By MICHAEL HINKELMAN & DAVE DAWES hinkelm@philiynews.com 215-854-4462
Source: Philadelphia Daily News (PA); S32 words
Published: 2006-01-20
Section: LOCAL | Page 03 | Edition: 4STAR
THE FEDERAL Investigation Into public corruption Is focusing on three businessmen for an alleged scheme at Philadelphia International Airport to defraud a company that manages airport advertising.
Investigators are gathering evidence about a conspiracy to cheat the company, JC Decaux, out of $30,000, according to sources familiar with the probe.
Sources Identified the businessmen as Joseph C. Moderski, 68, of Bryn Mawr; Terry F. Crockett, 61, of Center City, and Eric M. Selby, 39, of Montgomery County, Md.
All three were significant contributors to a political committee run by the late power-broker Ron White, the central figure in the long-running probe.
White was indicted on corruption charges in 2004, but died before coming to trial.
Sources say the alleged airport scheme occurred during 2000 and 2001.
Indictments In the case could come down within two weeks, sources said.
The U.S. Attorney's Office declined comment yesterday.
Two of the men Involved - Crockett and Moderski • have had business dealings at the airport, sources said.
Crockett Is a self-employed architect who worked 20 years for the city as an architect and airport planner.
He left the city In 1999, and his firm Is now a certified minority business that has worked as subcontractor on several airport contracts, Including ones Involving signage.
Attorney Joel Slomsky confirmed that he represents Crockett, but declined to discuss the case.
Moderski is a self-employed business consultant who has worked In the past for an outdoor- advertising Arm.
"I can't comment about the ongoing Investigation, but Joe Moderski Is a reputable businessman who's done business In Philadelphia for more than 40 years,* said William Spade, Moderski's attorney.
Moderski also has had business relationships with Shamsud-dln All, the Muslim cleric and friend of
Mayor Street who was convicted last year on racketeering and related charges, and given a seven-year Jail sentence.
The sentence has been suspended by a federal judge, pending appeal.
FBI wiretaps on All's phone In June and July 2001 picked up conversations between All and Moderski.
Spade said there's no significance to Moderskl's association with All.
"Shamsud-dln was also an adviser and friend to Mayor Street,* Spade said, "and he raised money for a lot of prominent Pennsylvania politicians. So what?"
Selby, the third man, is a one-time executive of Sky Sites, an advertising company acquired by Decaux In 1999.
Selby didn't respond to messages left at his Maryland home last night for comment.
The three men each made $10,000 contributions to White's political committee. Citizens Action, on the same day in June 2001, campaign records show.
Decaux, an International media and communications company, has extensive airport-advertising contracts around the world, Including in Philadelphia. It has the advertising contract at Philly International for Terminal A-West and Terminal F.
Decaux describes itself as "a world leader" In "out-of-home" media, with more than 657,000 advertising panels across 45 countries.
Ronald Levine, an attorney who represents Decaux here, confirmed the company had received a request for documents from the government.
The company has fully cooperated with the government's request, and we believe the government Is satisfied with Decaux's cooperation," he said.
He declined further comment.
Airport officials had no comment yesterday.
Joe Grace, Mayor Street's director of communications, also declined comment, but said the city continued to cooperate with federal authorities. *
© Philadelphia Dally News (PA)
