Philly watchdog group calls for investigation into mayor's "slush fund"

PHILADELPHIA, PA (WTXF) - Philadelphia's financial watchdog group wants the state to take a deeper look into a city non-profit in control of millions of dollars.

Controller Alan Butkovitz has called for the state Attorney General to investigate "The Mayor's Fund for Philadelphia" for what he calls "inappropriate use of funds and a general lack of transparency."

The spending in question goes back to the Nutter administration.

The fund helps Philadelphia's mayor advance his goals, but Butkovitz says it's a glorified "slush fund," adding that the fund's administrators are uncooperative.

"The ongoing refusal to provide documents and assist with auditors, along with questionable activity, signals millions of dollars could potentially be susceptible to fraud and misuse," Butkovitz said.

The Nutter administration has maintained that spending went through proper approval channels.

Meanwhile, Mayor Kenney has replaced the fund's leadership in the hopes of restoring accountability.