HomeMy WebLinkAbout714 WalterMr. Eugene V. Walter
R.D. #1
Claysburg, PA 16625
Re: 86 -105 -C
Dear Mr. Walter:
STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
308 FINANCE BUILDING
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17120
ORDER OF THE COMMISSION
Order No. 714
Before: Helena G. Hughes, Chair
G. Sieber Pancoast
Dennis C. Harrington
Michael J. Washo
Date Decided: July 27, 1989
Date Mailed: Julv 28. 1989
The State Ethics Commission received a complaint regarding you
and a possible violation of the State Ethics Act, No. 170 of 1978, 65
P.S. 401 et. seq. You were notified in writing as to the
commencement of the investigation and as to the specific
allegation(s). The investigation has now been completed and a
Findings Report was issued to you which constituted the Complaint by
the Investigation Division of the State Ethics Commission. An Answer
was filed and a hearing was deemed waived. The record is now
completed. This Order of the Commission is hereby issued which sets
forth the individual allegations, findings, discussion and conclusion
as follows:
I. Allegation: That you, a Supervisor for Kimmel Township, Bedford
County, violated the following provisions of the Ethics Act (Act 170
of 1978), when you were compensated by the Township for administrative
work you claimed as "township business :"
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. S403(a).
Mr. Eugene V. Walter
Page 2
A. Findinas:
1. You serve as a Township Supervisor in Kimmel Township, Bedford
County, Pennsylvania.
a. You are chairman of the township board of supervisors.
b. You have served as a township supervisor from 1978 to the
present except for a one month period in March of 1989.
c. You have also served as a township roadmaster from 1983
until the present date.
d. You previously served as a township auditor and a school
director.
2. Township supervisors who served as employees of the township were
compensated for the services that they rendered in such positions.
a. Township auditors approved compensation to be paid to
township supervisors who were employed by the township as
either roadmaster, secretary /treasurer, laborer.
b. Township supervisors were also compensated for services
rendered other than those as indicated in sub - finding 2(a)
above. This additional compensation was for services
rendered on "township business" generally.
3. Minutes of the Kimmel Township Auditor's meetings indicate the
following in relation to the compensation that had been fixed by the
township auditors for supervisors who were providing services in
relation to township business, and the discussions in relation
thereto:
January 5, 1981 - Supervisors on business, $7.00 per hour. A
motion was made by Auditor Eugene Nale and
seconded by Auditor H. Knisley and the payment of
such wages was approved by such auditors.
January 4, 1982 - Supervisors on township business, $7.35 per hour,
was approved on a motion by Eugene Nale and
seconded by H. Knisley.
January 9, 1983 Supervisors on business, $7.75 per hour, approved
on a motion by Auditor Harry Knisley and seconded
by Eugene Nale.
Mr. Eugene V. Walter
Page 3
January 7, 1984 - Supervisors on township business, $8.50 per hour
was approved on a motion by Auditor D.D. Eicher
and a second from both Harry Knisley and Eugene
Hale.
January 12, 1985 - These minutes reflect that Supervisors on
township business was listed among the annual
wages paid by the township but there was no
amount indicated for calendar year 1985.
January 11, 1986 - Minutes reflect that wages for supervisors on
township business was eliminated by the township
supervisors.
January 11, 1987 - Minutes indicate that the subject of wages paid to
the supervisors was discussed by the auditors and
comparisons were made with several surrounding
counties. There was no mention of any payment for
supervisors on township business.
March 6, 1987 - Minutes reflect that there was much discussion at
this meeting. Present were Auditors Harry
Knisley, Dennis Walter, and Eugene Hale. Township
Supervisors Eugene Walter, Lester Smith, and
Vernon Corle were also present. With regard to
the issue of dental insurance, the auditors
advised the supervisors that they would not agree
to pay such premiums for the supervisors. After
much conversation, the supervisors agreed to
repay any premiums with regard to dental care
paid by the township. It was indicated that
Township Supervisor Eugene Walter was questioned
concerning receipts that he had presented for
payment to the township. Supervisor Walter stated
that he did not need to present receipts that the
voucher on purchases was sufficient for him to be
reimbursed. Supervisor Walter stated that he had
contacted the township solicitor who told him that
the voucher was a legal receipt. The auditors
decided to accept the vouchers when presented by
Walter if the township solicitor would provide
written approval of this policy of using the
voucher instead of receipts. The meeting resulted
in the following decisions by the auditors. The
dental care premiums paid on behalf of
Supervisors Walter and Smith must be repaid.
