Political rivalry ends with Council staff job

Councilwoman Maria Quiñones Sánchez will consummate her new friendship with former ward leader Carlos Matos and the Tartaglione political family he married into by hiring his daughter.

Maria Matos, daughter of Carlos Matos and Renee Tartaglione and granddaughter of City Commissioner Marge Tartaglione, leaves one patronage job at the Register of Wills Office for another in Sánchez's office, effective July 1.

Her $32,000 job as special assistant fills an open spot in the office and represents a $746 yearly pay cut.

It was noteworthy earlier this year when Sánchez, who regards herself as an independent and progressive politician, teamed with such an entrenched fixture of the Democratic establishment. She had previously warred with Matos and the Tartagliones.

The Matos-Tartaglione clan is rarely far from controversy. Matos was leader of the 19th Ward in North Philadelphia for 10 years until 2007, when he caught a three-year prison term for bribing three Atlantic City councilmen.

He returned home last year and recaptured his ward post, only to resign in April under the orders of a federal judge who agreed with Matos' probation officer - that being a ward leader exposed him to temptation.

In December, Renee Tartaglione resigned her post as chief deputy city commissioner after she admitted participating in elections she was in charge of supervising.

Maria Matos, a volunteer in the Sánchez campaign, has also discovered the pitfalls of politics. Last month, she was suspended for a day by Register of Wills Ronald Donatucci after she called in late to join a protest at a media event for Sánchez's primary-election opponent, Danny Savage (whose brother Tim also works for Donatucci).

Donatucci confirmed the suspension when asked about it Friday.

Sánchez said Carlos Matos asked only for "representation" for his area in her office, and she agreed to take on Maria Matos if she proved herself worthy on the campaign.

Sánchez said Maria Matos would help staff a new field office. "She will help us continue the expanded outreach and constituent services," Sánchez said.

- Jeff Shields