HomeMy WebLinkAbout285 SandersMr. Ray H. Sanders
7920 Colespring Road
Girard, PA 16417
RE: No. 83 -154 -C & No. 83 -155 -C
Dear Mr. Sanders:
STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
308 FINANCE BUILDING
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17120
ORDER OF THE COMMISSION
March 19, 1984
Order No. 285
The State Ethics Commission has reviewed the possibility that you have
violated the State Ethics Act, Act 170 -1978. The nature of the alleged
violation is as follows.
I. Allegation: That you, a Supervisor of Girard Township, Erie County,
violated Section 5(b)(5) of the Ethics Act, 65 P.S. 405(b)(5), by failing to
report income from Girard Township.
A. Findings:
1. You are a Township Supervisor of Girard Township, Erie County, and
are subject to the Statement of Financial Interest filing requirements of Act
170 -1978, the State Ethics Act.
2. You were a candidate for re- election in the 1983 election. You filed
your Statement of Financial Interests with the State Ethics Commission as a
candidate on March 11, 1983.
3. You advised our investigator that your income from Girard Township
was $275 per month in calendar year 1982, and you also received social
security benefits.
4. On December 5, 1983, the Commission received your "amended" Statement
of Financial Interests listing Girard Township as a source of income for
calendar year 1982 and social security income.
B Discussion:
Section 5. Statement of financial interests.
(b) The statement shall include the following information
for the prior calendar year with regard to the person
required to file the statement and the members of his
immediate family:
Mr. Ray H. Sanders March 19, 1984
Page 2
(5) The name and address of any person who is the
direct or indirect source of income totalling in
the aggregate of $500 or more. However, this
provision shall not be construed to require the
divulgence of confidential information protected
by statute or existing professional codes of
ethics. 65 P.S. 405(b)(5).
The State Ethics Commission regulations exempt social security payments
and they do not have to be reported.
We received your "amended" Statement of Financial Interests on December
5, 1983, and it listed Girard Township as a source of income. Although the
March 11, 1983 statement was deficient, the Commission will accept the amended
version. A copy is being sent to Girard Township.
We found no intent on your part to deceive or conceal information. It is
public knowledge that you are a Supervisor in Girard Township and receive
income as a Supervisor. Although you reported social security income on your
amended form, this source of income is not required. The information is now
available to the public and we will take no further action.
C. Conclusion: Although you technically violated Section 5(b)(5) of the
State Ethics Act, the amended and original Statements of Financial Interests
are available for public inspection and there was no intent to deceive or
conceal this information. The _Commission will take no further action on this
matter.
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
be made available as a public document 15 days after service (defined as
mailingY 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 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 $1,000 or imprisoned
for not more than one year or both, see 65 P.S. 409(e).
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(2) The occupations or professions of the person
required to file the statement and those of his
immediate family. 65 P.S. 405(b)(2).
By the Commission,
(1Y
Paul J. Smith
Chairman