HomeMy WebLinkAbout688-R JamisonMr. Clair C. Jamison
c/o Thomas R. Ceraso, Esquire
Ceraso & Tarosky
126 North Maple Avenue
Greensburg, PA 15601
Re: 86 -043 -C
Dear Mr. Jamison:
STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
308 FINANCE BUILDING
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17120
ORDER OF THE COMMISSION
Order No. 688 -R
Before: Helena G. Hughes, Chair
Robert W. Brown, Vice Chair
W. Thomas Andrews
G. Sieber Pancoast
James M. Howley
Date Decided: September 26, 1989
Date Mailed: September 28, 1989
The State Ethics Commission has received a complaint regarding
you and a possible violation of Act 170 of 1978. The Commission has
now completed its investigation. The individual allegations,
conclusions, and findings on which those conclusions
are based are as follows:
I. Allegation: That you, a Supervisor in Venango Township,
Butler County, violated the following provisions of the Ethics Act
(Act 170 of 1978) when you received a finders fee from a coal company
regulated by the township while participating in official township
decisions affecting that coal company's operation on the land for
which you were paid the fee.
Section 3. Restricted Activities.
(a) No public official or public employee shall
use his public office or any confidential
information received through his holding public
office to obtain financial gain other than
compensation provided by law for himself, a member
of his immediate family, or a business with which
he is associated. 65 P.S. 5403(a).
Mr. Clair C. Jamison
Page 2
A. Findings:
1. You served as a township supervisor in Venango Township, Butler
County, Pennsylvania.
a. You served in this position from January, 1980 until you
resigned in 1984.
2. Minutes of the Venango Township Supervisor's meetings provided as
follows regarding the instant situation:
a. January 7, 1980 - Supervisors Clair C. Jamison, Ronald
Kohlmeyer, and Raymond Tinker. Motion is passed to have
Gary Kohlmeyer take the minutes of the meeting.
b. November 30, 1980 - Merle Yohre was present to obtain a
variance to mine within 100 feet of T -518. Pengrove Coal
Company, a division of Adobe Mining Company agrees not to
mine closer than 30 feet from the centerline of T -518.
Supervisors present - Clair Jamison and Ronald Kohlmeyer.
c. December 8, 1981 - Supervisor Clair Jamison made a motion to
accept the cash bond from Kerry Coal Company without
interest for Township Road T -657. Ronald Kohlmeyer seconded
the motion. Motion carried.
d. January 4, 1982 - Supervisors Clair Jamison, Ronald
Kohlmeyer and Gary Clark were present. Gary Kohlmeyer was
nominated to be secretary /treasurer, motion was carried.
e. February 2, 1982 - Merle Yohre of Adobe Coal Company was
present. The Board of Supervisors gave Adobe Coal Company a
variance on T -534 to mine within 30 feet of the center line
of the Township Road T -534.
f. June 7, 1982 - Supervisors decided to send Kerry Coal
Company a certified letter giving them ten days to tar and
chip Campbell Road, If they did not tar and chip within the
ten days, the Supervisors would have a load of calcium put
on Campbell Road at Kerry Coal's expense. Gary Clark made
the motion and it was seconded by Clair Jamison. The motion
carried.
The supervisors decided to take action against B & D Coal
Company concerning the DeSale & Gibson Roads. Either a
meeting was to be set up and some decisions to be made
concerning putting back DeSale and Gibson Roads or the
i
Mr. Clair C. Jamison
Page 3
g
solicitor for the township would have to start proceedings
to lift B & D Coal Company bond.
Supervisors present: Kohlmeyer, Jamison and Clark.
January 3, 1983 - Supervisors present: Ronald Kohlmeyer,
Clair Jamison and Gary Clark.
Jamison was voted Chairman.