Supervisor Smith also had to pay the township for
hospitalization premiums that were expended in his
behalf. It is believed that he did not work
Hr. Eugene V. Walter
Page 4
enough hours to earn such payments. Supervisor
Walter was told that he had to come up with a
voucher authorization from the township's
solicitor or suitable receipts for any bills that
he would present for payment with regard to his
voucher. The auditors stated that if all
conditions are met that they will accept the audit
and sign and send it to the proper places in
Harrisburg and Bedford. If the above conditions
were not met, the auditors stated their intent to
surcharge the supervisors as appropriate. Also,
Auditors Dennis Walter, Eugene Hale and Harry
Knisley, and Supervisors Eugene Walter and Lester
Smith agreed to repay amounts noted.
May 27, 1987 - Minutes indicate that the township auditors met
with Jim Kaplan, a state auditor, in an attempt to
obtain assistance in filing a surcharge. Records
indicated that Kaplan was based in Kitanning,
Pennsylvania, and phone number 412 -783 -6466.
Minutes indicated that Mr. Kaplan reviewed
township records for 1985 and 1986.
September 9, 1987 - Minutes of this meeting reflect that Mr. Jim
Kaplan, Pennsylvania Auditor General's Office,
disclosed his findings at this meeting. Kaplan
provided his findings as follows:
a. There were payments by the township for medical
and dental insurance benefits to an ineligible
employee. The individual, Supervisor Lester
Smith, did not meet the eligibility requirements
and that he did not work fifteen hours per week
for the township. The cost of this insurance for
Smith was indicated as $645.00. Kaplan
recommended that the township review this matter
and determine if any action is required to
recover these funds.
b. Kaplan recommended that the township strengthen
its controls over disbursements, requiring
documentation to support the actual cost
c. Kaplan cited the inefficient use of township
funds. He stated that the monthly allowance of
$43.75 which was paid to the township secretary
for an office in his home, was unnecessary. Be
emphasized that the township now had a township
building with supportive equipment and that all of
Mr. Eugene V. Walter
Page 5
township business could easily be handled at the
township building. Kaplan recommended that the
township supervisors review the situation to see
if this allowance to the township secretary was
necessary.
d. Also, minutes indicated that at this meeting,
Supervisor Walter produced the receipts that the
auditors were seeking. Minutes reflect that the
auditors were satisfied with the receipts
presented by Supervisor Walter and thus only one
issue was not resolved in that a $645.00 amount
paid by the township for Supervisor Lester Smith's
medical and dental insurance was the only
recoverable item. Mr. Kaplan then told the
auditors that if recoverable funds are exceeded by
court costs to the township, it is advisable to
consider dropping the charges. Minutes reflect
that Auditor Nale then made a motion to drop a
surcharge action which was pending in Bedford
County Court due to an assessment of estimated
lawyers fees.
November 7, 1987 - Minutes of this meeting reflect that there was
much discussion over the results of the
Pennsylvania Auditor General's Audit and the
results that were presented to the township.
Again, there was much discussion of all the
issues and Auditor Nale disclosed his reasons
for making the motion to drop the surcharge
action. Minutes do not reflect whether or not any
action was taken on Mr. Nale's motion to drop the
surcharge action.
4. You were compensated by the township for services rendered in
addition to those that were provided as township roadmaster.
a. This compensation was allocated to you in relation to other
township business on which you worked.
5. Records of Kimmel Township reflect the following hours worked by
you on township business that was unrelated to working on the township
roads facilities or equipment:
Mr. Eugene V. Walter
Page 6
DATE CHECK # VOUCHERS EXPLANATION TWP. BUS.
MUM
a. 2/7/83 236 Conference with Commissioners 4 hrs.
in Bedford
Conference with Solicitor
in Bedford
Conference with Solicitor and
School Board Committee
Conference with Solicitor
3 hrs.
3 hrs.
3 hrs.
3/7/83 258 Meeting with School Board 2 hrs.
in Claysburg
Conference with Commissioners 3 hrs.
in Bedford
4/4/83 291 Meet with Solicitor in Bedford 4 hrs.
Meet with Monthly Authorities 5 hrs.
in Bedford
8/1/83 419 Monthly Meeting in Bedford 3 hrs.
9/6/83 440 Conference with Planning 3 hrs.
Commission and Solicitor and
County Commissioners and pick
up a barrel in Bedford and
vicinity
Planning Commission (Bridge) 21/2 hrs.
