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Attorney Dean Weitzman argues his client, former Philadelphia Schools Superintendent Arlene Ackerman, is entitled to unemployment benefits.
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Now this.
-- and -- was fired from -- job running the Philadelphia school system.
She negotiated a 905000.
Dollar buyout and now -- want to collect unemployment a 500 dollars a week.
Is what a matter of Philadelphia had to say about last.
Given the size of believe the settlement that was agreed to.
Have by the former superintendent.
Announced -- -- come back and I get more money.
-- By joining the company now as -- Tony dean weitzman he represents ms.
-- council welcome -- the program good to have you with us -- -- it's my pleasure thanks for having me now I believe that you negotiated.
The severance package.
And -- -- I believe you negotiated the tons of that severance which allowed ms.
-- to collect unemployment.
And that's what our audiences interested.
Why should ms.
-- and they get unemployment benefits when she's just gotten a 905000.
Dollar payment.
Well let me start first and I hate to be argumentative to Begin the show but.
I have to take exception with an earlier statement made and that was.
That she was fired.
For poor performance.
That is not between us and author okay -- -- we -- -- -- that point.
All day long whether issue is -- -- ship pulled forms that's that's really not what I wanna get out of with -- respects.
Our view is offline count in cents.
That someone who receives any kind of 900000.
Dollar payment.
Should then be allowed to file for unemployment benefits I mean our view is all intents and will you -- -- aspect of the case.
Most.
Most definitely they'd be the answer to that question is that I believe those who are -- -- to believe that the unemployment system.
Is a need based system it's not.
Each individual employee contributes to the system along the way.
And if they're unemployed and again that we're getting back to the firing issue.
If they're unemployed and for no.
No basis of that is they they did not contribute to there having become unemployed -- poor performance.
And they are not they are unemployed the there entitled to take back from the system that which they put it that.
That's that you're entitled to it I mean you play absolutely.
I understand that and that she is entitled to it but nonetheless you negotiated.
Those terms it was a deliberate negotiation.
So that she could pick up on employment you went into this all eyes wide open.
You wanted to negotiated so that she got 500 dollars a week as well -- than 905001.
I'm raising counseling is the model issue yeah.
Don't leak -- not to -- to this were right to that -- -- -- will feel -- you see the point.
I don't see the point.
It if if if we only if a moral outside and -- from -- whatsoever.
Really is this is this any different then a very wealthy person collecting Social Security benefits yes it contributed to yes -- I don't believe it is -- different.
As Social Security is not.
A benefit it's not some kind all of the -- that program.
It is an insurance program which -- what is paid -- -- according to that means.
And this unemployment benefits I think costs somewhat different especially.
When that ms.
Akerman got 905000.
Dollars a half million by the way from the tax thing yeah.
And 400000.
From anonymous donors not -- that let's look at that show.
How calm she -- paid off with 400000.
Dollars from anonymous donors.
Come from.
Bill where the funds came from to pay doctor recommend her earned settlement.
Is is not information that was part it to -- -- and I believe I've boat club I believe.
That the donors to be anonymous donors.
Actually.
Terminated their agreement with the city and all of the funds came from public funds -- none of it was blue end of the day but the way at the end subsidiary would be somebody is buying ms.
-- science.
Know what they're doing is they're buying her contract she earned -- -- she had a contract earning 350000.
Dollars a year.
She actually three months before that -- different before that termination her contract was renewed.
And it's for that reason.
That she -- entitled to every nickel that she received.
The judge council weitzman the way of really appreciate you being on the show is very contentious issue and our viewers -- really have a lot of input on this one -- -- but.
You came on the show we appreciate that thanks very much so.
Thanks for having me take.
