Ackerman Says Nutter Has No Business Criticizing Her Unemployment Claim
by Mike DeNardo, KYW Newsradio 1060
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia's former schools chief is firing back at critics of her applilcation for unemployment benefits.
In an e-mail to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Arlene Ackerman called Mayor Nutter's criticism of her unemployment claim "disingenuous" because, she says, the mayor and the School Reform Commission signed off on her buyout deal.
That agreement said the district wouldn't fight any unemployment claim she might make. She did file for unemployment after pocketing a $905,000 severance package (see related story).
Today, Mayor Nutter wasn't interested in responding to Ackerman.
"I think that the former superintendent's actions really do speak for themselves," he said.
The mayor says he is instead focusing on the future.
"We have a district that has a significant financial challenge going forward," Nutter told KYW Newsradio. "That page has been turned, and as far as I'm concerned that book is closed."
But not for everyone. Pennsylvania state representative Michael McGeehan is asking the state labor secretary to deny Ackerman's unemployment claim.
