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PHONE:717-783-1610 STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
TOLL FREE: 1-800-932-0936 FINANCE BUILDING
613 NORTH STREET, ROOM 309
HARRISBURG, PA 17120-0400
In Re: Samantha Reiner, File Docket: 24-0008-C
Respondent Order No. 1848
Date Decided: 9/18/25
Date Mailed: 9/22/25
Before: Michael A. Schwartz, Chair
David L. Reddecliff, Vice Chair
Paul E. Parsells
Robert P. Caruso
Emilia McKee Vassallo
This is a final adjudication of the State Ethics Commission.
FACSIMILE: 717-787-0806
WEBSITE: www.ethics,pa.gov
Procedurally, the Investigative Division of the State Ethics Commission conducted an
investigation regarding possible violation(s) of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act
("Ethics Act"), 65 Pa. C.S. § 1101 et sect., by the above -named Respondent. At the commencement
of its investigation, the Investigative Division served upon Respondent written notice of the
specific allegations. Upon completion of its investigation, the Investigative Division issued and
served upon Respondent a Findings Report identified as an "Investigative Complaint." A
Stipulation of Findings and a Consent Agreement were subsequently submitted by the parties to
the Commission for consideration. The Findings in this Order are derived from the parties'
Stipulation of Findings. The Consent Agreement has been approved.
I. ALLEGATIONS:
That Samantha Reiner, a public official in her capacity as a Supervisor for Chadds Ford
Township ("Township"), Delaware County, Pennsylvania, violated Sections 1103(a) and 1103(f)
of the Ethics Act: (1) when she used the authority of her position to enter into a consulting contract
with the Township to provide stormwater assessments and other related work without an open and
public process; and (2) when she was compensated as a Township Consultant for performing the
duties of a Township Supervisor.
II. FINDINGS:
Chadds Ford Township ("Township") is a Second Class Township governed by a three -
Member Board of Supervisors.
a. The Township Supervisors have signature authority over Township accounts.
1. Township checks require the signatures of any two Supervisors.
Reiner, 24-0008-C
Page 2
2. Samantha Reiner ("Reiner") has served as a Township Supervisor continuously since
February 2015.
a. Reiner has been Chair of the Township Board of Supervisors ("Board of
Supervisors") since 2022.
b. Reiner has been the Board of Supervisor's liaison to the Township Planning
Commission ("Planning Commission") since 2021.
G. Reiner also served as the Manager of Edgmont Township from February 1997 until
April 2019.
3. As a Township Supervisor, Reiner receives $75 per meeting, up to $1,875 per year, from
the Township.
4. In approximately 2019, Reiner began assisting Maryann Furlong ("Furlong"), the
Township Manager at the time, with her job duties.
a. Furlong was overwhelmed with her job duties.
5. On July 13, 2021, Furlong emailed the Township Supervisors, Frank Murphy ("Murphy"),
Noelle Barbone ("Barbone"), and Reiner.
a. In this email, Furlong suggested that Reiner be. hired as a Township Consultant to
assist with stormwater inspections, quasi -legal work, and administrative office
tasks.
b. Furlong proposed an hourly rate for each task, along with justifications for each
suggested wage. Below are the specific descriptions provided by Furlong:
1. Stormwater Inspections/MS4 Report Work - $951hour (based on Pennoni's
rate).
aa. Pennoni is the engineering consulting firm used by the Township.
2. In -Office Support/Training, Miscellaneous Work - $40/hour (Furlong's
hourly rate).
3. Contract Negotiations/Quasi-Legal Work - $107.50/hour (average rate of
Furlong's and Michael Maddren's rates).
aa, Michael Maddren ("Maddren") is the Township Solicitor, and his
hourly rate is $175.00.
C. On July 23, 2021, Murphy and Barbone responded to Furlong's email and approved
the hiring of Reiner as a Consultant.
Reiner, 24-0008-C
Page 3
6. The minutes of the Board of Supervisors' meetings indicate that there were no official
actions taken by the Board of Supervisors to Hire Reiner as a Township Consultant for
2021.
7. On July 23, 2021, Furlong emailed the Township Auditors, Swati Patel, Vince DelRossi,
and Joseph Pileggi, copying Maddren, Murphy, Barbone, and Reiner.
a. In this email, Furlong explained that the Township needed assistance with
inspections of stormwater beds and negotiations related to the Verizon contract.
b. Furlong mentioned that Reiner had prior experience with these tasks and could help
the Township save money if the Township hired her as a consultant.
