Auditor general calls PPA payment to Fenerty 'excessive and inappropriate'

Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale on Wednesday called a recent six-figure payment to former Philadelphia Parking Authority boss Vincent J. Fenerty Jr. an "egregious, excessive and inappropriate for any government entity."

Responding to Inquirer and Daily News reports that Fenerty last week collected $227,000 in unused administrative leave, comp time, sick time, and vacation time, DePasquale said his office's ongoing PPA audits will look into the matter.

"My current audits of the Philadelphia Parking Authority will cover the payout issue, and much more, as we are digging deep into the authority's policies and procedures and its compliance with those requirements," DePasquale, a Democrat, said in a statement.

Fenerty, a Republican ward leader, did not respond to efforts to reach him.

Fenerty, who was paid $223,000 a year to run the parking authority, stepped down in September amid allegations of sexual harassment. He is collecting a $158,628 pension, the highest in the city's retirement system.

Last week's Fenerty payment included $120,000 for more than 1,000 hours of vacation time.

benderw@phillynews.com215-854-5255