Sewage Officer
10/3/83 479 Conference with Commissioners 5 hrs.
and Solicitors and Library
11/7/83 502 LLNW Meeting in Bedford 4 hrs.
Claysburg - Kimmel Sale 4 hrs.
12/5/83 523 Conference with Solicitor in 3 hrs.
• Bedford
Buy Office Furniture in 9.11 hrs.
Harrisburg
Mr. Eugene V. Walter
Page 7
12/29/83 538 Meeting with School Committee
1983 Total: 63.5 hrs. at $7.75 each = $492.12
b. 2/6/84 551 Conference with Solicitor
and Commissioners and get
lock repairs, Bedford and
Charlesville
Meeting with Planning Commission 3 hrs.
at Bedford
Conference with Solicitor and
Soil Conservationists and
Pick up Transmission Oil at
Bedford and Everett
4/2/84 613 Meeting with Assessors at 4 hrs.
Bedford
Conference with Solicitors and 5 hrs.
Assessors and Look for Truck and
Mower in Claysburg, Everett and
Bedford
6/4/84 706 Bid Notice for Mower and Truck 3 hrs.
at Bedford
Conference with Solicitor
and Mr. Diehl, Location not
indicated
Conference with PennDot at
Hollidaysburg
Conference with Solicitor
Ickes, Location not Indicated
Conference with Enterprise
Entire Service, Location
not Indicated
2 hrs...
5 hrs.
31 hrs.
41 hrs.
2 hrs.
31 hrs.
3 hrs.
7/2/84 746 Conference with School District 7 hrs.
and also transfer license
at Claysburg and Bedford
8/6/84 783 Conference with Solicitor and 31 hrs.
get Jeep at Bedford
Mr. Eugene V. Walter
Page 8
Conference with Attorney and 41 hrs.
Police at Bedford
9/10/84 815 Conference with Commissioners 4 hrs.
and Tax Office at Bedford
Conference with Solicitor at 3 hrs.
Bedford
11/5/84 872 Conference with Solicitor 31/2 hrs.
and Truck Repairman at
Bedford
Hearing with Judge at Bedford
12/28/84 918 Emergency, Monthly and Club
Claim Meetings at Altoona
6 hrs.
3 hrs.
1984 Total: 71 hrs. at $8.50 each = $603.50
c. 2/4/85 966 Conference with the Solicitor 3 hrs.
(driveways) at Bedford
Pick up Battery and Alternator 6 hrs.
and Conference with the Solicitor
at Bedford, Roaring Springs and
Altoona
Signs and Conferences at 7 hrs.
Huntingdon and Kimmel Township
Solicitor - Baer -702# at Bedford 4 hrs.
Conference with Solicitor 31/2 hrs.
(read letter) at Bedford
Conference with the Solicitor 3 hrs.
(Bare) at Bedford
3/4/85 1011 Conference with Solicitor at 2h hrs.
Bedford
Conference with Solicitor at 2 hrs.
Bedford
Conference with Solicitor at 3 hrs.
Bedford
Mr. Eugene V. Walter
Page 9
Solid Waste Meeting at Bedford 3 hrs.
4/1/85 1039 Conference with Solicitor and 3 hrs.
Soil Conservationist at Bedford
5/6/85 1075 Conference of Municipal Service 10 hrs.
Providers and Pick up and Order
Signs at Altoona, Kimmel Twp.
and Huntingdon
Conference with Solicitor and
Work on Tractor Seat at Bedford
and Everett
3 hrs.
6/3/85 1102 To see Municipal Services in 21 hrs.
Operation at Hollidaysburg
Conference with Municipal 5 hrs.
Services at Harrisburg
Conference with Solicitor 4 hrs.
Regarding Records of
Prothonotary at Bedford
Conference with Planning
Commission and Soil
Conservationist at Fishertown
31 hrs.
Conference with Solicitor at 21 hrs.
Bedford
Conference with Municipal 4 hrs.
Service Providers at-
Hollidaysburg
7/1/85 1148 Conference with Solicitor at 21 hrs.
Bedford
Purchase Office Supplies at 1 Hour
Roaring Springs
Conference with Solicitor 3 hrs.
at Bedford
8/5/85 1176 Conference with Solicitor 41 hrs.
and Pick up Office Supplies
at Bedford and Roaring Springs
Mr. Eugene V. Walter
Page 10
Hours
63.5
71
100.5
Conference
Bedford
12/2/85 1310 Conference
Bedford
with Solicitor at
with Solicitor at
Conference with Solicitor
(702) at Bedford
Conference with Engineers
at Hollidaysburg
Conference with Solicitor
(702 and an Ordinance) at
Bedford
2 hrs.