G. Furlong provided a proposed hourly rate for each task, along with justifications for
each suggested wage, similar to what was mentioned in the initial email to the
Township Supervisors.
d. Furlong explained that the next step in hiring Reiner was for the Township Auditors
to meet, discuss, and approve the wages for Reiner's consultant position.
8. On August 10, 2021, the Township Auditors held a special meeting and set the wages for
Reiner as the Township Consultant.
a. Below is the hourly breakdown of pay that was authorized:
1. Stormwater inspections/MS4 report work or the like: $95/hour.
2. In -office support/training, or similar wwrk: $40/hour.
3. Contract negotiations/quasi-legal work: $107.50/hour.
b. Reiner attended this meeting.
1. During this meeting, Reiner highlighted to the Township Auditors that she
had already been performing extra duties and that her compensation would
be significantly lower than the cost of hiring someone else for the same
work.
C. No official job description was ever created for Reiner's position as Township
Consultant.
9. The minutes of the Board of Supervisors' meetings indicate that there were no official
actions taken by the Board of Supervisors to hire Reiner as a Township Consultant for
2022.
10. During the Township Auditors' organization meeting on January 4, 2022, they approved
Reiner's wages as the Township Consultant and approved an hourly increase of $5.67 for
performing in -office support/training or similar work.
Reiner, 24-0008-C
Page 4
11. At the Township reorganization meeting on January 3, 2023, Barbone motioned to appoint
Reiner as a Special Consultant to the Township.
a. Reiner seconded the motion and voted to appoint herself as a Special Consultant to
the Township.
b. The motion passed by a vote of 2-0.
1. The third Township Supervisor was absent, and the Township Solicitor
incorrectly advised Reiner that it was acceptable for her to vote.
12. During the Township Auditors' organization meeting on January 4, 2023, they approved
Reiner's wages as the Township Consultant and approved an hourly increase of $5.24 for
performing in -office support/training or similar work.
13. At the Township reorganization meeting on January 2, 2024, the Board of Supervisors,
which included Reiner, Timotha Trigg, and Murphy, decided to table the discussion
regarding the appointment of a Special Consultant.
a. At the January 31, 2024, workshop meeting of the Board of Supervisors, it was
decided that Reiner's position as a Township Consultant was no longer needed and
the position was subsequently removed.
14. Reiner actively worked as a Township Consultant from August 10, 2021, to December 31,
2023, despite the absence of any official action of the Board of Supervisors approved in a
public meeting.
15. No open and public process was followed for the hiring of Reiner as a Township
Consultant.
a. Reiner was hired to fill a Township Consultant position without a job posting or
interview.
b. Reiner earned more than $500.00 a year as a Consultant for the Township.
16. Reiner voted in favor of a motion to approve her position as a Township Consultant at the
Township's reorganization meeting on January 3, 2023.
17. Reiner deterinined the scope of work/hours she worked as a Township Consultant.
a. Reiner submitted invoices to the Township Manager and the Township Treasurer
for approval.
1. The Township Manager reported directly to Reiner in Reiner's capacity as
a Township Supervisor.
Reiner, 24-0008-C
Page 5
18. The following chart displays the income Reiner received from calendar years 2020 through
2024 as a Supervisor and a Consultant for the Township.
a. Year Supervisor Pay Consultant Pay Total Income Earned
2020 $1,875.00 $0 $1,875.00
2021 $1,875.00 $5,903.25 $7,778.25
2022 $1,875.00 $13,010.24 $14,885.24
2023 $1,875.00 $14,274.14 $16,149.14
2024 $1,875.00 $0 $1,875.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $9,375.00 $33,187.63 $42,562.63
b. In accordance with the Township's accounting frm's recommendation, Reiner
transitioned to a 1099 employee for calendar year 2023. Therefore, her Township
Consultant earnings for 2023 were not reported on a W-2.
19. Reiner earned $33,187,63 from November 5, 2021, through Dccenlber 29, 2023, as a
Township Consultant,
Reiner received her payments through direct deposit and checks.
From December 22, 2022, to December 19, 2023, Reiner signed the front side of
10 checks made out to her directly; these checks totaled $9,859.03.
The charts below summarize Reiner's payroll as a Township Consultant and the
checks she signed.
