DA's press aide under investigation
A press aide for District Attorney Seth Williams is being investigated by the Attorney General's Office for an alleged "straw" purchase of an AK-47 for her boyfriend, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
A press aide for District Attorney Seth Williams is being investigated by the Attorney General's Office for an alleged "straw" purchase of an AK-47 for her boyfriend, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
Cameron Kline, Williams' spokesman, said in a statement Thursday that Jennifer Jones - a communications and community relations aide who in 2011 worked for Williams' election campaign - had been suspended, but declined to comment on the nature of the allegations against her.
"The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office was made aware of an incident involving Ms. Jones," said Kline. "The matter was referred to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, which is independently investigating."
Jeff Johnson, a spokesman for the Attorney General's Office, confirmed that prosecutors had received a referral on the matter involving Jones, but declined to elaborate. He said Jones had not been arrested.
The investigation was first reported by Philadelphia Magazine.
Attempts to reach Jones for comment Thursday were unsuccessful. She joined the District Attorney's Office in July 2011, according to payroll records, and as of June 30, 2016, was earning $43,253.
Before she joined the office that year, Jones received 10 payments totaling $1,350 for "fund-raising/admin" from Friends of Seth Williams, according to campaign finance records.
The allegations against Jones follow a series of controversies for Williams.
Last month, he amended his statements of financial interests for 2010 to 2015, listing more than $160,000 in previously unreported gifts.
The FBI recently served a subpoena for financial records to Williams' nonprofit, the Second Chance Foundation - the latest ripple in an ongoing probe of his political, personal, and nonprofit finances.
Also last month, Stacey Cummings - whom Williams once listed as his girlfriend on financial disclosure statements - was charged with slashing tires on two city-owned vehicles outside Williams' house in November 2015.
Thursday, Joe Khan, a former federal prosecutor, announced that he would challenge Williams in next year's election.
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