Moniteau District School Board notified Jamison (Chairman)
about the potholes on T -504 and Campbell Road T -657. The
Secretary was to send a certified letter to Kerry Coal
Company notifying them on maintenance needed on said roads
within days.
h. January 3, 1984 - Supervisors present: Clair Jamison, Gary
Clark, and Harry Noll. Gary Kohlmeyer was voted as
secretary /treasurer.
Jamison was voted Chairman.
A variance was granted to Adobe Mining Company for sections
of T -504 and T -657. There is to be no over burden or coal
removed closer than thirty feet from the center line of
these roads.
i. June 4, 1984 - Letter of resignation from Clair Jamison is
read; Noll made a motion to accept Jamison's letter of
resignation, seconded by Supervisor Leonard Hartle.
Residents present a petition to impeach Supervisor Clair
Jamison, for inconsistencies and discrepancies while holding
office.
January 7, 1985 - Supervisors present: Joe Kelly, Harry
Noll, and Leonard Hartle.
Gary Kohlmeyer was appointed secretary /treasurer.
The run around on Campbell Road was discussed with Mr.
Kerry from Kerry Coal Company. Kerry to grade the road and
put limestone on it and have it completed in one week.
k. March 4, 1985 - Supervisor Kelly made a motion to see the
solicitor about starting procedures to lift the bond on
Campbell Road and Jamison Road since Kerry Coal Company has
not lived up to the agreement. Motion was seconded by
Hartle, and carried.
Mr. Clair C. Jamison
Page 4
1. July 1, 1985 - General discussion of the conditions of the
township roads.
3. Records of Venango Township indicate a bond to the township from
Kerry Coal Company, Portersville, Pennsylvania.
a. This bond is in the amount of $10,000 which was paid to the
township to be deposited in an interest bearing account.
b. Kerry Coal Company agreed to maintain all township roads
used by the Company pursuant to the permit issued by the
township.
c. The roads are to be left in "as good" or "better"
conditions then found.
d. The township may require Kerry Coal Company to post
additional security and the Company is to pay the township
$1,000 for the purpose of construction of a "run around" on
a portion of the property of William Campbell.
e. The Company is to pay the township $1,000 for the purpose of
constructing a "run around" on a portion of the property of
William Campbell.
f. Kerry Coal Company is to be notified by certified mail of
any maintenance needs.
g. The bond is signed by V. Kerry, President, Gail Kerry,
Secretary and M. Rusaack, Witness.
4. A Venango Township log regarding road bonds indicates the
following in relation to Kerry Coal Company:
Date Amount Company Roa
May 14, 1982 $5,000 Kerry Coal Company T -657
March 14, 1982 $5,000 Kerry Coal Company T -657
a. The log does not reflect that the bond was ever returned to
the company.
b. Kerry Coal Company is still using road T -657.
5. Records of Venango Township include the following documents
regarding the instant situation:
a. Letter dated December 9, 1981 from the Venango Township
Supervisors:
Mr. Clair C. Jamison
Page 5
The supervisors of Venango Township, Butler County,
Pennsylvania, do not object to Kerry Coal Company mining
within the 100 foot limit of the right -of -way of township
road T -657. Kerry Coal Company will provide a protective
earth barrier approximately 4 foot high along the edge of
the right -of -way.
Signed by Clair Jamison and Ronald Kohlmeyer on December 11,
1981 before Frances Hilliard, notary public.
(1) The allowance of mining within the 100 foot limit of
the right -of -way of township road T -657 is on the
Campbell property on which you secured a coal mining
lease for Kerry Coal Company.
b. The township minutes contained no evidence of the above
action being approved by the Township Board of Supervisors
at a township meeting.
c. Letter from Kerry Coal Company dated January 7, 1985 to the
Supervisors of Venango County:
Kerry Coal Company does not object to Adobe Mining Company
relocating a section of T -504 between state route 308 and T-
557.
d. Public notice dated August 29, 1985 regarding the bond
release of Stage I and deleted area bond release from the
Department of Environmental Resources for the area located
North of Township Road 657 on Campbell, Brooks and Lyons
properties in Venango Township, Butler County.
