Milton Street

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T. Milton Street

T. Milton Street, Sr. is an entrepreneur and former politician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the brother of former Philadelphia mayor John F. Street. Originally a street hot dog vendor, he rose to prominence as an activist challenging the city's vending and housing ordinances.^[1] He was elected to the 181st District of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1978, and to the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1980 to 1984 as a Republican. He later returned to prominence during the 1990s through his many business ventures, including a local amphibious tour bus company and vending and consulting contracts with the city and Philadelphia International Airport.^[2] Often accused of impropriety by the local media, in 2006 he was indicted under charges of corruption and tax evasion.^[3]

Street declared his candidacy in the 2007 Philadelphia mayoral election, while awaiting his trial. His candidacy was denounced by many, including eventual Mayor Michael Nutter, who called Street's candidacy a distraction from important issues.^[4] Street was later arrested on February 19 in New Jersey for failure to pay multiple traffic tickets, though he asserted upon release that his campaign would continue.^[5]

Street had announced that if 5,000 people did not attend a noontime rally at City Hall plaza on March 1, 2007, he would give up his candidacy for mayor. Media reports placed attendance at about 200, many of those curious passersby. Street was undeterred, saying he "underestimated" his passion and vowed to continue in the race, not wanting it to be considered a "publicity stunt."^[6]

Five days later Milton Street withdrew, announcing his intention to run for one of the five Democratic at-large council seats on the last day to file nominating petitions. This would place him in contention with his nephew, Sharif Street, son of the former mayor of Philadelphia. Milton Street himself pointed out that the city residency requirement for a council candidate is one year instead of the three years for a mayoral candidate. There has been some question as to where Street officially resides, in Philadelphia or Moorestown, New Jersey.^[7]. On March 12, 2007, Street's petition's was challenged in court by a voter, since Street turned in only 894 validated signatures into City Hall and the requirement to be placed on the ballot is 1,000, meaning most likely he will be unable to make the Democratic Primary ballot. [3] He did get on the ballot and was unsuccessful in his bid.

During his tax trial, Street used the tax protester argument that the federal income tax on wages is illegal, saying: "I could not find in the IRS code the statute that authorizes the Internal Revenue [Service] to levy and collect a direct tax on the American people's wages. And I will say to you, [ . . . ] if you find that law for me and bring it in here for me, I will plead guilty to all these charges."^[8] On February 22, 2008, Milton Street was convicted of three counts of tax evasion for years 2002, 2003, and 2004. He was acquitted on mail and wire fraud charges. Street could be sentenced to up to 33 months in prison.^[9]