HomeMy WebLinkAbout79-547 WilliamsonTO:
DISCUSSION:
:
STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
P. 0. Box 1179
Harrisburg, PA 17108
ADVICE OF CHIEF COUNSEL
November 14, 1979
J. Michael Williamson, Esquire
226 East Water Street
Lock Haven, PA 17745
Advice Number 79 - 547
RE: Filing responsibilities for a solicitor serving
more than one municipality
FACTS:
On September 21, 1979, J. Michael Williamson wrote
the Commission asking the following question: "If an
attorney is a solicitor for more than one municipality
is it sufficient to file only one financial disclosure
or must a separate disclosure be filed for each
municipality ?"
Section 4(a), in the first sentence, states the
requirements of public employees employed by the
Commonwealth. The second sentence states:
Any other employee shall file a Statement of
Financial Interest with the governing
authority of the political subdivision by
which he is employed no later than May 1 of
each year that he holds such a position and
of the year after he leaves such a position.
Therefore, it would appear that you should file a
Financial Interest Statement with respect to each of
the municipalities of which you are solicitor. I see
nothing wrong with preparing one master Financial
Interest Statement and then making photostatic copies
of it for distribution to your municipality clients.
Where an attorney represents more than one muni-
cipality, he must file a Financial Interest Statement
with each of the municipalities he represents.
79 -07
CONCLUSION:
J. Michael Williamson, Esquire
November 14, 1979
page 2
Where an attorney represents more than one muni-
cipality, he must file a Financial Disclosure Statement
with each of the municipalities he represents.
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.
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.
DAVI RITTENHOUSE MORRISON
Chief Counsel