Phila. councilman gets 6.5 years in prison
Former Philadelphia councilman Rick Mariano was sentenced to 6 and a half years in prison last week on charges of accepting bribes in exchange for influence.
Mariano was convicted in March of taking $23,000 in bribes from Philip and Louis Chartock for helping the Chartocks with tax and regulatory issues.
The three-term councilman was indicted last fall and climbed to the top of City Hall in a highly publicized alleged suicide bid. The following day he telephoned City Hall from his bed in a psychiatric ward and fired two top aides.
Prosecutors argued for a stern 10-year sentence, but U.S. District Judge Lawrence Stengel dispensed the 6 and a half year one instead, saying that Mariano deserved prison time for his crimes.
-- Ross Avila
Barbaro's condition changed to guarded
Kentucky Derby champion racehorse Barbaro's condition has deteriorated in recent days, according to officials at the George D. Widener Veterinary Hospital at the Penn's New Bolton Center.
Barbaro's condition was changed to "guarded" after complications arose from his May 21 surgery to repair fractures he sustained while running the Preakness the day before.
Dr. Dean Richardson, chief of surgery, said that the champion is facing tough odds. The horse's owners, Gretchen and Roy Jackson, maintain that Barbaro's comfort is their primary concern.
His doctors say that his health hasn't deteriorated to the point where euthanasia would be considered.
-- R.A.
Philadelphia faulted for disaster prep
Philadelphia's emergency management office is not on par with similar disaster agencies in other cities, a task force report expected to be released today says.
Mayor John Street appointed the task force to study the city's readiness if a disaster such as Hurricane Katrina were to strike Philadelphia.
Street's administration has hired the James Witt, the Clinton-era head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to advise the city on increasing preparedness.
City Hall is waiting to hear the task force's recommendations today at a news conference to see what can be done to make Philadelphia more ready for potential disasters.
-- R.A.
Penn a potential buyer of Phila. hospital
Three hospitals currently owned by Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare Corp. are up for sale in metropolitan Philadelphia.
The hospitals include Graduate Hospital, Roxborough Memorial Hospital and Warminster Hospital in Bucks County. It could take up to a year to complete the sales of the hospitals.
Penn was listed as a potential buyer by industry experts. Other possibilities include Community Health Systems of Tennessee, which currently owns five hospitals in the area, Jefferson Health System and the Temple University Health System.
Price ranges for individual hospitals are unavailable but Tenet said it expects to bring in $250 to $275 million from the sales of the three area hospitals.
-- R.A.