Samantha Reiner's Check Summary
Date
Check #
Amount
Memo
Pay to
11/2/2022
13204
$1,345.51
No Memo
Samantha Reiner
12/22/2022
221
$420.17
WCF
Samantha Reiner
12/22/2022
13269
$1,731.39
Consultant Work
Samantha Reiner
3/1/2023
555
$50.24
WCF Consultant
Samantha Reiner
3/1/2023
13340
$3,916.03
No Memo
Samantha Reiner
3/15/2023
13391
$761.03
No Memo
Samantha Reiner
4/4/2023
13380
$2,073.35
No Memo
Samantha Reiner
6/7/2023
13468
$1,138.61
No Memo
Samantha Reiner
7/6/2023
13489
$1,512.03
No Memo
Samantha Reiner
7/26/2023
13520
$757.82
No Memo
Samantha Reiner
8/30/2023
13523
$1,584.54
No Memo
Samantha Reiner
l l/l/2023
13602
$1,370.07
No Memo
Samantha Reiner 1
12/6/2023
13650
$970.42
No Memo
Samantha Reiner
12/19/2023
13662
$140.00
No Memo
Samantha Reiner
$17,771.21
Reiner, 24-0009-C
Page 6
e.
f.
Samantha Reiner's Direct Deposit Summary
Pay Date
Voucher #
Regular
Gross Pa
Hours
Description
11/5/2021
V1234781
$2,880.00
72
Regular
12/3/2021
V1259157
$2,015.75
36.2
Regular
12/17/2021
V1273710
$1,007.50
20
Regular
1/14/2022
V1298839
$3,384.50
41.4
Regular
2/11/2022
V1324652
$1,440.02
16.1
Regular
4/8/2022
V1382055
$2,949.68
44.55
Regular
5/6/2022
V 1407693
$911.64
15.9
Regular
6/17/2022
V 1452391
$827.33
12.7
Regular
$15,416.42
258.85
Samantha Reiner's Check Summary (Checks she signed)
Date
Check #
Amount
Memo
Pay to
Signatures
12/22/2022
221
$420.17
WCF
Samantha
Samantha
Noelle
Reiner
Reiner
Barbone
12/22/2022
13269
$1,731.39
Consultant Work
Samantha
Unclear
Samantha
Reiner
signature
Reiner
3/l/2023
555
$50.24
WCF Consultant
Samantha
Samantha
Noelle
Reiner
Reiner
Barbone
3/15/2023
13391
$761.03
No Memo
Samantha
Noelle
Samantha
Reiner
Barbone
Reiner
4/4/2023
13380
$2,073.35
No Memo
Samantha
Samantha
Noelle
Reiner
Reiner
Barbone
7/26/2023
13520
$757.82
No Memo
Samantha
Samantha
Noelle
Reiner
Reiner
Barbone
8/30/2023
13523
$1,584.54
No Memo
Samantha
Samantha
Noelle
Reiner
Reiner
Barbone
11/1/2023
13602
$1,370.07
No Memo
Samantha
Samantha
Noelle
Reiner
Reiner
Barbone
12/6/2023
13650
$970.42
No Memo
Samantha
Noelle
Samantha
Reiner
Barbone
Reiner
12/19/2023
13662
$140.00
No Memo
Samantha
Samantha
Noelle
Reiner
Reiner
Barbone
$9,859.03
20. Reiner invoiced for tasks as a Township Consult -ant which align with the general
responsibilities of a Township Supervisor as outlined in Section 607 of the Second Class
Township Code.
a. These tasks included preparing for and attending Board of Supervisors meetings
and Planning Commission meetings and joint meetings.
b. Reiner served as the Township Supervisor liaison to the Township Planning
Commission and also worked as a Consultant for the Township.
Reiner, 24-0008-C
Page 7
1. Reiner billed consulting hours for her attendance and preparation during
most of the Township Planning Commission meetings.
Reiner earned $2,632.76 from March 31, 2022, to November 30, 2023, for duties
as a Township Consultant that overlapped her responsibilities as a Township
Supervisor liaison to the Planning Commission.
d. During a sworn interview, Reiner confirmed that all Township Supervisors were
appointed as liaisons to the Township committees.
1. Other Township Supervisors did not receive additional compensation for
attending these meetings, beyond their standard yearly earnings of $1,875.
The table below compares Reiner's Township Consultant invoices with the minutes
of the Planning Commission meetings.
