Submitted by Ken Wolfe City work crews were seen today wearing T-shirts supporting the candidacy of Jeffrey Koch. They were photographed by a supporter of Mr. Koch's opponent, Bruce Kraus. Click photo for larger image.

The City of Pittsburgh's celebrated Redd-up Crew was photographed today wearing campaign T-shirts, spurring disciplinary warnings.

Photos taken by Ken Wolfe, a campaign worker for city council challenger Bruce Kraus, show three or four city Public Works Department employees wearing green shirts bearing the words, "Elect Jeff Koch, City Council, District 3."

The crews were clearing a lot near the corner of Allen Avenue and Industry Street, which is in Mr. Koch's district, where he faces a stiff challenge from Mr. Kraus.

Mr. Wolfe said his father, Harry Wolfe, saw the workers, and called the Kraus campaign. Ken Wolfe then rushed out and snapped several pictures with a digital camera at around 9:30 this morning.

One of the workers photographed is Ray Sansone, treasurer of the Koch campaign, though the pictures do not clearly show whether he was wearing a campaign shirt. Ken Wolfe said he was.

"I said, 'Ray, what's up with the T-shirts?' " Mr. Wolfe said. "He said, 'I can wear any T-shirt I want.' "

Mr. Sansone could not immediately be reached for comment.

Ken Wolfe said he later returned to the scene and was met by Kevin Quigley, manager of the Redd-up Campaign. He said Mr. Quigley threatened to call the police on him for "harassing" city workers while on the job. Mr. Wolfe then called 911, and a police officer arrived but made no arrests.

"Ken Wolfe and Ken Wolfe's dad were following [the crew] around more or less harassing them, taking photos," Mr. Quigley said.

Nonetheless, he said he knew taking the pictures wasn't illegal.

The employees were told to take off the shirts, and did so, Mr. Quigley said. "They were chewed out," he said.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said four employees photographed with Koch campaign shirts on will be suspended without pay for five days for working out of uniform, and their conduct in wearing campaign clothing will be referred to the Ethics Hearing Board. The administration would not immediately name the employees or say when the suspensions would start.

"The conduct of certain Public Works employees today was unethical, inexcusable and unacceptable," he said in a statement.