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In Re: Timothy Coffman,
Respondent
STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
FINANCE BUILDING
613 NORTH STREET, ROOM 309
HARRISBURG, PA 17120-0400
File Docket:
Order No,
Date Decided:
Date Mailed:
23-0068-C
1852
1/14/26
1/23/26
Before: Michael A. Schwartz, Chair
David L. Reddecliff, Vice Chair
Paul E. Parsells
Robert P. Caruso
This is a final adjudication of the State Ethics Commissions
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 sec 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:
r Commissioner Robert P. Caruso served as Executive Director of the Commission from January 2013 until his
retirement in April 2022. During his tenure, he developed a social relationship with the Commission's Western
Regional Director of Investigations, Jason P. Bricker, who conducted the investigation of this case. Based upon his
social relationship with Mr. Bricker, Commissioner Caruso initially recused from this matter. However, on the day of
the Commission meeting, Commissioner Emilia McKee Vassallo was unexpectedly unable to attend the meeting. As
a result, the Commission did not have a quorum to decide this matter.
Accordingly, the Commission invoked the rule of necessity, a common law judicial principle that when a quorum
cannot be reached due to recusals from expressed conflicts, the tribunal must consider the case despite the personal
interest or bias of its members, where otherwise the agency could not carry out its duties and the litigants would be
denied a decision in the matter. Iflells v. Unemployment Compensation Board of Review, 236 A.3d 108, 111 (Pa.
Cmwlth. 2019); Henderson v. Unemployment Compensation Board of ReWeuv, 77 A.3d 699, 717 (Pa. Cmwlth.
2013); Stroudsburg Area School District v. Kelly, 701 A.2d 1000, 1003 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1997); Sileman v. City of
Allentown, 695 A.2d 888, 891-92 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1997). Alter disclosing the nature of his conflict on the record and
taking into consideration that this was a consent agreement in which Mr. Bricker's credibility was not at issue,
Commissioner Caruso participated in the deliberations of this matter under the rule of necessity.
Coffman, 23-0068-C
Page 2
That Timothy Coffman, a public official as a Supervisor for Saltlick Township
("Township"), Fayette County, Pennsylvania, violated Sections 1103(a) and 1103(f) of the Ethics
Act:
(1) When he used the authority of his office to add a second cellular telephone line in
his name to the Township's plan, which line was used by his daughter, causing the
Township to pay for additional cellular telephone expenses and resulting in a
private pecuniary benefit to himself and/or a member of his immediate family;
(2) When he used the authority of his office to receive compensation as the Township
Secretaty/Treasurer while already receiving wages as a full-time working
Township Supervisor and Roadmaster, resulting in a private pecuniary benefit to
himself,
(3) When he used the authority of his office to impermissibly carry over paid time off
("PTO") hours and convert them to compensatory time, resulting in a private
pecuniary benefit to himself; and
(4) When Tim Coffman Seal Coating and Line Painting, LLC, a business with which
he is associated, entered into a contract with the Township valued at $500 or more
without an open and public process.
II. FINDINGS:
1. Timothy Coffman ("Coffman") served as a Member of the Saltlick Township
("Township"), Fayette County, Board of Supervisors ("Board") from January 3, 2012, to
January 2, 2024.
a. Coffman served as the Township Secretaty ("Secretary") from December 1, 2021,
to January 3, 2022.
b. Coffman served as the Township Secretary/Treasurer ("Secretaty/Treasurer") from
January 3, 2022, to April 5, 2022.
C. Coffman was employed as a fuull-time working Roadmaster during his entire
Supervisor tenure.
2. The Township is a Second Class Township governed by a three -member Board.
3. The Supervisors conduct a specific vote at each legislative meeting to approve payment of
the prior calendar month's bills and employee payroll.
4. The Township General Fund and the Township Payroll Fund accounts are housed at First
National Bank.
Coffman, 23-0068-C
Page 3
a. Signature authority over the Township General Fund and Township Payroll Fund
accounts is maintained by the Township Secretary/Treasurer and at least one
Supervisor,
THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS RELATE TO THE ALLEGATION THAT COFFMAN
USED HIS POSITION AS A SUPERVISOR AND ROADMASTER TO IMPERMISSIBLY
CARRY OVER PAID TIME OFF ("PTO") HOURS FROM ONE CALENDAR YEAR TO
THE NEXT AND CONVERT THEM TO COMPENSATORY TIME.
