Official: Demo contractor not on Philly tax books

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The two demolition contractors involved in a fatal building collapse did not have active city wage tax accounts, and appeared to be working off the books, a councilman said Wednesday.

Councilman James Kenney’s remarks came at a public hearing on the June 5 collapse, which killed six people inside an adjacent thrift store.

Kenney complained that city records about demolition contractor Griffin Campbell and subcontractor Sean Benschop have been hard to obtain due to a criminal grand jury investigation.

“I don’t want to be playing super sleuth,” Kenney said. “I’d rather just get what we’re asking for.”

He also faulted building owner Richard Basciano for allegedly picking the cheapest demolition bid for the project. He said the bids ranged from $500,000 to Campbell’s winning bid of $130,000, although Campbell’s permit listed the job cost at just $10,000.