Invoice
Date of
Meetings Date
Date
Service
Description
Hours
Rate
Charge
and Time
3/9/2022
3/31/2022
3/9/2022
Joint review rv/PC (ineeting continued
1.00
$45.67
$45.67
7 pm - 9:32 pin
Review Ordinances in preparation for and attend
4/13/2022
4/30/2022
4/I3/2022
PC Meeting
2.00
$45.67
$91.34
no meeting minutes
Prepare for and attend BOS/PC JWS & PC
5/ll/2022
5/31/2022
5/I 1/2022
meetings re: ZO Ordinance amendments
4.00
$45.67
$182,68
7 pm - 9 pin
PC meeting reviewing codes/Timotha's List
10/12/2022
12/1/2022
I0/12/2022
discussion
2.00
$45.67
$91.34
7:05 pm - 9:50 pm
Prepare for and Participate in Joint Work Session
11/9/2022
12/1/2022
11/9/2022
with BOS/PC re: Zoning Ordinances
2.50
$45.67
$114.18
7:05 pin - 9:32 pm
12/ l4/2022
12/15/2022
12/14/2022
Attend & participate in PC meeting re ZO amends
1.00
$45.67
$45.67
7 pm - 9:10 pin
General grading and stabilization, environmental
controls and office hours, meetings, Discuss LI vs
LI-1, Mineral Extraction, General grading and
stabilization, environmental controls and Parking
for the Dispensary.
Review FM's recommendation. Attend JWS with
2/8/2023
2/21/2023
2/8/2023
BOS & PC
4.50
$50.91
$229.10
7:30 pin - 7:43 pin
Pick up revised draft of SLDO, begin review;
4/12/2023
4/26/2023
4/12/2023
attend PC to discuss status.
1.75
$50.91
$89.09
7.02 pin - 8:10 Pill
5/ 10/2023
5/31/2023
5/10/2023
Attend PC meeting to discuss dratted revisions
1.00
$50.91
$50.91
7:02 pin - 8:10 pin
Preparation for and attendance at PC meeting,
6/14/2023
6/21/2023
6/14/2023
discuss SLDO Village District and CC
2.00
$50.91
$101.82
7 pin - 9:15 pm
7/ 12/2023
7/24/2023
7/12/2023
Attend PC meeting via Zoom re: SLDO
1.75
$50.91
$89.09
7 pin - 9:1 S pm
7/25/2023
8/30/2023
7/25/2023
Prepare for and attend PC's S ecial Meeting
3.50
$50.91
$178.19
6 ►n - 7:59 m
Prepare for and attend PC's regular meeting (via
8/9/2023
8/30/2023
8/9/2023
Zoom re SLDO & Zoning2.75
$50.91
$140.00
7 pm - 8:57 prn
Reiner, 24-0008-C
Page 8
Invoice
Date of
Meetings Date
Date
Service
Description
Hours
Rate
Charge
and Time
Attendance at PC Meeting for
discussion/Recommendation of SALDO and
9/13/2023
9/22/2023
9/13/2023
Zoning Ordinance
1.75
$50.91
$89.09
7 m - 9:38 m
Attendance (Zoom) at PC Meeting for
10/11/2023
10/17/2023
10/11/2023
review/presentation of CC
1.25
$50.91
$63.64
7 prn. - 9:16 pm
Preparation for and attendance at PC Meeting via
Zoom for discussion Of Air B&B, Family
11/8/2023
11/30/2023
11/8/2023
definition and Short Term Rental
1.50
$50.91
$76.37
7 pm - 8:50 pro
Attendance (Zoom) at PC Meeting for
11/8/2023
11/30/2023
11/8/2023
review/presentation of CC
1.00
$50.91
$50.91
7 pin - 8:50 pin
Stormwater Ordinance Amendments presented by
11/8/2023
11/30/2023
11/8/2023
MS at PC
0.50
$50.91
$25.46
7 pin - 8:50 prn
Participate (via Zoom) w/ PC for Discussion of
12/13/2023
12/14/2023
12/13/2023
SWM draft, comment
1.50
$50.91
$76.37
7 m - 8:20 pm
Attend PC meeting to discuss drafted revisions
Complete review of drafted revisions,
5/10/2023
5/31/2023
5/10/2023
discuss all with MB
5.50
$50.91
$280.01
7:02 pro - 8:10 pm
7/ 12/2023
7/24/2023
7/12/2023
PC meeting: Review material, text BOS members
0.75
$50.91
$38.18
7 pin - 9:15 pm
Print TCA's'Purpose' e-mail & review re SLDO
Print TT's SLDO w/PC revisions for discussion,
7/25/2023
8/30/2023
7/25/2023
review materials PC's Special Meeting
1.00
$50.91
$50.91
b pm - 7:59 pni
Various communications with Timotha, Matt,
Mike Maddren, Michael Schneider, Erin
Gross re: last minute questions and proposed
changes to the text of both the SALDO and the
Zoning Ordinance. Review of amended materials
9/13/2023
9/22/2023
9/13/2023
prior to Pe Meeting.
