From The Philadelphia Inquirer, 7/31/04:
Nader office shuts down as workers seek pay
...
Many of the circulators were never paid, according to outreach workers
and interviews with several men who had collected signatures.

"A lot of us were scammed," said Ed Seip, 52, who said he collected
more than 200 signatures for Nader.

Slevin began hiring petition circulators two weeks ago with classified
advertisements in newspapers and on the Internet.

Petition circulators were told they would be paid from 75 cents to $1
for each valid signature.

Half of the money was to be delivered at the end of the day and the
balance paid by check the following Wednesday.

But people who showed up Wednesday described a chaotic situation.

Lines moved slowly as Slevin and one assistant, protected by armed
guards, vetted the petitions for obviously forged signatures.

Many in line were shouting and claiming they had been underpaid.

As tensions grew, police were called.

By day's end, many left without being paid.

Those who returned the next day found the office empty.


From The Philadelphia Inquirer, 7/31/04:
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/9288457.htm?ERIGHTS=-2928763887339786810philly::rivrvu@ix.netcom.com&KRD_RM=6posnmstmpruspnrsmmmmmmmmn|Harry|Y

Nader office shuts down as workers seek pay

By Michael Currie Schaffer

Inquirer Staff Writer


Ralph Nader's presidential campaign this week abruptly abandoned the
Center City office that housed its efforts to get on the Pennsylvania
ballot, leaving behind a mess of accusations and a damaged building.

The office, on the 1500 block of Chestnut Street, was emptied Thursday
after a raucous scene the night before.

Police were called as dozens of homeless people lined up to collect
money they said they were owed for circulating petitions on the
candidate's behalf.

Many of the circulators were never paid, according to outreach workers
and interviews with several men who had collected signatures.

"A lot of us were scammed," said Ed Seip, 52, who said he collected
more than 200 signatures for Nader.