor with flak jackets. Now 25 and a staff sergeant after two tours of duty, he rode out of Iraq this week in a Stryker, an eightwheeled behemoth encrusted with armor and add-ons to ward off grenades and other projectiles. "It's something I'm going to be proud of for the rest of my life - the fact that I came in on the initial and record keeping within the authority are also circulating, raising more speculation as to what is going on within the agency. Attorney Marcia Allen Phillips told the Tribune that when she was brought in as general counsel for PHA in December 2007 she quickly realized there were major problems with recordkeeping. Phillips said after one week she was fired and alleges her employ-

Soldiers Leave Iraq

50,000 troops will remain in non-combat role

A column of U.S. Army Stryker armored vehicles cross the border from Iraq into Kuwait on Wednesday. The U.S. Army's 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, part of the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, are the last combat brigade to leave Iraq as part of the drawdown of U.S. forces. - AP PHOTO/MAYA ALLERUZZO

Why so many changes within the Philadelphia school district?

Commentary Op-Ed Sports Lifestyles Obituaries Iraq - Page 6D Arlene Ackerman

INSIDE

6-A 7-A 1-3B 4-5B 6-B City & Region Action Line Classified Religion Back to School

Inside City & Region

Final Tribute to Bowser

His mayoral contributions; funeral services; more photos of life online at www.phillytrib.com,

Page 1C

1-4C 5-C 6-C 7-C 1-5D Eric Mayes Tribune Staff Writer A steady exodus of top school district officials coupled with radical restructuring has shaken morale as the district prepares for a tough new school year. "It's very unsettling," said Jerry Jordan, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. "I can't recall as many changes at one time." Jordan said administrative Today High: 90º Low: 66º Mainly Sunny Case - Page 4A Tomorrow High: 87º Low: 70º Partly Cloudy Sunday High: 82º Low: 71º Scattered T-storms The Philadelphia Housing Authority is denying the allegations of sexual misconduct on the part of its director Carl Greene. But questions about proper internal documentation and record keeping within the authority are also circulating, raising more speculation as to what is going on within the agency. - FILE PHOTO

Chief's shifting of top officials raises eyebrows

changes are often routine and don't normally affect morale among teachers. "Teachers care about kids and what's going to happen in their school and their classroom," he said. "So a lot of the 440 stuff (referring to the Broad Street address of the administration building), they hear it, but they're concerned about their kids - about being treated respectfully - if that works they go ahead." This year, however, the district is implementing its new Renaissance Schools initiative, it's restructured to eliminate its longstanding regional format and is focusing on Superintendent Arlene Ackerman's reform plan called Imagine 2014. That has left teachers and other staff members with a lot to deal with and the constant barrage of news about staff reshuffling and administrators leaving the central office has had an affect. Jordan declined to criticize Ack- District - Page 6D SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT NOW!

Villanova's Kelvin Johnson

Coming off a national championship year, star player can't wait for this season to begin. Page 1B

Groove with Walter Williams

A Tribune interview with singer from legendary group The O'Jays. Page 6E

Ice Cube's 'Lottery Ticket'

Review of rapper's latest family film. Page 3E

Politicians continue to support PHA chief despite allegations

Eric Mayes Tribune Staff Writer Despite a raft of allegations that range from financial mismanagement to sexual harassment, Philadelphia's political establishment seems willing to give Carl Greene, the embattled director of the Philadelphia Housing Authority, the benefit of the doubt. Greene came to Philadelphia from the Detroit Housing Commission in 1998 under the cloud of a sexual harassment suit. Nevertheless, Gov. Ed Rendell, mayor at the time, threw his support behind Greene, going as far as including a clause in Greene's contract that ensured he would be hired in Philadelphia even if he lost the suit in Detroit. Rendell declined to give a statement to The Tribune on Greene's present woes. "He doesn't have a comment on it," said spokesman Gary Tuma. "It's a board matter. The governor, whatever role he may have played when Mr. Greene was

White House says Obama is Christian

Alan Fram WASHINGTON - The White House insisted on Thursday that President Barack Obama is a Christian who prays daily as it looked to tamp down growing doubts among Americans about the president's religion. White House spokesman Bill Burton made the remarks hours after a poll showed that nearly one in five people, or

N.Y. Dems back away from mosque debate

NEW YORK - As vulnerable congressional Democrats weigh how to respond to President Barack Obama's statements on Muslims' right to build a mosque near ground zero, those in New York and closest to the controversy are staying silent or scrambling away. Democrats control both Senate seats and 27 of the state's 29 Congressional districts, but analysts believe as many as eight House Democrats in the state may be headed COMING SUNDAY Muslims speaks out on NYC mosque controversy

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Inside Sports,

Eagles-Bengals

Cincinnati's T.O., Ochocinco will test The Birds' revamped secondary.

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Politics - Page 4A

PRESIDENT

IS NOT

MUSLIM

President Barack Obama waves as he deplanes from Air Force One at the Cape Cod Coast Guard Air Station in Bourne, Mass., as he travels to Martha's Vineyard, Mass. - AP PHOTO/CAROLYN KASTER 18 percent, said they think Obama is Muslim. That was up from 11 percent who said so in March 2009. The survey also showed that just 34 percent said Obama is Christian, down from 48 percent who said so last year. The largest share of people, 43 percent, said they don't know his religion. As Obama left for a vacation, Burton told reporters Obama - Page 5A to defeat this year. Republicans, hoping to ease Democrats' grip on the state, insist the economy remains the major campaign issue but say the mosque flap could also help move voters their way. From eastern Long Island to more rural upstate areas, House Democrats have been opposing the construction of a $100 million Islamic center two blocks from the World Trade Center site. More than 2,700 people died there on Mosque - Page 6D The Philadelphia Tribune, a reflection of you. The Philadelphia Tribune

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