5, The Pennsylvania Second Class Township Code ("Code") contains information regarding
the legislation, operation, and administration of Second Class Townships within the
Commonwealth.
a. Pursuant to the Code, the duties of township supervisors include the general
governance of the township and the execution of legislative, executive, and
administrative powers to ensure the sound fiscal management and to secure the
health, safety, and welfare of citizens of the township.
6. Per Article VI, Section 602 of the Code, a board of supervisors may appoint a supervisor
to be employed as roadmaster, laborer, secretary, treasurer, assistant secretary, assistant
treasurer, or in any employee capacity not otherwise prohibited by the Code or any other
act,
7, Supervisors desiring to be employed by their municipality in a working capacity are
prohibited from setting their own compensation.
a. Section 606(a) of the Code specifies, in part, that:
"The compensation of supervisors, when employed as roadmasters, laborers,
secretary, treasurer, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer or in any employe
capacity not otherwise prohibited by this or any other act, shall be determined by
the board of auditors, at an hourly, daily, weekly, semi-monthly or monthly basis,
which shall be comparable to compensation paid in the locality for similar
services."
8. Sections 703 and 803 of the Code collectively prohibit the receipt of hourly compensation
for work as a superintendent, roadmaster or laborer for time spent in the performance of
the duties of the township treasurer and the township secretary,
9. Pursuant to Section 901 of the Code, the board of auditors is responsible for conducting an
annual organizational meeting the first day after the annual organizational meeting of the
Coffman, 23-0068-C
Page 4
township supervisors, for purposes that include establishing the compensation for the
current year for supervisors to be employed by their municipality in a working capacity.
10, The Township employed an average of four to five Rill -time employees, including working
Supervisors in a Roadmaster capacity, and various seasonal employees on its road crew
during the period of 2020 through 2023.
11, Township organizational meetings from 2020 through 2023 consistently document
Coffman's annual appointment to a position of employment as a working
Supervisor/Township Roadmaster (a "Working Supervisor").
a. Coffman was not employed in any full-time capacity during his service as a
Township Supervisor other than that of Working Supervisor.
Coffman has owned and operated a private business known as Tim Coffman
Seal Coating & Line Painting in a private capacity since at least 1999.
2. Coffman continued to operate his business while serving as a Township
Roadmaster.
12. The Township Auditors ("Auditors") set the wages and benefits, including paid time off
("PTO") for vacation, sick, and personal days, for the Working Supervisors at their
organizational meetings from 2020 through 2023.
13. Full-time Township road crew employees work a scheduled forty -hour week from Monday
through Thursday consisting of ten-hour workdays.
14, Full-time Township employees, including Working Supervisors, who work more than forty
hours in one work week may choose receipt of overtime wages or compensatory time for
the excess hours.
15. The Township utilizes a one -page timesheet to identify and record employee attendance as
well as the total number and type of hours worked or utilized (regular, overtime, holiday,
or PTO) on a weekly basis.
16. The weekly timesheets are submitted to the Secretary/Treasurer every Monday for the
processing of payroll.
a. The Secretary/Treasurer inputs each employee's hours worked and any PTO used
into the Township's Quickbooks system based on the information from the
timesheets.
Each employee's total number of vacation, sick, and personal days is
converted to hours and a lump sum total of PTO hours is credited to each
employee at the beginning of each calendar year.
Coffman, 23-0068-C
Page 5
17. Township employees are required to use the entire allotment of PTO credited to them at
the beginning of a calendar year by the conclusion of the calendar year in which credited.
a. An unused balance of PTO at the end of the calendar year in which credited cannot
be carried over or added to the PTO credited in the following year or added into
compensatory time for firture use.
1. Any balance of PTO unused at the conclusion of the calendar year in which
it is credited is forfeited/lost.
18. Coffman was due PTO for calendar years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 in his capacity as a
Working Supervisor as detailed below:
PTO Type
2020
2021
2022
2023
Vacation
80.0
80.0
120.0
120.0
Sick
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Personal
20.0
20.0
20.0
20.0
Total PTO Hours
200.00
200.00
240.00
240.00
19. In addition to his allotted PTO, Coffinan was credited with compensatory time for paid
holidays worked, paid holidays falling on a regular day off, and hours worked in excess of
forty in one week for which he did not elect to receive overtime.