3 hrs.
4 hrs.
3 hrs.
3 hrs.
1985 Total: 100.5 hrs. at $8.75 each = $879.37
6. Total hours worked and amounts paid to you for services unrelated to .
work on the township roads, facilities or equipment from 1983 - 1985 are
as follows:
Year Rate Total
1983 7.75 $492.12
1984 8.50 $603.50
1985 8.75 $879.37
$1,974.99
7. Eugene T. Wale, provided the following information in relation to the
instant situation:
a. He served as a township auditor from 1972 to the present.
b. Approximately 1981, he voted for the approval of payments to
township supervisors for work that they did while on township
business.
c. At that time, this payment sounded like a good idea because
township supervisors were not being treated fairly under
certain situations.
d. The township's auditors approved this payment unanimously and
believed that such was appropriate under the township code.
Mr. Eugene V. Walter
Page 11
e. Later, township citizens began to criticize the abuse of
payments for township business by township supervisors.
f. Supervisor Walter refused to provide receipts for many of the
cash reimbursements that he received from the township.
The township surcharge action was initiated in order to recover
certain funds, however, this action was subsequently withdrawn.
8. You provided the following information in relation to the instant
situations
a. You served as a township supervisor for Kimmel Township since
1978.
b. You had continued to serve in this position except for a one
month period in March of 1989.
c. You had resigned from your role in March, but then you were
asked to return to the position at the end of that month.
d. You served as a township roadmaster from March 1983 to the
present.
e. The concept of paying township supervisors for work that they
performed on township business originated around 1978. These
payments have been approved by the township board of auditors.
f. You have no idea that such payments would not be appropriate
until you attended a state convention in 1985 where this issue
was discussed.
g. You discussed thereafter, the concept of township business
payments with other supervisors and you were the moving force in
having these payments abolished.
h. The township was a small rural area which needed someone who
was available to resolve many of the problems that were brought
to the board of supervisors. All of the other township
supervisors were employed full -time capacities and were not
available during the normal work day. As a self - employed
individual, you could shift your hours of work so as to handle
township problems.
i. Solving most of the township problems was delegated to you
because of your availability.
You performed many functions for the township and were not
reimbursed as you never put a voucher in for approval.
•
g.
Mr. Eugene V. Walter
Page 12
k. You could not recall at this time the reasons for your meetings
with the township solicitor but all meetings were necessary.
1. In a generalized answer to the Investigative Complaint, you
indicate as follows:
(1) You were thrust into your position as a result of the death
of the prior roadmaster and were guided by the advice of
others whom you thought knew something about the
maintenance of roads and equipment.
(2) The conferences you attended with commissioners related to
the transfer of a bridge to the county.
You attended conferences with the Soil Conservation and
Fish Commission because of disputes with land owners
concerning run off water from roads.
(4) Conferences with the township engineers were to have road
dockets researched and surveyed, due to disputes with land
owners or preliminarily to vacating roads.
You had conferences with the police and attended hearings
relative to harassment of work crews.
(6) You had conferences with the solicitor to seek his advice
in an effort to resolve the above problems.
The above activity, in your view, related to the township
business category.
Maintaining the township building is in your view part of
the roadmaster duties.
You provided elaboration upon the vouchers explanation set
forth in Finding 5.
B. Discussion: Township Supervisors in townships of the second class are
public officials as that term is defined in the State Ethics Act. 65 P.S.
S402. As such, their conduct must conform to the requirements of the
State Ethics Act. See, Sowers, 80 -050, Szvmanowski, Order No. 539.
Initially, it is noted that Section 5 of Act 9 of June 26, 1989
provides, in part, as follows:
"This amendatory act shall not apply to
violations committed prior to the effective date of
this act, and cause of action initiated for such
(3)
(5)
(
(8)
(9)
Mr. Eugene V. Walter
Page 13
violations shall be governed by the prior law, which
is continued in effect for that purpose as if this act
were not in force. For the purposes of this section,
a violation was committed prior to the effective date
of this act if any elements of the violation occurred
prior thereto."
Since the occurrences in this case transpired prior to the effective
date of Act 9 (June 26, 1989), we must apply the provisions of Act 170 of
October 4, 1978, P.L. 883 to determine whether the Ethics Act was
violated.
