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HomeMy WebLinkAbout316 EwellMr. Jordon Ewell 104 Balm Street Harrisburg, PA 17103 RE: 84 -77 -C Dear Mr. Ewell: 1. Allegation: STATE ETHICS COMMISSION 308 FINANCE BUILDING HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17120 ORDER OF THE COMMISSION May 9, 1984 Order No. 316 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: That as a public employee, you failed to file a Statement of Financial Interests for calendar year 1982 by May 1, 1983, as required by the State Ethics Act and regulations. A. Findings: 1. An audit of the Statements of Financial Interests for calendar year 1982 required to be filed by May 1, 1983, was conducted by the State Ethics Commission. Your statement was not on file. 2. You served as Commissioner of Planning and Development in the Department of Health during calendar year 1982. a. You resigned or left this position on September 17, 1982. b. You were a public employee as that term is used in the Ethics Act and upon leaving your position became a former public employee and as such are subject to the act. 3. You-had not filed a Statement of Financial Interests for calendar year 1982 according to our records, so the following steps were undertaken to secure your filing. 4. A letter was mailed to you by the Executive Director of the State Ethics Commission, Edward M. Seladones. a. This fetter was dated November 15, 1983. b. This letter was addressed to you at 104 Balm Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17103. Mr. Jordon Ewell Page 2 May 9, 1984 c. This letter was mailed regular mail first class. d. We received no response to this letter, 5. Another letter was sent to you by the Executive Director of the State Ethics Commission, Edward M. Seladones. a. This letter was dated December 21, 1983, b. This letter was addressed to you at 104 Balm Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17103. c. This letter was mailed certified, return receipt requested, No. 448327671. It was returned unclaimed on January 8, 1984. 6, We have not received your Statement of Financial Interests as of the data of this Order. B. Discussion: Section 4(a) of the Ethics Act states: Section 4. Statement of Financials Interests required to be filed. (a) Each public employee employed by the Commonwealth shall file a statement of financial interest 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 finaicial 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). You were required to file a Statement of Financial Interests for calendar year 1982 by May 1, 1983. You did not file this statement and have not responded to our frequent attempts to contact you to determine reasons for this failure to file. We believe you are aware of your filing requirement and are ignoring that requirement. Section 9(b) of the law states: Mr. Jordon Ewell May 9, 1984 Page 3 Section 9. Penalties. Any person who violates the provisions of 3(c) or (h) or Section 4 is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than 51000 or imprisoned for not more than one year or be both fined and imprisoned. 65 P.S. 409(b). We are forwarding this Order to the appropriate law enforcement officials for their review and' possible action. C. Conclusion: We find that you have violated Section 4(a) of the Ethics Act and are subject to the penalties set forth in Section 9(b). This order will be forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement officials for their 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 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 51,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year, or be both fined and imprisoned, see 65 P.S. 409(e). By the Commission, Paul JVSmi th Chairman cc: Ken Bausinger, Personnel Officer, PennDOT - Sheryl Cohen, Governor's Office tMS /rdp Sherry Wright, Personnel Officer, PennDOT Mr. Jordan Ewell Delaware River Port Authority Bridge Plaza Camden, New Jersey 08101 Re: Order No. 316; File No. 84 -77 -C Dear Mr. Ewell: SSC /jc cc: Robert L. Keuch Executive Deputy Attorney General Att. Marling Address STATE ETHICS COMMISSION P.O. BOX 1 179 HARRISBURG, PA 17108 TELEPHONE: 1717) 783 -1610 June 13, 1984 This acknowledges the receipt, by our office, of your Statement of Financial Interests on June 13, 1984. You had a 15 -day period to request reconsideration by the Commission in this matter and this period expired on May 29, 1984. The Order of the State Ethics Commission is final and public and has been referred to the Office of the Attorney General for its review and possible action. I suggest you contact the Attorney General's Office at Strawberry Square, 16th Floor, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120. However, I am forwarding a copy of your Statement of Financial Interests to that office for consideration and will make a copy of this letter part of the public Order in this case. Sincerely, Safidra S. Chri Vii. nson General Counsel State Ethics Commission • 308 Finance Building • Harrisburg, Pennsylvania