20. Coffman's compensatory time log contained various errors regarding the accrual of
compensatory time, including the impermissible addition of 67 hours of unused PTO on
December 31, 2021.
21. As of May 7, 20202, Coffman had an existing balance of 130.0 legitimate compensatory
hours available for use regarding his Township employment.
22. From May 8, 2020, through December 31, 2023, Coffman accrued an additional 138.75
flours of legitimate compensatory time, bringing Coffman's total legitimate compensatory
time available for use during the period of May 8, 2020, to December 31, 2023, to 268.75
hours.
23. Coffman's compensatory time log detailed his use of approximately 316.5 hours of
compensatory time as a Working Supervisor between May 8, 2020, and December 31,
2023.
2 May 7, 2020, represents the start date for the Ethics Act five-year statute of Iimitations associated with this matter.
Coffman, 23-0068-C
Page 6
24. Coffman utilized approximately 13.25 compensatory time hours on December 27th and
28"', 2023, which were not available but for which he received his regular Working
Supervisor wages.
a. The value of the hours totaled $313.36 based on Coffman's 2023 wage of $23.65
per hour.
25. Coffman subsequently received a payout from the Township for an alleged positive balance
of 33.5 hours of compensatory time upon his separation from Township employment as a
Working Supervisor which he had not earned or accrued.
a. The value of the 33.5 hours totaled $792,28 based on Coffman's 2023 wage of
$23.65 per hour.
26. Coffman received compensation from the Township's payroll fund in his capacity as a
Working Supervisor totaling $1,105.64 as a result of his use of and payment for
compensatory time which he had not earned or accrued as detailed below:
Check
Check
Check
Payroll
Comp Hrs.
Comp Hrs.
Date
Date
No.
Anit.
Period
Claimed*
Value
Negotiated
01/03/24
60246
$1,738.28
12/25/23—12/31/23^
46.75
$1,105.64
01/08/24
*Represents only the number of comp hours in negative balance and/or unavailable
Nnclades compensation received for payout of 33.5 unavailable compensatory hours
27. Coffman realized a financial gain of approximately $1,105.64 when he claimed, utilized,
and received payment for 13.25 hours of unavailable compensatory time in the 2023
calendar year and when he received a payout for 33.5 hours of compensatory time for the
2023 calendar year after his available compensatory time had been exhausted.
THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS RELATE TO COFFMAN OBTAINING A SECOND LINE
IN HIS NAME ON THE TOWNSHIP'S CELLULAR TELEPHONE ACCOUNT FOR HIS
DAUGHTER AND COFFMAN'S FAILURE TO HAVE THE CORRECT AMOUNT
DEDUCTED FROM HIS WEEKLY PAY TO ACCOUNT FOR THE SERVICE.
28, The Township has maintained a cellular telephone account in its name since at least
September 25, 2008, to supply cellular telephones and service to its employees.
29. The Township permits its employees to utilize Township -provided cellular telephones for
personal use.
30. The Township utilized Verizon as its cellular telephone provider from at least September
25, 2008, through August 25, 2024.
31. The Township paid all charges and fees for the cellular service associated with its Verizon
account via check from the Township General Fund or by use of a Township credit card,
Coffman, 23-0068-C
Page 7
a. Township employees supplied with cellular phones and cellular phone service
through the Township's account were not required to pay or reimburse the
Township for personal use of their assigned cellular phones.
32. All individual cellular phone numbers and each number's respective use/activity were
documented on the monthly Verizon account statements associated with the Township's
account.
a. A specific cellular telephone number was assigned to each individual Township
employee on the Township's Verizon plan.
33. Two separate lines in Coffman's name were added to the Township's Verizon account
within two weeks of Coffman taking office.
a. Both of Coffman's Township -provided cellular lines bore effective service dates of
January 16, 2012.
1. The telephone numbers associated with the lines in Coffman's name on the
Township's account were 814-442-8231 and 814-289-7329.
aa. Coffman maintained a personal cellular account in his name with an
assigned cellular number of 814-442-8231 prior to his taking office
as a Township Supervisor/Roadmaster.
bb. Cellular number 814-442-8231 was transferred from Coffman's
personal cellular account to the Township's Verizon account.
