HomeMy WebLinkAbout163 CrooksMr. Curtis Crooks
R. D. 2
Shinglehouse, PA 16748
Re: No. 82 -87 -C (FIS)
Dear Mr. Crooks:
STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
308 FINANCE BUILDING
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17120
ORDER OF THE COMMISSION
October 20, 1982
Order No. 163
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 by May 1, 1982, as required by the State Ethics Act.
A. Findings:
1. An on -site audit of the Financial Interest Statements for The Oswayo
Valley School District was conducted on April 8, 1982, by Kevin McClincy,
State Ethics Commission Auditor /Investigator. The audit identified you as a
non - filer.
2. a. You served as a school board member for Oswayo Valley School District
during the year 1981.
b. You currently serve as a school board member for Oswayo Valley School
District.
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, 65 P.S. 404(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 that he holds
such a position and of the year after he leaves such a
position. 65 P.S. 404(a)
Curtis Crooks
October 20, 1982
Page 2
Incumbent public officials in governmental bodies other
than those specified in subsection (a) of this section 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.
a. This letter was dated April 23, 1982.
b. This letter was mailed to you at the address of R. D. 2, Shinglehouse,
PA, 16748.
c. This letter was mailed certified, return receipt requested, #0017973.
The returned receipt (green card) was signed by you on April 29, 1982
as received.
d. We received no response to this letter.
5. Another letter was addressed to you by Edward M. Seladones, executive
director.
a. This letter wes dated July 12, 1982.
b. This letter was mailed to you at the address of R. D. 2, Shinglehouse,
PA, 16748.
c. This letter was mailed certified, return receipt requested, '#0017973.
The return receipt (green card) was signed by you on July 14, 1982 as
received.
d. We received no response to this letter.
6. To date you have failed to file a Financial Interest Statement as required
by the State Ethics Act. This failure was recently verified with our contact
person at the school district office.
Curtis Crooks
October 20, 1982
Page 3
B. Discussion: You were obligated by the provisions of the State Ethics Act
as cited above to file a Financial Interest Statement by May 1, 1982. You
have failed to file such a statement and apparently refuse to do so despite
being advised of this requirement as set forth above. In addition, the Ethics
Act, Section 4(d) provides that:
No public official shall be allowed to take the oath of
office or enter or continue upon his duties, nor shall he
receive compensation from public funds, unless he has
filed a statement of financial interests with the
commission as required by this act.
C. 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) or 4(d) of the Ethics Act, 65 P.S. 409(b) and 404(d)
respectively.
This conclusion and the above information will be forwarded to the
District Attorney of Potter County for his review and possible action.
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 available as a public document within 15 days after service
unless you file documentation with the Commission which justifies
reconsideration and /or challenges pertinent factual findings. See 51 Pa. Code
2.38. During this 15 -day period, no one, including the Respondent unless he
waives his right to challenge thisUrTer, 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 one year or both, see
65 P.S. 409(e).
PJS /jc
Sincerely,
`haul J. Sa
Chairman