Under Section 3(a) of the Ethics Act quoted above, this Commission
has already determined that township supervisors may not approve or accept
any compensation for themselves that is not in accordance with the
compensation set forth in the Second Class Township Code. This
determination has been affirmed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. See
McCutcheon v. State Ethics Commission, 77 Pa. Commw. 529, 466 A.2d 283,
(1982); Yocabet v. State Ethics Commission, 109 Pa. Commw. Ct. 432, 531
A.2d 536 (1987). Compensation awarded or received by a township
supervisor that is not in accordance with the provisions of law could
constitute a violation of the above cited Section of the State Ethics Act.
The Second Class Township Code provides that township supervisors
shall receive the following compensation:
Compensation of Supervisors -- Supervisors may
receive from the general township fund, as
compensation, an amount fixed by ordinance not in
excess of the following:
Township Population
Not more than 4,999
5,000 to 9,999
10,000 to 14,999
15,000 to 24,000
25,000 to 34,000
35,000 or more
Annual Maximum Compensation
Fifteen hundred dollars
Two thousand dollars
Twenty -six hundred dollars
Thirty -three hundred dollars
Thirty -five hundred dollars
Four Thousand dollars
Such salaries shall be payable monthly or quarterly for
the duties imposed by the provisions of this act. The
population shall be determined by the latest available official
census figures. The compensation of supervisors, when acting as
superintendents, roadmasters or laborers, shall be fixed by the
township auditors either per hour, per day, per week, semi-
monthly or monthly, which compensation shall not exceed
compensation paid in the locality for similar services, and such
other reasonable compensation for the use of a passenger car, or
Mr. Eugene V. Walter
Page 14
a two axle four - wheeled motor truck having a chases weight of
less than two thousand pounds when required and actually used
for the transportation of road and grudge laborers and their
hand tools and for the distribution of cinders and patching
material from a stock pile, as the auditors shall determine and
approve; but no supervisor shall receive compensation as a
superintendent or roadmaster for any time he spends attending a
meeting of supervisors. 65 P.S. §65515.
In reference to the meetings for which supervisors may receive
compensation, the Code further provides as follows:
The township supervisors shall meet for the
transaction of business at least once each month, at a
time and place to be fixed by the board, but they
shall not be paid for more than sixteen meetings in
any one year, except in any township where, on account
of the exercise of governmental functions other than
those relating to roads, more meetings are necessary,
in which the supervisors may be paid may be increased
to any number, not exceeding fifty meetings in any
year which shall include hearings by aggrieved parties
under the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act and other
hearings by aggrieved parties hearings of a judicial
or quasi - judicial nature. Two members of any board of
supervisors consisting of three members shall
constitute a quorum and three members shall constitute
a quorum. Except as otherwise provided in this act,
an affirmative vote of a majority of the entire board
of any supervisors shall be necessary in order to
transact any business. Necessary expenses incurred in
such meetings, including office rent, stationery,
light and fuel, shall be paid out of the general
township fund. 53 P.S. 565512.
The duties that a supervisor is responsible for performing are also
regulated by statute. As can be seen from the foregoing, the
compensation to be paid for a supervisor who is not otherwise employed by
the township is strictly regulated by the Second Class Township Code. A
supervisor may only receive compensation, as set forth above, for
supervisor meetings regarding the transaction of township business. The
type of meeting for which a township supervisor may be compensated must be
one at which official township business is transacted. Additionally, the
Code provides for compensation at the specific meetings outlined in 5512,
above. The Code does not appear to permit the compensation of a township
supervisor for attending other types of meetings for performing the
administrative functions of his office. Any such other compensation must
be earned in and as part of the services performed while serving in one of
the statutory authorized positions. Thus, if the township supervisors
Mr. Eugene V. Walter
Page 15
were to award to themselves compensation for attendance at meetings that
are not official township meetings of the board of supervisors, or for
performing duties not authorized by law, such would violate the
provisions of the State Ethics Act as such payment would not constitute
compensation provided by law. The above interpretation of the Second
Class Township Code is a view that has also been expressed by the State
Association of Township Supervisors which specifically indicated the
supervisors may not be compensated for meetings with engineers,
solicitors, planning commissions, authorities, or recreation boards. See
Township News, May, 1985, Page 66.