34. Skylar Womack is Coffman's daughter.
35. Cellular telephone numbers 814-442-8231 and 814-289-7329 were documented under
Coffman's name on the Township's monthly Verizon statement from at least May 12,
2020, through January 19, 2023.
a. Womack utilized cellular number 814-289-7329 and the equipment associated with
it as her personal cellular telephone from at least May 13, 2020, through January
19, 2023.
1. Womack did not serve as a Township employee or representative at any
time from January 16, 2012, through January 19, 2023.
36. From the May 12, 2020, bill date through the June 12, 2021, bill date, Coffman's extra
cellular line (814-289-7329) incurred fees on the Township's Verizon account totaling
approximately $542.35 as detailed below:
Bill Date
Invoice No.
Monthly Fee*
Fees x-7329
5/12/2020
9854515647
$426.19
$46.04
6/12/2020
9856558194
$411.16
$46.04
Coffinan, 23-0068-C
Page 8
Bill Date
Invoice No.
Montle*
Fees x-7329
7/12/2020
9858603346
$477.38
$46.52
8/12/2020
9860657263
$492.68
$44.64
9/12/2020
9862730014
$453.16
$44.64
10/4/2020
9864818230
$451.13
$44.67
11/12/2020
9866920293
$456.68
$44.67
12/12/2020
9869035729
$45791
$44.67
1/12/2021
9871149273
$451.84
$44.76
2/12/2021
9873262110
$404.48
$14.10
3/12/2021
9875393035
$390.43
$24.53
4/12/2021
9877535033
$391.36
$24.57
5/12/2021
9879675918
$396.36
$24.57
6/12/2021
9881824255
$579.94
$47.93
Total
W2.35
•r<epresems enure account monEniy tee
37. From approximately May 13, 2020, through June 12, 2021, approximately $585.76, by way
of a weekly deduction of $10.28, was deducted from Coffman's Working Supervisor
payroll to account for the expense incurred by the Township for Coffman's second line and
equipment.
38. The Township's July 12, 2021, Verizon statement for the June 13, 2021, through July 12,
2021, service period documented the purchase of equipment through the Township's
account in association with Coffman's extra cellular line.
a. A new cellular telephone was obtained for cellular telephone number 814-289-7329
in the amount of $1,399.99 under Device Payment Agreement 1968754392.
39. From the July 12, 2021, bill date through the February 12, 2023, bill date, expenses totaling
$1,754.87 were assessed to the Township's Verizon account in association with Coffman's
extra cellular line (814-289-7329) and the purchase of equipment for the extra line as
detailed below:
Bill Date
Invoice No.
Monthly Fee*
Fees x-7329
7/12/2021
9883981673
$600.19
$140.43
8/12/2021
9886152290
$488,02
$70.36
9/12/2021
9888326243
$699.50
$93.59
10/12/2021
9890517186
$603.00
$93.27
11/12/2021
9892724716
$418.77
$70.24
12/12/2021
9894955127
$418.78
$70.24
1/12/2022
9897193659
$418.32
$70.19
2/12/2022
9899439162
$282,93
$70.28
3/12/2022
9901716394
$323.24
$70.28
4/12/2022
9904038554
$323.14
$70.26
5/12/2022
9906377550
$459.70
$70.22
Coffman, 23-0068-C
Page 9
Bill Date
Invoice No.
Montle*
Fees x-7329
6/12/2022
9908707906
$394.16
$70.22
7/12/2022
9911021955
$406.21
$72.60
8/12/2022
9913352059
$732.50
$72.57
9/12/2022
9915695857
$564.66
$72.49
10/12/2022
9918062878
$564.16
$72.42
11/12/2022
9920447139
$564.16
$72.42
12/12/2022
9922827241
$564.80
$73.41
1/12/2023
9925207798
$3,305.23
$377.34A
2/12/2023
9927586338
$393.64
-$17.96
Total
$1,754.87
-t<epresents enure account ntontnty tee
^Includes payoff of eellular telephone purchased on 07/12/2021
40. From approximately June 16, 2021, through January 18, 2023, approximately $1,184.11
was deducted from Coffian's Working Supervisor payroll to account for the expense
incurred by the Township for Coffman's second line and equipment.
a. Coffman's automatic deduction increased from $10.28 per pay to $16.85 per pay
as of March 2, 2022.
