FBI remains tight-lipped on probe into Street

As the federal probe involving Mayor John Street continues, reports have surfaced that the investigation has been broadened to include his family's personalfinancial records.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, federal officials have submitted subpoenas for the financial records of Street, his wife Naomi Post and his son, Sharif Street.

Linda Vizi, spokeswoman for the Philadelphia office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Jack Stollsteimer, special assistant U.S. attorney, both said that they could not confirm or deny these reports.

Approximately two weeks ago, a listening device was found in the mayor's office, and raids were conducted on businesses and residences, some connected to Street.

Last Thursday, raids took place at the Municipal Services Building, located at 2 Penn Center in Center City, and the offices of attorney Ronald White, an avid Street supporter.

Street spokesman Mark Nevins would not comment on reports that the investigation has now been extended to the finances of Street's family.

"We don't comment on stuff that's leaked out by federal investigators to newspapers because we don't know who's saying it and we don't know how reliable it is," he said.

Nevins also addressed recent allegations that the investigation is taking place due to racial motivations.

"Nobody from our campaign has said that actually," he said.

"There have been some people who've expressed that concern," he added. "We can't comment on other people's concerns, though they are certainly entitled to them."

According to Nevins, the federal probe and investigation have not affected Street's bid for re-election.

"I don't think it's affected our campaign in terms of strategy at all," he said. "I don't think there's anything we're doing now that we weren't doing before."

"Everything that's on our schedule are things that we've been planning for for months," he added. "Our strategy from the beginning has been to highlight the mayor's achievements reducing crime, lowering taxes, improving schools, strengthening neighborhoods and that's what we've been doing."

"Before all this started, that's what we were doing and we were winning, and we're going to continue to do that," he said.

Nevins also said that the investigation does not seem to have reduced support for Street at all.

"What seems to be happening is that people are concerned about the timing of this investigation and are concerned about whether or not there's some political shenanigans going on," he said.

"The result is that people are rallying behind Mayor Street," he added, citing recent polls that show Street ahead by several points.

Stollsteimer said that information regarding the investigation is likely being leaked by sources other than law enforcement authorities.

"A lot of it is speculation," he said. "None of it's coming from law enforcement."

"We don't even comment on whether there is an investigation," Stollsteimer added.

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