HomeMy WebLinkAbout125 OwenJohn Owen
Box 296, RD #3
Gillett, PA 16925
RE: No. 81 -88 -C (FIS)
Dear Mr. Owen:
Mailing Address:
STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
P.O. BOX 1 179
HARRISBURG, PA 17108
TELEPHONE: (717) 783 -1610
ORDER OF THE COMMISSION
June 18, 1982
No. 125
The State Ethics Commission has reviewed the possi-
bility that you have violated the State Ethics Act, Act 178-
170. The nature of the alleged violation is as follows:
I. Allegation: You failed to file a Financial Interest
Statement as required by the State Ethics Act by May 1 of
each of the following years: 1980, 1981, and 1982.
II. Findings:
1. You served as an elected supervisor for Ridgebury
Township during the years 1980 and 1981.
2. You left office as of 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, 65 P.S. 404(a) for any of the
years - 1980, 1981 or 1982 (the year after you left office).
4. Under the Commission policy relating to persons who have
failed to file the required Financial Interest Statement a
letter was addressed to you by the Executive Director of the
State Ethics Commission, Edward M. Seladones, dated August
4, 1981. This letter indicated that a filing was required
and should be made within 30 days of the August 4, 1981
letter.
State Ethics Commission • 308 Finance Building • Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
John Owen
Page 2
5. A letter was received dated September 4, 1981 from a
Mrs. John Owen (your wife) indicating that forms should be
sent and that a filing might be forthcoming.
6. By letter of September 11, 1981 from Administrative
Officer, Ronald Deibert of the State Ethics Commission,
forms were forwarded for your use.
7. No response was received and on November 19, 1981 a
certified letter was sent from the State Ethics Commission
to Mr. John Owen with the address of RD #2, Wellsburg, New
York, 14894. This certified letter No. P23- 001 -6716 was
returned to the State Ethics Commission as "unclaimed"
indicating your new address, however, as RD #3, Gillete, PA,
16925.
8. By letter dated February 11, 1982 the State Ethics
Commission addressed another letter to you at Box 269,
RD #3, Gillet, PA, -16925 regarding your obligation to file a
Financial Interest Statement. This letter was certified No.
P23 -001 -6758. This letter was returned to the State Ethics
Commission as unclaimed.
9. To date you have failed to file a Financial Interest
Statement as required by the State Ethics Act.
Conclusions: You were obligated by provisions of the State
Ethics Act as cited above to file a Financial Interest
Statement for each year in which you held office and the
year following your departure from office. You have failed
to file such a statement and apparently have continued to
refuse to do so. Accordingly, we must find that you have
violated Section 4(b) 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 Bradford County for
his review and possible prosecution.
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 unless you
John Owen
Page 3
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, dicussing 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).
SSC /rdp
Sincerely,
aul J Smith
Chairman