Adviser to dad: ?We were shocked?

As more controversy over spending in the mayoral campaign of City Councilman Keiffer Mitchell Jr. erupted Tuesday, a key adviser to his father said the imbroglio could have been avoided if the campaign had not gone to the media.

“We were shocked; Dr. [Keiffer] Mitchell [Sr.] was shocked. You have questions about the money, and we said we?ll talk, then they hold a press conference the next day,” said veteran campaigner Larry Gibson, who represents Dr. Mitchell. “They went to the press without giving Dr. Mitchell a chance to respond.”