The Code sets forth clearly when supervisors may receive
compensation other than as set forth above. Generally, township
supervisors may be employed by the township as a roadmaster, laborer, or
secretary /treasurer. 53 P.S. 565410. The compensation to be paid to
supervisors working in such positions is to be fixed by the township board
of auditors. 53 P.S. 565515, 65531; 65540. Township supervisors may not
receive any other compensation except as provided above. This concept has
been upheld by various courts in the Commonwealth. In Coltar v.
Warminster Township, 8 Pa. Commw. Ct. 163, 302 A.2d 859, (1973), the
Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania held that a second class township
supervisor may not appoint himself to positions other than those set forth
in the township code (roadmaster, laborer, or secretary /treasurer), and
receive compensation therefore. See also Conrad v. Exeter Township, 27 D
& C 3d 253, (Berks 1983). It is clear, therefore, that the duties for
which a township supervisor may be compensated are strictly regulated by
the Code, and when performing in the positions set forth in the Code, the
supervisor's pay must be specifically set forth by the township board of
auditors. The "administrative services" for which you were compensated
were related to the office supervisor.
In this case, you received $1,974.99 in "administrative services
pay" from the township which was other than compensation provided by law.
Although the auditors did approve "township business" compensation
for certain years, this Commission has already held that township
auditors have no authority to fix compensation for township supervisors
who are performing duties outside of those fixed by law or for working in
positions not established in the township code. Nanovic, Opinion 85 -005.
As a result, this Commission finds that you received compensation in
the form of administrative pay that was not in accordance with that set
forth by law. Generally, the State Ethics Act provides as follows:
Mr. Eugene V. Walter
Page 16
Section 9. Penalties.
(a) Any person who violates the provisions of Section
3(a) and 3(b) is guilty of a felony and shall be fined
not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than
five years, or be both fined and imprisoned.
65 P.S. 5409(a).
(c) Any person who obtains financial gain from
violating any provision of this act, in addition to
any other penalty provided by law, shall pay into the
State Treasury a sum of money equal to three times the
financial gain resulting from such violation. 65 P.S.
5409(c).
The power of this Commission to order restitution or impose a
penalty has been sustained by Commonwealth Court. See McCutcheon v.
State Ethics Commission supra; Yocabet v. State Ethics Commission
supra.
Since you obtained a financial gain of $1,974.99, you are hereby
directed to forward within thirty days a check to the State Ethics
Commission payable to the order of Kimmel Township in the amount of
$1,974.99.
C. Conclusion and Order
1. As a township supervisor in Kimmel Township, you are a public
official subject to the provisions of the State Ethics Act.
2. You violated Section 3(a) of the State Ethics Act by using public
office to obtain a financial gain which was not compensation provided by
law when you received "township business" pay.
3. The amount of gain received by you referenced in paragraph 2 amounts
to $1,974.99.
4. You are hereby ordered to remit to the State Ethics Commission within
thirty (30) days of the date of this order a check in the amount of
$1,974.99 payable to the order of Kimmel Township.
5. Failure to comply with the provisions of paragraph 4 will result in
the referral of this matter to the appropriate law enforcement authority.
This Order is final and will be made available as a public document
fifteen days after issuance. However, you may request reconsideration
which will defer public release of this Order pending action on your
request by the Commission. A request for reconsideration, however, does
not affect the finality of this Order. A reconsideration request must be
Mr. Eugene V. Walter
Page 17
received at this Commission within fifteen days of issuance and must
include a detailed explanation of your reasons as to why reconsideration
should be granted in conformity with 51 Pa. Code 52.38.
The files in this case will remain confidential in accordance with
Section 8(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 P.S. 408(a) during the fifteen day
period and no one, including yourself, unless the right to challenge this
Order is waived, may violate confidentiality by releasing, discussing or
circulating this Order. However, confidentiality does not preclude you
from discussing this case with your attorney at law.
Any person who violates 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, 65 P.S. 409(e).
By th Commission ,
i
e ena G. Hughes
Chair
Mr. Eugene V. Walter
R.R. 1, Box 706
Claysburg, PA 16625
Re: Order No. 714, File No. 86 -105 -C
Dear Mr. Walter:
STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
308 FINANCE BUILDING
P.O. BOX 11470
HARRISBURG, PA 17108 -1470
TELEPHONE (717) 783 -1610
August 24, 1989
On August 15, 1989, the State Ethics Commission received
your payment for reimbursing Kimmel Township as required by Order
No. 714.
We have forwarded your check No
in the amount of $1,974.99 to Kimmel
such.
JJC /na
This letter will be part of the
cc: Public Binder
. 155 dated August 11, 1989
Township.
Order and a public record as