Green, who will face Republican William J. Cole in November, has campaigned on changing the way the office has been run by Passio, whom Green has said ''will leave a legacy of scandal and squandered funds."
For a year or two, Booker was a fixture of that administration, a close friend of former chief deputy Sam Dowling and a regular in the Sheriff's Office. His bar on North Broad Street was a favorite of many deputies.
"I like John Green, but this is his (party), not mine. Any politician that wants to, I'll let them use the place," said Booker, whose political connections have earned him the nickname "mayor of North Philadelphia."
Booker was charged last year with scheming to defraud insurance companies through stolen-car claims, a case he said is based on "wrong misunderstandings." He said the case had not come to trial.
Green, asked if he was considering having Booker in his administration if he is elected, said, "I don't think he has any law-enforcement experience."
At least eight of the 69 Democratic ward leaders attended the party. Green said only five had "overtly" backed him in the primary.
"This is just so we can have a little unity," he said. "I'm just trying to heal the party, as they say."
