State Rep. Jared Solomon on Friday formally donated $10,000 of his campaign funds as part of an effort to give back a total of $30,000 in contributions he has received from those connected with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98.
In March, Solomon called on Sixth District Councilman Bobby Henon to resign. Henon was indicted in January along with Local 98 boss John Dougherty as part of a federal investigation into the union.
Solomon’s comments drew the ire of Local 98, which donated $5,000 to his campaign in 2015, and Concerned Irish Americans of Philadelphia Political Action Committee, which a year later gave him $25,000.
Concerned Irish Americans is largely funded by Local 98 members.
Both organizations had previously demanded Solomon return the money.
On Friday, Solomon was at Max Myers Recreation Center in Oxford Circle to present the first of three checks he plans to hand out to local charitable organizations to Legacy Youth Tennis and Education.
The East Falls-based organization, formerly known as Philadelphia Youth Tennis and the Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education Center, runs half-day and full-day tennis summer camps at Max Myers, Jardel Recreation Center and other playgrounds throughout the city.
The nonprofit, through its various programs, serves more than 3,500 children in the area annually through its free and low-cost tennis clinics.
“We couldn’t do our great work without the support of (Solomon),” Legacy CEO and President Ron Nano said. “A recreation center is not anything without good programming, so we’re just extremely happy to have his support so we can deliver those programs.”
Solomon said he wanted to contribute to Legacy because of the work the organization does to support kids in the neighborhood.
Local 98 spokesman Frank Keel, who also works on Henon’s campaign, declined to comment.
The check presentation was ceremonial. Solomon said he cut the actual check back in March.
He previously announced he would donate the rest of the Local 98 money to the Oxford Circle Christian Community Development Association and HIAS Pennsylvania. ••
Jack Tomczuk can be reached at jtomczuk@newspapermediagroup.com.
