HomeMy WebLinkAbout148 BeckMs. Patricia Beck
P.O. Box 83
Cassandra, PA 15925
Re: No. 82 -36C (FIS)
Dear Ms. Beck:
II. Findings:
STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
308 FINANCE BUILDING
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17120
ORDER OF THE COMMISSION
July 28, 1982
No. 148
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.
1. An on -site audit of the Financial Interest Statements for Cassandra
Borough was conducted on November 24, 1981, by Kevin McClincy, State Ethics
Commission Auditor /Investigator. The audit indentified you as a non - filer.
2. a. You served as Borough Auditor for Cassandra Borough during the year
1981.
b. You have since resigned your position.
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).
Ms. Patricia Beck
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 December 21, 1981. This letter indicated that a filing was
required and should be made by you.
a. You responded to that letter by returning the original letter and form with
the writtin words "refused because of ill health" across the front of the
letter.
b. Further inquiries to the Borough Secretary, Delores Mauer, indicate to us
that you performed audits in 1981, and that you were appointed because the
elected auditors refused to do the audits. Secretary Mauer also indicated
that you no longer hold the position of auditor.
5. A certified letter was sent to you on February 9, 1982, telling you to
contact us about your filing requirement. You received that letter and
responded with a telephone call to Ron Deibert of this office. You were again
reminded of the requirement to file the Financial Interest Statement. The
nature of your illness was never determined.
6. To date you have failed to file a Financial Interest Statement as required
by the State Ethics Act.
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 Cambria County for their review and possible
prosecution.
Ms. Patricia Beck
July 28, 1982
Page 3
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.
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,
- -"Paul J. mith
Chai rma