6. Department of Environmental (DER) regulations provide that no
surface mining operations shall be permitted within 100 feet of the
outside right -of -way line of any public road except: where DER with
concurrence of the agency with jurisdiction over the road allows the
public road to be relocated or the area affected to be within 100 feet
after; public notice, opportunity for a public hearing, and the making
of a written finding that the public interest will be protected.
7. Department of Environmental Resources regulations require the
following pre- conditions when a party seeks to mine within 100 feet of
any public road: approvals from the authority with jurisdiction over
the road; public notice (newspaper) in affected locale; opportunity
for a hearing, review of all information received at said hearing as
to affects of operations and protection of public interests.
Mr. Clair C. Jamison
Page 6
8. By way of letter dated June 8, 1982 from Gary L. Kohlmeyer,
Secretary, Board of supervisors to Kerry Coal Company, it is noted
that Kerry Coal Company must maintain all township roads used in its
operation.
a. It is also noted that dust on Campbell Road (T -657) must be
controlled and that such must be done within 10 days.
9. By way of letter dated January 7, 1983 from Gary L. Kohlmeyer,
Secretary, Board of Supervisors to Kerry Coal Company, it is noted
that repairs must be made on pot holes on T -657 and T -504 within 10
days.
10. By way of letter dated December 10, 1984 from the Venango Board
of Supervisors to Kerry Coal Company, it is noted that unlawful
garbage dumping is occurring at the Kerry job site and that such must
stop.
11. By way of letter dated December 24, 1984 from Harry A. Noll,
Chairman Venango Township Board of Supervisors to V. Y. Kerry, it is
requested that a company representative be present at the January 7,
1985 supervisors' meeting to finalize the matter concerning the run
around on Campbell Road T -657.
a. It is also noted that Kerry owed $1,136 to the township for
work done on Campbell Road by the township.
12. You had a financial relationship with Kerry Coal Company, Western
Hickory Coal Company and Kerry Brothers whereby you would secure
leases for said entities to mine for coal on privately owned property.
13. Records of Kerry Coal Company indicate the following regarding
leases to mine coal that you obtained or assisted in obtaining:
a. By agreement dated October 9, 1981, you assigned over to
Kerry Coal Company all rights to coal on land that had been
leased from Mrs. Lillian Kinder by agreement dated September
17, 1981.
(1) You were to be paid an advance royalty of $10,000 to be
deducted from royalties due when coal is actually
mined.
(2) By agreement dated October 9, 1981, you assigned over
to Kerry Coal Company all rights to coal on land that
had been leased from Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mackell by
agreement dated October 7, 1981.
(1) Your royalty was .15 per ton.
Mr. Clair C. Jamison
Page 7
c. By agreement dated December 21, 1981, you assigned over to
Kerry Coal Company all rights to coal on land that had been
leased from Clarence C. and Helene L. Whitfield by agreement
dated December 8, 1981.
(1) You were to be paid an advance royalty of $2,500 to be
deducted from royalty when earned.
(2) Your royalty was .15 per ton.
d. By agreement dated December 21, 1981, you assigned over to
Kerry Coal Company all rights to coal on land that had been
leased from Helen Kinder by agreement dated November 11,
1981.
(1) You were to be paid an advance royalty of $2,500 to be
deducted from royalties when earned.
(2) Your royalty was .15 per ton.
e. An agreement dated December 23, 1981 signed by you, V. Y.
and Gail Kerry, William Ffennell Brinkley and C. A.
Riccuiti indicates that you were paid $2,500 advance
royalties on the properties identified in (c) and (d) above
and that there shall be no further advance overriding
royalty on any present or future lease that you obtain. All
future payments will be made when due as coal is mined. You
further agreed to secure leases exclusively for Kerry Coal
Company, Western Hickory Coal Company and Kerry Brothers.
f. By agreement dated April 14, 1983, Kerry Brothers agrees to
pay you .15 per ton for coal mined on 30 acres of land owned
by Harold L. and Gladys L. Berg and leased to Kerry
Brothers.
