HomeMy WebLinkAbout79-538 CormanTO:
RE:
FACTS:
DISCUSSION:
CONCLUSION:
Prizes as income
Accepting a prize in
receipt of income, but is
If the value of the prize
should be reported on the
STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
P. 0. Box 1179
Harrisburg, PA 17108
ADVICE OF CHIEF COUNSEL
October 26, 1979
J. Doyle Corman, Jr.
219 West High Street
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Advice Number 79 -538
On September 24, 1979, the Commission received a
request for advice from Senator Corman. He advised the
Commission that he won third prize in a contest to
guess the weight of a unit train being dedicated in
Bigler, Pennsylvania.
Senator Corman asked if receipt of the third
prize, a stereo, constituted a gift which had to be
reported, "or in fact, not even accepted."
Section 2 defines income as "any money or thing
of value to be received "; therefore, the prize is
income.
Section 5(b)(5) requires that the individual
report "the name and address of any person who is the
direct or indirect source of income totalling in the
aggregate of $500 or more."
a contest constitutes the
not a violation of Act 170.
is greater than $500, it
Financial Interest Statement.
Pursuant to Section 7(9)(ii), this advice is a
complete defense in any enforcement proceeding initiated
by the Commission, and evidence of good faith conduct
in any other civil or criminal proceeding, providing
the requestor has disclosed truthfully all the material
facts and committed the acts complained of in reliance
on the advice given.
J. Doyle Corman, Jr.
October 26, 1979
page 2 of 2
A personal appearance before the Commission and a
formal opinion will be issued upon your request, if you
feel this reply does not suffice.
This letter is a public record and will be made
available as such.
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pAVID RITTENH JJSE MORRISON
Chief Counse