HomeMy WebLinkAbout76 WilliamsHonorable James D. Williams
House of Representatives
State Capitol
211 South Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Re: #81 -45 -C
Dear Representative Williams:
STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
308 FINANCE BUILDING
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17120
ORDER OF THE COMMISSION
September 3, 1981
No. 76
The State Ethics Commission has received a complaint
regarding you and a possible violation of Act 170 of 1978.
The Commission has now completed its investigation into
these allegations and finds no violation of Act 170.
The individual allegations and findings on which our
conclusion is based are:
I. Allegation: That you influenced the election of polling -
place officials through the use of your public- office
privileges by using stationery bearing the "Seal of the
Commonwealth" and the House of Representatives' letterhead,
Despite the disclaimer "Paid for by the Private funds
of James Williams," this was alleged to have violated
the Ethics Act.
Findings /Discussion: Section 3(a) of Act 170 prohibits
public officials or public employees from using their
public office or confidential information received
through that office to obtain financial gain other than
compensation provided for by law for the official
employee or a member of their immediate family.
You did distribute an announcement of your support
for certain candidates and asking others to also support
their candidacy. This announcement included the "Seal
of the Commonwealth" and the House of Representatives'
letterhead.
Honorable James D. Williams
September 3, 1981
Page -2-
You did pay for the printing and distribution of
this letterhead from your personal funds.
The Ethics Act does not restrict communications between
the electors and their representatives unless that relationship
is used for illegal - personal financial gain. There was no
specific allegation or evidence discovered during our investigation
that you realized any personal- financial gains from these
activities.
Our files in this case will remain confidential in
accordance with Section 8(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 P.S.
408(a). However, this Order is final and will become avail-
able as a public document within 15 days unless you file
documentation with the Commission which justifies recon-
sideration and /or challenges pertinent factual findings.
During this 15 -day period, no one, including the Re-
spondent and /or Complainant, may violate this confidentiality
by releasing, discussing or circulating this Order. Any
person who violates the confidentiality of a Commission
proceeding is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not
more than $1000 or imprisoned for not more than one year or
both, see 65 P.S. 409(e).
PJS /.jc
Conclusion: The use of the Commonwealth Seal and the
House of Representatives' letterhead on a document paid
for with personal funds for political -party purposes is
not a violation of Act 170.
Sincerely,
Paul . Smith
Chairman