41. The Township cellular phone account and the expenses associated with the account were
discussed at the January 4, 2023, Township Auditor's organizational meeting.
a. At the meeting, the Auditors reported that:
1. The cell phone expenses had increased from $355.00 to $565.00 monthly,
2. The cellular phones were for employees only and did not extend to family
members; and
3. Family members should be removed from the account.
42. Coffman's extra line under cellular number 814-289-7329 was disconnected from the
Township's Verizon account effective January 19, 2023, due to the discussion which
occurred at the Auditor's organizational meeting.
43. The Township incurred fees totaling $527.35 on its Verizon account over the period of
May 12, 2020, through January 18, 2023, as a result of Coffman maintaining an extra
cellular line and associated equipment on the Township account for his daughter's personal
use.
a. Coffman's extra line and equipment fees charged to the Township's Verizon
account for the period of May 12, 2020, through January 18, 2023, totaled
approximately $2,297.22.
Coffman, 23-0068-C
Page 10
b. Deductions taken from Coffman's Township payroll to account for the fees
assigned to his extra cellular Iine and associated equipment for the period of May
13, 2020, through January 18, 2023, totaled approximately $1,769.87.
44. Coffman consistently voted at Township meetings to approve bill lists on which payment
for the Township's Verizon account was documented, including Coffman's extra line and
equipment.
a. Township meeting minutes document Coffman voting in favor of paying the
Township's monthly bills at every Township meeting held from July 7, 2020,
through February 7, 2023, with the exception of the March 2, 2021, and November
3, 2021, Township meetings.
45. Coffman requested the addition of a second line on the Township's Verizon cellular
account and obtained a new cellular telephone for the second line through the Township's
account but failed to have $527.35 in necessary funds removed from his Township wages
to cover the expenses associated with the second line and equipment.
THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS RELATE TO COFFMAN RECEIVING
COMPENSATION AS THE SECRETARY/TREASURER WHILE ALREADY
RECEIVING WAGES AS A FULL-TIME WORKING SUPERVISOR AND
ROADMASTER, RESULTING IN A PRIVATE PECUNIARY PENEFIT TO HIMSELF.
46. Coffman served as a full-time employee in the position of Township Roadmaster
throughout his entire tenure as a Supervisor.
a. Coffman was also appointed to and held the position of Secretary from December
1, 2021, to January 3, 2022.
b. Coffman was additionally appointed to and held the position of Secretary/Treasurer
from January 3, 2022, to April 5, 2022.
47. The Township Supervisors began searching for a Secretary/Treasurer during or about
December 2021, as a result of a vacancy in the Secretary/Treasurer position.
48. Coffman was formally appointed as the Secretary at the Supervisors' December 1, 2021,
regular meeting.
a. No discussion was held at the meeting regarding Coffman's receipt of
compensation in association with his appointment as the Secretary.
49. Coffman did not perform the traditional administrative duties of the Secretary with the
exception of traveling to the post office to pick up or drop off Township mail.
a. Coffman continued to work and collect wages as a full-time Roadmaster while
appointed as the Secretary in December 2021.
Coffinan, 23-0068-C
Page 11
50. The Township outsourced a portion of the duties associated with the position of
Secretary/Treasurer to Bullskin Township Secretary/Treasurer Connie McKlveen for
completion in November and December 2021.
51. The Township also outsourced a portion of the duties associated with the position of
Treasurer to Shari Bukovac Bookkeeping for completion for the period of approximately
December 2021 to approximately March 2022.
a. Shari Bukovac Bookkeeping provided occasional limited assistance beyond March
2022 to Martie Cain ("Cain") as the newly -hired Secretary/Treasurer, effective
April 5, 2022, regarding payroll services.
52. At the Township's January 3, 2022, organizational meeting, Coffman was elected to the
position of Secretary/Treasurer.
a. Coffman was appointed to the position at a salary of "TBD" (To Be Determined).
1. Coffman informed Supervisors Bukovac and Grimm in advance of the
organizational meeting of his desire and eligibility to receive compensation
as the Secretary/Treasurer.