14. The treasurer's report outlined in the minutes of the meeting of
the township supervisors indicates the following regarding payments to
the township by Kerry Coal Company for work done on roads bonded by
Kerry:
a. November 4, 1985 - Kerry Coal Company, road repair to
Campbell and Jamison Roads, $2,088.40.
b. October 6, 1986 - Kerry Coal Company, no detail, $1,347.50.
c. Other receipts from Kerry Coal Company or a subsidiary,
between 1981 and June, 1987 as listed in the Treasurer's
report of the minutes but not documented are:
Mr. Clair C. Jamison
Page 8
(1) October 4, 1982 - Kerry Coal Company, calcium hauling,
$299.00.
(2) January 7, 1985 - Western Hickory Coal, Work T -657,
$1,136.00.
15. Records of Kerry Coal Company indicate the following regarding
payments to you:
Date
October 14, 1981
July 10, 1981
November 30, 1982
October 30, 1982
September 30, 1982
September 30, 1982
September 30, 1982
December 31, 1982
February 28, 1982
March 31, 1983
April 30, 1983
May 31, 1983
June 30, 1983
July 31, 1983
August 31, 1983
August 31, 1983
September 30, 1983
September 30, 1983
October 30, 1983
October 31, 1983
November 30, 1983
November 30, 1983
December 31, 1983
January 31, 1984
March 31, 1984
March 31, 1984
April 31, 1984
May 31, 1984
June 30, 1984
July 31, 1984
July 31, 1984
August 31, 1984
September 30, 1984
October 31, 1984
December 31, 1983
MO AM
Invoice No.
02155
02066
02673
02646
02425
02565
02562
02720
02820
02879
02927
02979
03002
02959
03105
03139
03156
03159
03124
03205
03253
03256
10
03382
03398
03469
03513
03525
03585
03639
03666
03703
03762
03826
03301
03724
September 30, 1984 03790
Amount
$10,000.00
2,500.00
326.57
272.62
111.42
162.83
1,000.00
116.09
206.44
109.93
208.53
632.13
375.68
261.92
67.54
220.49
303.30
367.04
81.14
987.81
314.17
966.93
620.97
581.65
601.96
91.08
681.85
669.56
1,451.99
1,124.90
21.59
202.16
507.84
19.16
115.35
1,162.13
Purpose
Advance on Kinder
adv royalty Campbell
override on Campbell
override on Campbell
override on Campbell
overriding Royalty
adv.
override on Campbell
override on Campbell
override
override
override
override Campbell
override
override Campbell
override Butler
override Butler
override Campbell
override Campbell
override Butler
override Campbell
override Butler
override Butler
override
E/C override
override
override
Clair override
override
override
override
override Butler
earn override
override
override Campbell
(voided)
override
Mr. Clair C. Jamison
Page 9
Date
October 31, 1984
November 30, 1984
March 31, 1984
April 31, 1984
July 31, 1984
August 31, 1984
September 30, 1984
October 31, 1984
November 30, 1984
December, 1984
December, 1984
January 31, 1985
April 30, 1985
May 31, 1985
June 30, 1985
July 31, 1985
September 30, 1985
October 31, 1985
November 30, 1985
September 30, 1985
August 31, 1985
July 31, 1985
April 30, 1985
November 30, 1985
October 31, 1985
September 30, 1985
August 31, 1985
July 31, 1985
April 30, 1985
March 31, 1985
January 31, 1985
December 31, 1985
Invoi ;e flo. Amount
03819
03902
03437
03179
03667
03697
03635
03821
03903
03957
04046
04163
04240
04296
04348
04498
04579
04605
04457
04308
04231
04082
04560
04525
04531
04445
04347
04201
04148
04047
03956
Total:
261.13
118.56
267.23
48.09
79.37
796.52
95.00
369.19
279.15
926.68
167.18
593.60
661.13
1,031.93
1,200.82
717.38
1,227.52
1,455.28
1,405.55
153.82
66.71
29.20
103.15
455.01
530.99
235.68
148.20
153.51
55.15
163.23
2,559.43
139.32
$45,090.36
J'urvose
override
override
earn Roy
earn Roy
earn Roy
earn Roy
Adv. Roy
earn Roy
earned Royalty
override R. Campbell
override R. Campbell
override R.
