HomeMy WebLinkAbout147 SprowlsMr. Richard Sprowls
Wayne Street
Claysville, PA 15323
Re: No. 82 -46C (FIS)
Dear Mr. Sprowls:
STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
308 FINANCE BUILDING
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17120
ORDER OF THE COMMISSION
July 28, 1982
No. 147
The State Ethics Commission has reviewed the possibility that you have
violated the State Ethics Act, Act 178 -170. The nature of the alleged
violation is as follows:
I. Allegation: That as a public official you failed to file a Financial
Interest Statement as required by the State Ethics Act.
II. Findings:
1. An on -site audit of the Financial Interest Statements for Claysville
Borough was conducted on February 10, 1982, by Kevin McClincy, State Ethics
Commission Auditor /Investigator. The audit indentified you as a non - filer.
2. a. You served as Borough Councilman for Claysville Borough during the year
1981.
b. You have since resigned your position effective December, 1981.
3. You have not filed a Financial Interest Statement as required by the State
Ethics Act as set forth in Section 4(a) of the Ethics Act and regulations as
follows:
Each public employee employed by the Commonwealth shall
file a statement of financial interests for the preceding
calendar year with the department, agency or bureau in
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. Any other public employee shall file a
statement of financial interests with the governing
authority of the political subdivision by which he is
employed no later than May 1 of each year after he leaves
such a position. 65 P.S. 404(a).
Mr. Richard Sprowls
July 28, 1981
Page 2
Incumbent public officials in governmental bodies other
than those specified in subsection (a) of this seciton who
are not candidates shall file their Statement of
Financial Interests only with their governmental body. 51
Pa. Code 4.4(b).
4. Under the Commission policy relating to persons who have failed to file
the required Financial Interest Statement a certified letter was addressed to
you by the Executive Director of the State Ethics Commission, Edward M.
Seladones, dated February 18, 1982. This letter indicated that a filing was
required and should be made by you. This certified letter No. P23 001677 was
signed for on February 25, 1982, by you as received.
5. To date you have failed to file a Financial Interest Statement as required
by the State Ethics Act. This failure was recently verified on April 23,
1982, by contact with Jean Melvin, Borough Secretary.
Discussion: You were obligated by the provisions of the State Ethics Act as
cited above to file a Financial Interest Statement for each year you hold
office and for the year after you leave office. Former public officials shall
file a Statement of Financial Interests for their last year of service by May
1 of the succeeding year. This statement shall be filed at the same offices
where they filed when they were incumbent officials. You have failed to file
such a statement and apparently refuse to do so despite being advised of the
requirement as set forth above.
Conclusion: Accordingly, we must find that you have violated Section 4(a)
of the State Ethics Act and are subject to the penalties as set forth in
Section 9(b) of the Ethics Act, 65 P.S. 409(b).
This conclusion and the above information will be forwarded to the
District Attorney of Washington County for their review and possible
prosecution.
Our files in this case will remain confidential in accordance with
Section 3(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 P.S. 408(a). However, this Order is final
and will become available as a public document within 15 days unless you file
documentation with the Commission which justifies reconsideration and /or
challenges pertinent factual findings. During this 15 -day period, no one,
including the Respondent unless he waives his right to challenge this Order,
may violate this confidentiality by releasing, discussing or circulating this
Order.
Mr. Richard Sprowls
July 28, 1982
Page 3
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 /na
Sincerely,
t
Chairman