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Seth Williams takes 'full responsibility' for disclosure scandal

Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams, in an email to his political supporters Monday morning, said he takes "full responsibility" for failing to disclose $160,050 in gifts in the last five years.

"One of my requirements as an elected official is to fully disclose all gifts and or in-kind services I receive, even those from my closest friends and families," Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams wrote in an email.
"One of my requirements as an elected official is to fully disclose all gifts and or in-kind services I receive, even those from my closest friends and families," Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams wrote in an email.Read moreSTEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer

Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams, in an email to his political supporters Monday morning, said he takes "full responsibility" for failing to disclose $160,050 in gifts in the last five years.

That represents an evolution of Williams' approach to the controversy, which went public when his amended statements of financial interest were first reported on Aug. 15.

"One of my requirements as an elected official is to fully disclose all gifts and or in-kind services I receive, even those from my closest friends and families," Williams said in an email issued by his campaign. "I take full responsibility on failing to disclose what was required. We've taken the proper steps to make sure this doesn't happen again and will be fully compliant moving forward."

The email came from the Seth Williams Victory Committee, the political action committee Williams is using to seek a third term next year.

A disclaimer at the bottom of the email noted the maximum allowable amounts for individuals and PACs to contribute to Williams' campaign.

A week ago, Williams issued a statement through his campaign that cast the amended filings as "intended to demonstrate transparency and to meet or exceed the public disclosure requirements in Pennsylvania."

"I believe that it is very important to provide the citizens of Philadelphia with a greater foundation of trust in their elected officials," Williams wrote in last week's statement.

Williams, in amending his filings, reported receiving $45,000 in home repairs, airfare and lodging for several vacations, tickets and passes to sporting events, liquor, boxing lessons, a couch, a watch, Visa gift cards, and thousands of dollars in cash.

The disclosures prompted a wave of media coverage and criticism for Williams.

That prompted Williams to apologize Friday to his staff, not for the flawed filings he made for five years but for the "adverse publicity" the amended filings drew from the media.

"I understand and recognize that each of you works very hard to represent the commonwealth with integrity and honor," Williams wrote in an email to his staff while he was out of town on vacation. "The adverse publicity about me during this past week has likely made it more difficult for you to do that. I deeply regret and apologize to you for that."

It was also reported last week that staffers from the District Attorney's Office have been interviewed by the FBI, which has been working with the IRS and a federal grand jury since last summer on a probe of Williams' personal and political finances.

brennac@phillynews.com

215-854-5973

@ByChrisBrennan