override R.
earned Cort
override R.
override R.
override on
override on
override
override on
override on
earned royalty
earned royalty
earned royalty
Campbell
Campbell
Campbell
Campbell
Campbell
Durst
Durst
Durst
16. Miscellaneous income statements (1099's) for Clair C. Jamison
from Vernon Y. and Gail C. Kerry, Kerry Brothers, P.O. Box 19,
Portersville, Pennsylvania, 16051, for royalties indicate the
following regarding funds received from that company:
1981 - $12,500.00
1982 - $ 1,873.44
1983 - $ 5,219.14
1984 - $10,487.32
1985 - $14,981.47
1986 - $21,965.07
Mr. Clair C. Jamison
Page 10
17. By agreement
Brinkley agree to
property that the
Jamison.
dated July 18, 1979, W. Ffennell and Marilyn S.
deed over to Kerry Brothers their 1/2 interest in
Brinkleys are going to obtain from Clair C.
a. The land consisted of 20 acres situated in Venango
Township, Butler County.
18. By agreement dated August 18, 1979 W. Ffennell and Marilyn S.
Brinkley convey to Vernon Y. and Gail C. Kerry all rights to mine
coal on property in Venango Township as evidence in an agreement
dated July 31, 1979 between the Brinkleys, Clair and Donna Jamison
and Kerry Brothers.
a. Brinkleys received $8,000 in advance royalties and the
royalty is .30 per ton.
19. By letter dated August 20, 1979, Vernon Y. Kerry forwarded to
Clair and Donna Jamison an advance royalty check of $20,000 regarding
Kerry Brothers acceptance of option and coal lease agreement dated
July 31, 1979.
20. William Brinkley provided the following information in relation
to this situation:
a. He was employed by Kerry Coal Company and assisted in
obtaining leases on properties to be strip mined for coal.
b. In 1979, he brought Clair Jamison in to assist him in
obtaining leases on properties known to Jamison.
c. He had been involved with Kerry Coal Company for
approximately 11 years.
d. He would be paid 1.3 percent or approximately .30 per ton
of coal mined on property for which he had obtained a
lease.
e. Brinkley introduced Jamison to Kerry.
f. Both he and Jamison would travel to properties to review
which ones might be appropriate for leasing to Kerry Coal
Company.
g. The amount of money paid to him for obtaining leases on
properties that he did not own was called an overriding
royalty.
Mr. Clair C. Jamison
Page 11
h. He and Jamison bought land together as owners and then
leased it to Kerry for surface mining. Kerry Coal Company
appropriately maintained all roads used in the township.
Jamison never used his public position as a supervisor in
order to assist either him or Kerry Coal Company.
i. The $1,000 allotment for a run - around contained in the
Kerry Coal Company bond with the township was not usual.
J. He and Jamison had an oral agreement to divide anything
regarding leased property involving Kerry Coal Company.
k. He had some of his own separate leases with Kerry that were
obtained before he and Jamison began working together.
1. Jamison bought another 20 acre parcel of land in Venango
Township by himself.
m. Kerry Coal Company issued checks directly to him and
Jamison separately dividing their overriding royalties.
n. Most leases ran for a term of 5 years.
o. Brinkley had no dealings with any township supervisor other
than Jamison.
