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Inquirer editorial: DA fumbled the ball by accepting Eagles tickets

The $160,050 in cash and gifts District Attorney Seth Williams belatedly decided to report raises a host of ethical, if not legal, questions for the city's top law enforcement officer. But one gift in particular stands out for its sheer sense of entitlement: two sideline passes Williams received to five years' worth of Eagles home games.

District Attorney Seth Williams along the sidelines at the Redskins-Eagles game at Lincoln Financial Field on Dec. 26, 2015.
District Attorney Seth Williams along the sidelines at the Redskins-Eagles game at Lincoln Financial Field on Dec. 26, 2015.Read moreCLEM MURRAY / Staff Photographer

The $160,050 in cash and gifts District Attorney Seth Williams belatedly decided to report raises a host of ethical, if not legal, questions for the city's top law enforcement officer. But one gift in particular stands out for its sheer sense of entitlement: two sideline passes Williams received to five years' worth of Eagles home games.

Even more breathtaking: After Williams finally got around to disclosing the gift pile that dates back to 2010, he had the gall to claim the Eagles passes had "no face value." Granted, the all-access passes may not have a price printed on them. But to many Eagles fans, the value of a sidelines pass is priceless.

Like the other extravagant gifts Williams received - including $45,000 in roof and related repairs to his home; $20,800 in airfare and lodging for vacations to Key West, Las Vegas, and the Dominican Republic; and a $2,700 couch - the Eagles passes were just another perk of the job.

It is that cavalier sense of entitlement portrayed by too many in Philadelphia's political class - as well as a number of elected officials in Harrisburg and Washington - that drives voters crazy. To be sure, accepting some gifts is legal if properly reported. But that doesn't always make it right.

Indeed, not every public official takes such handouts. Nor does every football team or business owner feel the need - or political pressure - to provide such lucre. The New York Giants do not give away sideline passes to public officials. The Dallas Cowboys don't even allow fans on the sidelines during games.

Williams' predecessor, Lynne Abraham, may have had some faults, but she had a strict "no gifts" policy during her tenure as DA. Such a bright line is the right policy for any public servant. Especially one in law enforcement.

Sports pages these days are littered with reports of athletes behaving badly, including a few Eagles players. There have also been instances where law enforcement officials who looked the other way or provided favorable treatment to athletes were ensnared in wrongdoing.

A district attorney sporting an Eagles sideline pass around his neck - or one who receives other valued goodies - could have a clouded view when deciding whether to prosecute a player or team. The same goes for investigating other business owners, lawyers, and friends who gave Williams the $160,050 in cash, gifts, and travel junkets over the years.

At the very least, the disturbing appearance of Williams' potential conflicts of interest stinks and undermines the integrity of the District Attorney's Office.

The fact that Williams took so long to report the gifts on mandatory annual statements of financial interests signals that even he knew it looked bad. In finally disclosing the gifts, Williams cited the need for greater transparency. That's a good reason. But another might be an ongoing federal investigation into his finances.

Given the recent string of political corruption probes in Philadelphia, it is troubling that it often takes a grand jury to get public officials to do the right thing.