3.00
$5091
$152.73
7 pm - 9:38 pm
Preparation for and attendance at PC Meeting via
Zoom for discussion Of Air B&B, Family
10/11/2023
10/17/2023
10/11/2023
definition and Short Term Rental
1.50
$5091
$76.37
7 m - 9:16 m
10/11/2023
10/17/2023
10/9/2023
Review of amended materials prior to Pe Meeting.
2.00
$50.91
$101.82
7 pin - 9:16 pm.
11/8/2023
11/30/2023
11/7/2023
1 Review of amended materials prior to Pe Meetin
2.00
$50.91
1 $101.82
7 pin - 8:50 prn
Total $2,632.76
III. DISCUSSION:
As a Supervisor for Chadds Ford Township ("Township"), Delaware County,
Pennsylvania, since February 2015, Samantha Reiner ("Reiner") has been a public official subject
to the provisions of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act ("Ethics Act"), 65 Pa.C.S. § 1101
et q .
The relevant allegations in this matter are that Reiner violated Sections 1103(a) and 1103(f)
of the Ethics Act: (1) when she used the authority of her position to enter into a consulting contract
with the Township to provide stormwater assessments and other related work without an open and
public process; and (2) when she was compensated as a Township Consultant for performing the
duties of a Supervisor. Per the Consent Agreement, the Investigative Division has exercised its
Reiner, 24-0008-C
Page 9
prosecutorial discretion to nolle pros an allegation that Reiner filed a deficient Statement of
Financial Interests for calendar year 2023 by failing to list her public employment and failing to
date the form.
Pursuant to Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, a public official/public employee is
prohibited from engaging in conduct that constitutes a conflict of interest:
§ 1103. Restricted activities
(a) Conflict of interest. No public official or public
employee shall engage in conduct that constitutes a conflict of
interest.
65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a).
The following terms relevant to Section 1103(a) are defined in the Ethics Act as follows:
§ 1102. Definitions
"Conflict" or "conflict of interest." Use by a public
official or public employee of the authority of his office or
employment or any confidential information received through his
holding public office or employment for the private pecunimy
benefit of himself, a member of his immediate family or a business
with which he or a member of his immediate family is associated.
The term does not include an action having a de minimis economic
impact or which affects to the same degree a class consisting of the
general public or a subclass consisting of an industry, occupation or
other group which includes the public official or public employee, a
member of his immediate family or a business with which he or a
member of his immediate family is associated.
"Authority of office or employment." The actual power
provided by law, the exercise of which is necessary to the
performance of duties and responsibilities unique to a particular
public office or position of public employment.
65 Pa.C.S. § 1102.
Subject to the statutory exclusions to the Ethics Act's definition of the term "conflict" or
"conflict of interest," 65 Pa.C.S. § 1102, pursuant to Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, a public
official/public employee is prohibited from using the authority of public office/employment or
confidential information received by holding such a public position for the private pecuniary
benefit of the public official/public employee himself, any member of his immediate family, or a
business with which he or a member of his immediate family is associated.
Section 1103(f) of the Ethics Act imposes certain restrictions as to contracting:
Reimer, 24-0009-C
Page 10
§ 1103. Restricted activities
(0 Contract. —No public official or public employee or his
spouse or child or any business in which the person or his spouse or
child is associated shall enter into any contract valued at $500 or
more with the governmental body with which the public official or
public employee is associated or any subcontract valued at $500 or
more with any person who has been awarded a contract with the
governmental body with which the public official or public
employee is associated, unless the contract has been awarded
through an open and public process, including prior public notice
and subsequent public disclosure of all proposals considered and
contracts awarded. In such a case, the public official or public
employee shall not have any supervisory or overall responsibility
for the implementation or administration of the contract. Any
contract or subcontract made in violation of this subsection shall be
voidable by a court of competent jurisdiction if the suit is
commenced within 90 days of the making of the contract or
subcontract.
65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(f).
The term "contract" is defined in the Ethics Act as follows:
§ 1102. Definitions
"Contract." An agreement or arrangement for the
acquisition, use or disposal by the Commonwealth or a political
subdivision of consulting or other services or of supplies, materials,
equipment, land or other personal or real property. The term shall
not mean an agreement or arrangement between the State or political
subdivision as one party and a public official or public employee as
the other party, concerning his expense, reimbursement, salary,
wage, retirement or other benefit, tenure or other matters in
consideration of his current public employment with the
Commonwealth or a political subdivision.