21. Gary Clark provided the following information in relation to
this situation:
a. He served as a township supervisor for Venango Township
from 1981 to 1984.
b. He was not aware that Jamison was acting as a leasing agent
for Kerry Coal Company.
c. Jamison was the township's liaison with the coal companies
that were performing work in the township.
d. Both he and the other supervisor, Ronald Kohlmeyer
felt that Jamison was more familiar with these kinds of
dealings since he was in the insurance business.
e. As liaison, Jamison was supposed to deal with the
complaints of the citizens of the township against the coal
companies about roads that were not properly maintained.
f. Jamison was to work out solutions to these problems as they
arose with the coal companies.
Mr. Clair C. Jamison
Page 12
g. Kerry Coal Company was one of the entities working in the
township. They were interested in mining for the coal
under Campbell road.
h. He did not feel that Kerry Coal Company was given any
favorite treatment by the township.
i. Because Jamison did all the dealings with the township and
the coal companies, he would not be aware if Kerry had been
favored over other companies.
22. Clarabell Riccuiti provided the following information in
relation to this situation:
a. She had been employed by Kerry Coal Company for a period of
32 years until 1984. She generally worked until early
afternoon and was not aware of activities that may have
occurred at the company after she would leave for the day.
b. Jamison often visited Kerry Coal Company's offices.
c. She did not know if he was there on personal or township
business.
d. Kerry Coal Company was issuing checks to Jamison and his
wife Donna. They often asked for advances on their
overriding royalties.
e. Western Hickory Coal Company was acquired by Kerry Coal
Company in 1978 or 1979.
f. She was not aware of Jamison using his public position in
any way to assist Kerry Coal Company.
23. Gary Kohlmeyer provided the following information in relation to
this situation:
a. He served as secretary /treasurer for Venango Township for
approximately 8 years.
b. Kerry Coal Company was interested in one time of mining
parts of Campbell Road. At that time, representatives of
the Coal Company attended a township meeting to discuss
this issue.
c. Jamison was a member of the township board of supervisors at
that time.
Mr. Clair C. Jamison
Page 13
d. To the best of his knowledge, the supervisors were not
aware of Jamison's relationship financially to Kerry Coal
Company.
e. Jamison had some of his private property strip mined by
Kerry Coal Company.
f. Jamison was one of the township supervisors who was
influential in obtaining a ten ton weight limit on township
roads.
g •
Jamison acted as the township's liaison with the coal
companies. Any time there were any problems with a coal
company, the township board of supervisors would request
that Jamison take care of the matter.
h. To the best of his knowledge, Jamison would go after any
coal company, including Kerry, if they didn't maintain the
roads properly.
i. The bond executed by Kerry Coal Company was generally a
standard form. The $1,000 addition to build a run -a -round
was unique to that contract. Each bond is different
depending upon the company and the circumstances.
j.
Kerry Coal Company was held to the strictest specifications
pursuant to this bond than other coal companies had been.
k. The reason Kerry Coal Company paid the bond in two
installments of $5,000 each was that at first they only
wanted to work on one mile of the road. When they wanted
to expand to a second mile, they were required to pay the
additional $5,000.
1. Jamison told Kohlmeyer how to draft the bond for Kerry Coal
Company.
24. William D. Kemper provided the following information in relation
to this matter:
a. He was Solicitor for Venango Township from January, 1981
through December, 1983.
b. He did not recall the township conducting any business with
Kerry Coal Company.
c. He drafted the bonds for coal companies that were seeking
to use township roads to transport heavy equipment.
Mr. Clair C. Jamison
Page 14
d. He kept copies of these bonds but had no documents
regarding Kerry Coal Company.
e. Jamison was the only township official who approached him to
set up bonds for coal companies.
f. He was unaware of any business relationship between Kerry
Coal Company and Jamison.
g. It was necessary for the township to give permission for
the coal companies to mine closer than one hundred feet of
the road.
