Cost to settle sex-harassment cases against Philadelphia Housing Authority chief near $900,000

The cost to secretly settle four sexual-harassment claims against Carl R. Greene, executive director of the Philadelphia Housing Authority, is nearing $900,000, according to an agency document obtained by The Inquirer.

Two women received payments in 2004; one got $200,000 and the other $98,000. In 2008, a third woman received $350,000. The fourth case, filed this year, is near settlement for $250,000.

Details of the payments, agreed to without the knowledge of PHA board members, are included in a PHA document that contains a summary of each and the allegations the women made against Greene.

The PHA board is to meet Thursday to consider the future of the embattled executive director as the chorus of officials demanding his resignation grows louder by the day. Sources familiar with the discussions said Wednesday the five-member board would suspend Greene for a month while it conducts an investigation but would resist, at least for now, calls that he be fired.

Mayor Nutter on Wednesday released a letter sent to the PHA chairman, former Mayor John F. Street, saying Greene "must be terminated" if allegations of sexual harassment are "accurate" and if payments were made without the board's knowledge.

Nutter also pointedly rebuked the board and Street, saying that "the very leadership of PHA is in doubt" and that the agency "sadly may be suffering from a lack of appropriate oversight."

"I am baffled, like most Philadelphians, to learn of your contention that you as board chairman had no knowledge of the sexual-harassment cases brought against Mr. Greene," Nutter wrote in his letter to Street.

The secrecy of PHA managers has also infuriated Street, but on Wednesday he said the board had to conduct its own internal investigation before deciding whether Greene stays or goes. As to Nutter's criticism, Street was dismissive: "He's just talking. He has to say something."

Two sources familiar with the PHA board's plans said an internal investigation would be ordered, with the results to be completed within 30 days. The board will also discuss sexual-harassment training and PHA's sexual-harassment policies, including possible changes, the sources said.

"My understanding is that there will be a call for an investigation of allegations against Mr. Greene," said City Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell, a member of the PHA board. "I believe the board will support an investigation, given the public outcry."