Streets Commissioner Donald Carlton Arrested for Assault After House Party Fight
Left: Mugshot of Streets Commissioner Donald Carlton. Right: Carlton at a press conference. (Screenshot via City of Philadelphia video.)
Less than six months after Mayor Jim Kenney appointed him Streets Commissioner of Philadelphia, Donald Carlton is facing charges of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. The charges stem from an incident that took place in December, just days after his appointment had been announced.
According to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, Carlton was involved in a fight at a house party on American Street on December 6th. He’s accused of punching a man at the party multiple times in the face and body, leading to a fractured rib and bruised left eye, says D.A. spokesperson Cameron Kline.
Court documents indicate that Carlton was taken into custody last Friday. He posted $2,500 bail the same day.
The Strawberry Mansion High School graduate was seen as a success story in city government. He began his career as a sanitation worker and rose through the ranks to Deputy Street Commissioner before Kenney installed him in the top slot.
The woman answering the phone in Carlton’s city office said that she was unaware of the arrest.
According to Kenney spokeswoman Lauren Hitt, “Donald Carlton is on a leave of absence until further notice. Deputy Commissioner Mike Carroll will serve as Acting Commissioner effective immediately.”
Follow @VictorFiorillo on Twitter.
