Former Rep. Acosta Summoned in Her Replacement’s Residency Challenge
According to sources, Leslie Acosta, the former PA State Rep. for the 197th District, has been served a summons and is expected to appear as a witness in court tomorrow as Fred Ramirez, the Democratic candidate in the special election for the 197th, faces a residency challenge.
Leslie Acosta/YouTube
Former Rep. Acosta, who stepped down from her office 10 months after being convicted on felony charges, was served papers to appear in court earlier today. Her mother signed for service at her home on the 2500 block of N. Palethorp St, according to sources.
Phone calls to Acosta and the home on Palethorp went unanswered.
A commonwealth judge will hear arguments tomorrow morning from the Philadelphia Republican Party that Ramirez does not reside on the 400 block of Annsbury St. in North Philadelphia. If it is found that Ramirez does not live in the 197th District, he can not run for that seat.
Spirit News looked up property records for 430 W. Annsbury St., a property Ramirez owns, and found that he did not apply for the city’s Homestead Exemption. That exemption is for resident homeowners only and provides a property tax discount. A white pages listing places Ramirez at an apartment at 1032 Radcliffe St. in Bristol, PA.
Sources also told Spirit News that water bills from 430 W. Annsbury St. show that little to no water has been used at the property for the last year and a half.
430 W Annsbury St. from 2014./Google Street View
Spirit News attempted to contact Ramirez, but an employee at his place of business said, “he was out.” She took a message, but Ramirez has yet to contact Spirit News.
The Republican candidate for the seat, Lucinda Little, did reply to our request for comment.
“I have nothing to do with the case tomorrow,” Little said, but added that she believes, “Ramirez does not live in the district.”
Acosta was the first Latina elected to the PA House of Representatives. According to Philly.com, she plead guilty to playing a role in an embezzlement scheme allegedly involving her former boss at a Fairhill mental health clinic. Acosta worked at the clinic before taking public office.
