Mayor’s brother indicted

The older brother of Mayor John F. Street was indicted Tuesday, accused of using his last name to convince companies he could get them lucrative city contracts and failing to pay taxes on $2 million of income.

Soon after Street took office in 2000, T. Milton Street Sr. began hiring himself out as a high-priced consultant to companies that thought he could help them get city contracts, the indictment charged. One firm paid Milton Street, who is a longtime hot dog vendor, a $30,000-a-month consulting fee and required him to do no work, authorities said.

He and two other businessmen face charges of mail and wire fraud, filing false tax returns and related counts.

“Milton Street wanted the IRS to believe he was a humble street vendor selling hot dogs and soda,” U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan said. “What he didn’t tell them was that he was making millions on nothing more than his last name.”

Milton Street, a state lawmaker in the 1980s, has long been a colorful character on the local scene. He made news in recent years with entrepreneurial efforts including a start-up company that offers “duck boat” tours, a venture that landed him in court in a fight with an established tour operator.

The 69-year-old vowed he would be vindicated of the charges and blamed any problems on poor record-keeping.

“I think, honestly, that I stayed in bounds [of the law]” Milton Street said Tuesday. “Now, I have to tell you, I am the worst record-keeper in the history of the modern man.”

The mayor, who was not charged, said he did not know details of his brother’s financial dealings but defended his right to pursue city contracts.

“My brother is allowed to do business with the city of Philadelphia just like any other person,” Mayor Street said at a news conference. “As far as I know, he has played by the rules.”

The indictment stemmed from an investigation into municipal corruption in Philadelphia.

The wide-ranging probe became public three years ago when an FBI listening device was discovered in the mayor’s office. The mayor was never charged.

Federal prosecutors say Milton Street was awarded consulting contracts with companies doing business at two city-owned airports even though he had no experience in facilities maintenance work.