65 Pa.C.S. § 1102.
Section 1103(f) of the Ethics Act provides in part that no public official/public employee
or his spouse or child or business with which the public official/public employee or his spouse or
child is associated may enter into a contract with his governmental body valued at five hundred
dollars or more or any subcontract valued at five hundred dollars or more with any person who has
been awarded a contract with the governmental body with which the public official/public
employee is associated unless the contract is awarded through an open and public process
Reiner, 24-0008-C
Page i l
including prior public notice and subsequent public disclosure of all proposals considered and
contracts awarded.
As noted above, the parties have submitted a Consent Agreement and a Stipulation of
Findings. The Findings of this Commission set forth above are derived from the parties'
Stipulation of Findings. We shall now summarize the relevant facts in this matter.
The Township Board of Supervisors (`Board of Supervisors") consists of three Members.
Reiner, who has sewed as a Township Supervisor since February 2015, has been the Board of
Supervisors' liaison to the Township Planning Commission ("Planning Commission") since 2021.
As a Township Supervisor, Reiner receives $75 per meeting, up to $1,875 per year, from the
Township.
In approximately 2019, Reiner, who had experience as a township manager for a different
township, began assisting the Township Manager, Maryann Furlong ("Furlong"), with her
Township Manager job duties because she was overwhelmed with work. On July 13, 2021,
Furlong sent an email to Reiner and the other two Township Supervisors, Frank Murphy
("Murphy") and Noelle Barbone ("Barbone"), in which Furlong suggested that Reiner be hired as
a Township Consultant to assist with stormwater inspections, quasi -legal work, and administrative
office tasks, Based upon the hourly rates charged by the Township's engineering consulting firm
and the Township Solicitor and Furlong's own hourly rate, Furlong proposed that Reiner be paid
hourly rates of $95 for stormwater inspections/MS4 Report work, $40 for in -office
support/training, and $107.50 for contract negotiations/quasi-legal work.
On July 23, 2021, Murphy and Barbone responded to Furlong's email and approved the
hiring of Reiner as a Township Consultant. No official action was taken by the Board of
Supervisors to hire Reiner as a Township Consultant for 2021. In an email that Furlong sent to
the Township Auditors on July 23, 2021, Furlong explained that the Township needed assistance
with inspections of stormwater beds and negotiations related to the Verizon contract and that hiring
Reiner as a Township Consultant could help save the Township money as Reiner had prior
experience with these tasks. Furlong provided her proposed hourly rates for Reiner along with
justif cations for each suggested rate and explained that the next step in hiring Reiner was for the
Township Auditors to meet and approve the wages for Reiner's Township Consultant position.
During a special meeting held on August 10, 2021, the Township Auditors set hourly pay
rates for Reiner as a Township Consultant equal to the hourly pay rates that Furlong had proposed
for Reiner. During this meeting, Reiner highlighted to the Township Auditors that she had already
been performing extra duties and that her compensation would be significantly lower than the cost
of hiring someone else to do the same work. No official job description was ever created for
Reiner's position as a Township Consultant. Reiner was paid $5,903.25 in 2021 for work
performed as a Township Consultant.
No official actions were taken by the Board of Supervisors to hire Reiner as a Township
Consultant for 2022. During the Township Auditors' organization meeting on January 4, 2022,
the Township Auditors approved Reiner's wages as a Township Consultant and approved an
hourly increase of $5.67 for performing in -office support/training or similar work. Reiner received
$13,010.24 from the Township for work that she performed as a Township Consultant in 2022.
Reines, 24-0008-C
Page 12
At the Township reorganization meeting on January 3, 2023, Reiner seconded a motion
made by Barbone to appoint Reiner as a Consultant to the Township. The third Township
Supervisor was absent, and the Township Solicitor incorrectly advised Reiner that it was
acceptable for her to vote. Reiner and Barbone each voted in favor of Barbone's motion to appoint
Reiner as a Consultant to the Township. During the Township Auditors' organization meeting on
January 4, 2023, the Township Auditors approved Reiner's wages as a Township Consultant and
approved an hourly increase of $5.24 for performing in -office support/training or similar work.
Reiner was paid $14,274.14 in 2023 for performing work as a Township Consultant.