25. Vernon Kerry provided the following information in relation to
this situation:
a. He is the president and half owner of Kerry Coal Company.
b. He is also president of Western Hickory Coal Company
Incorporated, of which he owns 55% thereof. He is also a
partner in Kerry Brothers which buys and leases machines
and owns property.
c. He met Clair Jamison through William Brinkley. Brinkley
had been obtaining leases for Kerry for some time.
d. Brinkley and Jamison shared royalties on properties that
they acquired through lease.
e. Jamison knew a lot of people in the area who owned property
in which Kerry was interested.
f. Jamison also owned 20 acres in this area. Kerry gave him
an advance royalty on this property of $20,000.
Kerry, at some point, bought out Brinkley's advance
overrides and he paid Brinkley approximately $65,000 as a
result thereof. Brinkley signed his right on the overrides
over to Kerry. This is when Kerry Coal Company began paying
Jamison his half of the overrides formerly paid to Jamison
by Brinkley.
h. Jamison was paid one half of the amount of the Brinkley
override which was .30 a ton. Jamison received half of
that amount.
g.
Mr. Clair C. Jamison
Page 15
i. Kerry had an exclusive agreement with Jamison whereby he
would only produce property for Kerry Coal Company, Western
Hickory Company or Kerry Brothers. Jamison, however, was
also doing work for Adobe Mining Company.
Jamison operated as the liaison between the township and
the coal companies. This was because Jamison dealt with
people better than the other supervisors.
k. His company never received any preferential treatment due
to the fact that Jamison served as a paid finder for Kerry.
1. Kerry never built a run -a -round for the Campbell Road area.
The $1,000 amount for building the run -a -round as noted in
the bond, was not enough money to accomplish this purpose
and, therefore, such must have been a mistake.
m. He indicated that it is not unusual for the township to
repair the roads damaged by the mining operations and then
have the township bill Kerry for the work that was
performed.
n. Jamison would tell Kerry of citizen complaints regarding
the road conditions after which such would be repaired.
26. You indicated that you did have an agreement with Kerry Coal
Company to secure leases.
27. You indicated that you did not write the bond for Kerry Coal
Company.
a. The bond either came from Kerry Coal company or the
township solicitor.
b. The $1,000 for the run around was a standard clause.
28. A Statement of Financial Interests on file for you, undated,
indicates as follows:
a. Occupation - Insurance Salesman.
b. Creditors - Northwest Bank, Clintonville, Pennsylvania.
Penn Bank, Franklin, Pennsylvania.
c. Income source - Mutual of Omaha, Erie, Pennsylvania, Carry
Coal Company, Portersville, Pennsylvania.
d. This form was SEC 1, Rev. 12/79.
Mr. Clair C. Jamison
Page 18
(b) No person shall offer or give to a public
official or public employee or candidate for
public office or a member of his immediate family
or a business with which he is associated, and no
public official or public employee or candidate
for public office shall solicit or accept,
anything of value, including a gift, loan,
political contribution, reward, or promise of
future employment based on any understanding that
the vote, official action, or judgment of the
public official or public employee or candidate
for public office would be influenced thereby. 65
P.S. §403(b).
Serious questions regarding this provision of the Act have been
raised and we thus believe that this matter should be referred to the
appropriate authority for further review under this provision of law.
C. Conclusion and Order:
1. As a Venango Township Supervisor, you were a public official
subject to the provisions of the Ethics Act.
2. You violated Section 3(a) of the Ethics Act when you
authorized Kerry Coal Company to mine within 100 feet of
township road T -657 without official township action and
contrary to DER regulations, which action would have
resulted in additional royalties from Kerry Coal Company for
you.
3. You are hereby directed to file, within thirty days of the
date of this Order, Statements of Financial Interests for
all years you served as a supervisor and of the year after
you left such position. Such statements must be forwarded
to this Commission and copies thereof filed with the
township.
4. This matter will be referred to the appropriate law
enforcement authority for review.
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 5
business days after service (defined as mailing).
Mr. Clair C. Jamison
Page 19
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). The confidentiality provision does not restrict
respondents consultation with legal counsel.
By th Commission
elena G. Hughes
Chair