Weiss trial postponed
The federal trial for gay nightclub owner Michael Weiss, who is accused of underreporting income from one of his clubs, has been postponed until this summer.
Weiss was indicted in January on several counts of tax fraud and had been scheduled for trial April 12, but Judge John Fullam agreed to a defense request for a continuance at a hearing April 8.
Also at the hearing, Weiss’ bail agreement was modified to allow him to travel to the Central District of Pennsylvania and to Delaware. After pleading not guilty to the charges in February, Weiss was released on $250,000 bail with instructions that he could only travel in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Southern District of California, where he owns property.
The grand-jury indictment alleges that Weiss, who co-owns Woody’s with his brother and is the president of the board of Voyeur, underreported the earnings of Spring Garden Street locale Palmer Social Club, for which he oversaw the financials, by more than $1.6 million between 2004-05.
Sortman heads up PGN ad department
Tami Sortman, president of the Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus, has joined the PGN team as the new marketing and advertising director.
Sortman, who has 18 years of experience in the field, most recently served as vice president of local marketing-communications agency Altus Group Inc., where she also was the editor of LGBT visitors’ directory the Navigaytour.
Sortman currently holds board positions with numerous LGBT groups — including the Mayor’s Advisory Board on LGBT Affairs, Delaware Valley Legacy Fund advisory board and the Gay and Lesbian International Sports Federation (North America and International) — and is also a member of the board of the Washington West Civic Association and the board of directors and marketing board of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, among several other endeavors.
Sortman said she’s eager to use her extensive marketing and advertising experiences within the local LGBT community to fuel PGN’s growth.
“I am excited about this new challenge at this point in my life, and I look forward to helping take PGN to the next level for the community,” Sortman said.
Women launch networking group
Lesbian, bisexual and transgender women are invited to the kickoff event for the new LBT Women in Business group, 6-8 p.m. April 20 at Stir, 1705 Chancellor St.
The group, spearheaded by Samantha Hutcherson, Megan Smith and Pamela Walker, is launching in partnership with the Independence Business Alliance, the city’s LGBT chamber of commerce.
LBT Women in Business will bring together female professionals and business owners to promote the economic growth, advocacy and advancement of all members of the community.
For more information, call (215) 557-0190 or visit www.independencebusinessalliance.com.
Walk against sexual assault
Women Organized Against Rape will hold a walk and education fair April 24 to raise awareness about sexual violence.
Walkers will depart from the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, 2125 Chestnut St., at noon and head to Speak Out, an event in the second-floor Independence Ballroom of the Independence Visitors Center, Sixth and Market streets.
Speak Out, which will run from 12:30-3 p.m., will feature informational booths from anti-violence organizations, survivor speakers, live music, raffles and children’s activities.
For more information, e-mail Jill Maier at [email protected].
— Jen Colletta