At a meeting held on January 31, 2024, the Board of Supervisors decided that Reiner's
position as a Township Consultant was no longer needed. Reiner worked as a Township
Consultant from August 10, 2021, to December 19, 2023. Although Reiner earned more than $500
in each calendar year that she worked as a Township Consultant, no open and public process was
followed to hire Reiner as a Township Consultant for those calendar years.
Reiner, who determined her scope of work and hours worked as a Township Consultant,
submitted invoices to the Township Manager and the Township Treasurer for approval. From
August 10, 2021, to December 19, 2023, the Township paid Reiner a total of $33,187.63 for work
that she performed as a Township Consultant. Reiner, as a Township Supervisor, signed ten checks
totaling $9,859.03 that were issued to her between December 22, 2022, and December 19, 2023,
for work that she performed as a Township Consultant.
Reiner, as a Township Consultant, invoiced the Township for tasks that aligned with the
general responsibilities of a township supervisor as outlined in the Second Class Township Code,
including preparing for and attending meetings of the Board of Supervisors, meetings of the
Planning Commission, and joint meetings. From March 31, 2022, to November 30, 2023, Reiner
billed the Township a total of $2,632.76 for tasks performed as a Township Consultant that aligned
with her responsibilities as a Township Supervisor liaison to the Planning Commission.
Having highlighted the Stipulated Findings and issues before us, we shall now apply the
Ethics Act to determine the proper disposition of this case.
The parties' Consent Agreement sets forth a proposed resolution of the allegations as
follows:
3. The Investigative Division will recommend the following in relation to the
above allegations:
a. That a violation of Section 1103(f) of the Public Official and
Employee Ethics Act, 65 Pa. C.S. § 1103(f), occurred when
Reiner used the authority of her position to enter into a
consulting contract with the Township to provide
stormwater assessments and other related work without an
open and public process;
b. That a violation of Section 1103(a) of the Public Official and
Employee Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred when
Reiner, 24-0009-C
Page 13
Reiner was compensated as a Township Consultant for
performing the duties of a Supervisor;
C. The remaining count will be nolle prossed.
4. Reiner agrees to make payment in the amount of $12,491.79 in settlement
of this matter payable to Chadds Ford Township, and forwarded to the
Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, within six (6) months of the
issuance of the final adjudication in this matter.
5. Reiner agrees to file a complete and accurate amended Statement of
Financial Interests with Chadds Ford Township, through the Pennsylvania
State Ethics Commission, for calendar year 2023 within thirty (30) days of
the issuance of the final adjudication in this matter.
6. Reiner agrees to not accept any reimbursement, compensation or other
payment from Chadds Ford Township representing a full or partial
reimbursement of the amount paid in settlement of this matter.
7. The Investigative Division will recommend that the State Ethics
Commission take no further action in this matter and make no specific
recommendations to any law enforcement or other authority to take action
in this matter. Such, however, does not prohibit the Commission from
initiating appropriate enforcement actions in the event of Reiner's failure to
comply with this agreement or the Commission's order or cooperating with
any other authority who may so choose to review this matter further.
a. Reiner has been advised that as a matter of course, all orders
from the Commission are provided to the Attorney General,
albeit without any specific recommendations pursuant to
Paragraph 7 above.
b. Reiner has been advised that all orders become public
records and may be acted upon by law enforcement as they
deem appropriate.
C. The non -referral language contained in this paragraph is
considered an essential part of the negotiated Consent
Agreement.
Consent Agreement, at 1-2.
In considering the Consent Agreement, we accept the parties' recommendations for
findings that: (1) a violation of Section 1103(f) occurred when Reiner used the authority of her
position to enter into a consulting contract with the Township to provide stormwater assessments
and other related work without an open and public process; and (2) a violation of Section 1103(a)
of the Ethics Act occurred when Reiner was compensated as a Township Consultant for
performing the duties of a Township Supervisor.
Reiner, 24-0008-C
Page 14
In 2021, at the suggestion of Township Manager Furlong, Township Supervisors Murphy
and Barbone approved the hiring of Reiner as a Township Consultant and the Township Auditors
approved pay rates for Reiner's performance of various tasks, including stormwater inspections.
The agreement/arrangement between Reiner and the Township for her to perform work as a
Township Consultant constituted a contract.
Although Reiner performed work for the Township as a Township Consultant from August
2021 through December 2022, no official action was taken by the Board of Supervisors to hire
Reiner as a Township Consultant for 2021 or 2022. Reiner used the authority of her public office
as a Township Supervisor at the Township reorganization meeting in January 2023 when she voted
in favor of a motion to appoint her as a Township Consultant, Because Reiner earned more than
$500 in each year that she worked as a Township Consultant fiiom 2021 through 2023, Section
1103(f) of the Ethics Act required that an open and public process be observed as to the contracting
between Reiner and the Township for her consulting services. However, an open and public
process was not followed to award consulting contracts to Reiner for any of those years.
