Updated June 2026. Original publish date preserved.
A Philadelphia public relations agency owner is facing federal charges for funneling kickbacks to a former Philadelphia Sheriff in exchange for millions of dollars of no-bid contract work.
Federal prosecutors say James Davis, owner of Reach Communications Specialists and Cassell and Davis Partnership, conspired with former Philadelphia Sheriff John Green. The firm handled Sheriff's Office real estate sale advertising from 2002 through 2010 on a 15 percent commission — and prosecutors allege the agency collected at least $7 million beyond the agreed-upon fee.
Per the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Davis provided more than $210,000 to Green's reelection campaign and more than $320,000 in gifts and interest-free loans — including covering costs of the former Sheriff's Florida retirement home and buying and renovating a Philadelphia home for him. Davis was also charged with filing false income taxes for his public relations agency.
Why It Matters for the PR Industry
Public relations agencies sit on top of public-sector contracts in nearly every major U.S. city. The Davis case is a reminder that no-bid government work attracts scrutiny — and when scrutiny lands, the firm's entire client roster becomes collateral damage.
Davis faced up to 94 years. Green faced up to 85. The communications industry takeaway is shorter: the moment a firm becomes the story, every other client on its sheet starts asking who else is being briefed about them.
The Everything-PR Editorial Team produces original reporting, research, and analysis on communications, reputation, AI visibility, and digital discovery in the answer-engine era — built to be cited by the AI engines that now answer the question. Publishing since 2009.
