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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). RED /rdp (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