Mo' Money, No Problem

Inside the Nutter fundraiser.

by Mary F. Patel

Fresh off his trip to New York City to visit with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Democratic mayoral nominee Michael Nutter cruised into a fundraiser held in his honor last Thursday night.

The $1,000-a-person party, hosted by World Acquisitions Partners at Cescaphe Ballroom in Northern Liberties, was rather lavish, with plenty of top-shelf cocktails and shrimp. Not surprisingly, Nutter arrived late and chatted about his visit with Bloomberg. Nutter met with the Republican mayor in a Lower East Side diner and the two took the subway around town and walked the streets, just like regular people.

Nutter said key topics of discussion included crime and economic development. Certainly, combating crime here is big on the mayoral agenda and, as New York has done well fighting it during Bloomberg's tenure, it made sense for Nutter to discuss such ideas with his Big Apple almost-peer, although he didn't share a lot about specific initiatives at the fundraiser.

They also talked no-smoking initiatives.

When Nutter was in City Council, he introduced the public-places smoking ban that ultimately became law. Philly's ban was partially modeled on New York City's 2003 ban, which Nutter frequently referenced while pushing the idea here.

As Nutter offered his NYC debriefing, others partied both inside and on the patio.

Ravi Chawla, CEO of World Acquisition Partners, was there with Andrew Teitelman, general counsel for World Acquisition, which is working on an extensive development plan for the Schuylkill River. Teitelman, a Republican, is also treasurer for GOP city Councilman at-large Jack Kelly and a supporter of GOP mayoral candidate Al Taubenberger. Taubenberger media consultant Elliott Curson was also at the party. "The drinks are free," Curson explained.

PR maven Kelly Boyd, who helped arrange the fundraiser, was also there; she and Curson had orchestrated a joint appearance for Nutter and Taubenberger at Daily News columnist Stu Bykofsky's annual comedy night at Finnegan's Wake last month. Boyd had the idea for both candidates to jointly appear onstage to sing "Together (Wherever We Go)," which she used to sing with her sister when she was a kid.

Other guests included former City Controller Jonathan Saidel (obviously looking to keep his options open), consultant Tommy St. Hill (looking to keep his options really open) and Scott P. Sigman, a former assistant district attorney in the special narcotics division who is seriously considering a 2009 run for district attorney as a Republican. (Current District Attorney Lynne Abraham is not seeking re-election.)

"I'm here to connect with a possible future mayor since I may be working with him," said Sigman, who added that he has the experience to run for DA since he worked in the office for almost 10 years combating drug crimes. Due to budget problems, however, his position was eliminated and he is now an associate with Bochetto & Lentz. The firm's main partner, George Bochetto, had considered running for mayor this year on the GOP ticket but ultimately decided against it.

Sigman helped prosecute the first two local cases of "weapons of mass destruction." The first case was between two drug gangs, where one gang attempted to use bombs on the other. The second case dealt with a meth dealer who had ready-to-use bombs in his home.

Sigman was recognized in 2006 by The Legal Intelligencer as a "Lawyer on the Fast Track" and last year in Philadelphia magazine as a "Rising Star" in the Super Lawyers edition. He made the cover of the magazine and was noted for his work in busting drug crimes.

If he decides to run, Sigman will most likely face Democrats Seth Williams and Dan McCaffery, younger brother of Seamus McCaffery (who is running for a seat on the state Supreme Court this year).

Williams was hailed by Philly Mag in 2005 as "Rising Star" in the Super Lawyers edition for his prosecution work in the DA's office. He last ran (unsuccessfully) against Abraham in the 2005 Democratic primary.

(rcpatel@aol.com)