Even though Reiner was compensated $1,875 per year for performing her responsibilities
as a Township Supervisor, from March 31, 2022, to November 30, 2023, Reiner billed the
Township a total of $2,632.76 for tasks performed as a Township Consultant that aligned with her
responsibilities as a Township Supervisor liaison to the Planning Commission. It is well
established that a township supervisor may not claiin and receive compensation for performing the
duties of a township supervisor other than the supervisory salary established by the township
pursuant to the Second Class Township Code. See, R.H. v. State Ethics Commission, 673 A.2d
1004 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1996). Therefore, Reiner received a private pecuniary gain when she claimed
and received compensation as a Township Consultant for duties attributable to her position as a
Township Supervisor. Cf., Tvardzik, Order 1623; Heintzelman, Order 1530; Gindlesperg`er, Order
1522; Mendez, Order 1481; Hahn, Order 1480.
Based upon the Stipulated Findings and Consent Agreement, we hold that; (1) a violation
of Section 1103(f) ofthe Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(f), occurred when Reiner used the authority
of her position to enter into a consulting contract with the Township to provide stormwater
assessments and other related work without an open and public process; and (2) a violation of
Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa,C.S. § 1103(a), occurred when Reiner was compensated
as a Township Consultant for performing the duties of a Township Supervisor.
As part of the Consent Agreement, Reiner has agreed to make payment in the amount of
$12,491.79 payable to Chadds Ford Township and forwarded to this Commission within six (6)
months of the issuance of the final adjudication in this matter. Reiner has further agreed to not
accept any reimbursement, compensation or other payment from the Township representing a full
or partial reimbursement of the amount paid in settlement of this matter. Additionally,
notwithstanding the nolle pros as to the allegation regarding Reiner's Statement of Financial
Interests for calendar year 2023, Reiner has agreed to file a complete and accurate amended
Statement of Financial Interests for calendar year 2023 with the Township, through this
Commission, within thirty (30) days of the issuance of the final adjudication in this matter.
We determine that the Consent Agreement submitted by the parties sets forth a proper
disposition of this case, based upon our review as reflected in the above analysis and the totality
Reiner, 24-0008-C
Page 15
of the facts and circumstances.
IV. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW:
1. As a Supervisor for Chadds Ford Township ("Township"), Delaware County,
Pennsylvania, since February 2015, Samantha Reiner ("Reiner") has been a public official
subject to the provisions of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act ("Ethics Act"), 65
Pa.C.S. § 1101 et sec
2. A violation of Section 1103(f) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(f), occurred when
Reiner used the authority of her position to enter into a consulting contract with the
Township to provide stormwater assessments and other related work without an open and
public process.
3. A violation of Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred when
Reiner was compensated as a Township Consultant for performing the duties of a
Township Supervisor.
In Re: Samantha Reiner, File Docket: 24-0008-C
Respondent Date Decided: 9/18/25
Date Mailed: 9/22/25
1. A violation of Section 1103(f) of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act ("Ethics
Act"), 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(f), occurred when Samantha Reiner ("Reiner"), in her capacity
as a Supervisor for Chadds Ford Township ("Township"), Delaware County, Pennsylvania,
used the authority of her position to enter into a consulting contract with the Township to
provide stormwater assessments and other related work without an open and public
process.
2. A violation of Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred when
Reiner was compensated as a Township Consultant for performing the dirties of a
Township Supervisor.
3. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Reiner is directed to make payment in the amount
of $12,491.79 payable to Chadds Ford Township and forwarded to the Pennsylvania State
Ethics Commission within six (6) months of the issuance of this Order.
4. Reiner is directed to not accept any reimbursement, compensation or other payment from
the Township representing a Rill or partial reimbursement of the amount paid in settlement
of this matter.
5. To the extent she has not already done so, Reiner is directed to file a complete and accurate
amended Statement of Financial Interests for calendar year 2023 with the Township,
through this Conunission, by no later than the thirtieth (30"') day after the mailing date of
this Order.
6. Compliance with paragraphs 3, 4, and 5 of this Order will result in the closing of this case
with no further action by this Commission.
a. Non-compliance will result in the institution of an order enforcement action.
BY THE COMMISSION,
/F
Michael A. Schwartz, Chair