Charles Isdell Jr. was scheduled to retire as airport director of Philadelphia International (PHL) in July, but instead his last day will be Friday.
His early retirement is the result of a recent local television station investigation that questioned whether he lived in the city, as municipal employees are required to do.
“He’s a very proud public servant,” Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter said in an interview. “It was very, very clear that he felt terrible about what happened here.”
Nutter said Isdell had married a woman from Cherry Hill 18 months ago but that they kept separate houses, with his in Philadelphia. She had been ill recently, and he had been spending more time in Cherry Hill, the mayor said. Isdell opted to retire early, rather than subject his family to an investigation.
“It has been an honor and a pleasure to have served the people of this city and I want to thank all in the Nutter administration for their courtesy and support over the past year,” said Isdell in a statement released from the mayor’s office.
Isdell, 59, had worked for the city for 37 years. He had been the airport director at PHL since 2000.