53. At the Auditors' organizational meeting on January 4, 2022, Coffman requested receipt of
compensation as the SecretatylTreasurer.
54. Coffman presented information to the Auditors regarding the state of the Township at that
time, including:
a. Coffman's appointment as the Secretary/Treasurer and the Township's
budget/finances being his primary responsibility; and
b. The hiring of Cain as the Township Office Clerk effective January 3, 2022, to
perform the day-to-day Secretary/Treasurer duties and report to Coffman in the
chain of command.
55. During his presentation to the Auditors, Coffman lobbied for his receipt of additional
compensation as the Secretary/Treasurer.
a. Coffman presented the Auditors with Article VII, Section 703, of the Code which
identified that:
1. A supervisor serving as township treasurer may receive compensation for
such as approved by the township auditors; and
2. A person may not receive hourly compensation for work as a
superintendent, roadmaster, or laborer for time spent in the performance of
the duties of township treasurer.
Coffinani, 23-0068-C
Page 12
56. At their January 4, 2022, organizational meeting, the Auditors approved a stipend for
Coffman in the amount of $600.00 per quarter for Coffman's service as the appointed
Secretary/Treasurer.
a. Although the Auditors approved compensation for Coffman as the
Secretaly/Treasurer, Coffman did not perform the duties of the SecretarylTreasurer
position for the period of January 3, 2022, to April 5, 2022.
1. Coffman's duties as the Township Treasurer were consistently performed
by Shari Bukovac Bookkeeping or Cain during Coffman's entire service as
the Secretary/Treasurer.
b. Coffman did not train or otherwise provide Cain with daily supervision, oversight,
or guidance in the performance of the Treasurer duties during his appointment as
the Secretary/Treasurer.
57. Coffman continuously worked as a Working Supervisor/Roadmaster while holding the
position of Secretary/Treasurer, except during Cain's approximate first two weeks of
employment.
a. Coffman spent approximately four eight -hour days with Cairn during each of Cain's
first two weeks of employment reviewing files on the Township's desktop
computer.
58. Coffman received his regular Working Supervisor/Roadmaster wages for approximately
eight hours each day from January 3, 2022, through January 6, 2022, and from January 10,
2022, through January 13, 2022, when Coffman was not performing his Roadmaster duties
or working in his Roadmaster capacity as detailed below:
Check Check Chccic Amt. Payroll
Date No, Gross Period
01/12/22 59464 $870.00 01/03/22 — 01/09/22
01/19/22 59476 $1,000.52^ 01/10/22-01/t6/22
"Includes overtime wages for++ Moues totaling S130.52
Hours
Hours Not
ComLHrs.
Date
Paid
worsted
Value (Gross)
Neizotiated
40.0
32.0
$696.00
01/20/22
44.0
32.0
$696.00
01/20/22
64.0 $1,392.00
a. Check Numbers 59464 and 59476 were written payable to Coffman in his capacity
as Roadmaster for forty hours worked during the January 3rd — January 9'h, 2022,
and January 10t1' — January 161", 2022, payroll periods respectively.
b. Coffman signed Check Numbers 59464 and 59476 as an authorized Township
signatory.
59, Check Numbers 59464 and 59476 were documented on the payroll register presented to
the Supervisors for approval at the Supervisors' February 1, 2022 legislative meeting.
Coffman, 23-0068-C
Page 13
a. Coffman seconded the motion for and voted in favor of payment of the monthly
bills.
The vote to approve the paying of the bills carried with no objections or
abstentions.
60. On or about March 17, 2022, Coffman directed Cain to generate a check for him in the
amount of $600.00 in his capacity as the Secretary/Treasurer.
61. Coffman was issued Check Number 59542 dated March 17, 2022, in the amount of
$1,068.75 (gross) for his 2022 first quarter Supervisor/Elected Official compensation
($468.75) and his first quarter Secretary/Treasurer compensation ($600.00).
a. Coffman signed Check Number 59542 as an authorized Township signatory.
62. Check Number 59542 was documented on the payroll register presented to the Supervisors
for approval at the Supervisors' April 5, 2022, legislative meeting.
a. Coffman seconded the motion for and voted in favor of payment of the monthly
bills.
1. The vote to approve the paying of the bills carried with no objections or
abstentions
63. Coffman realized a financial gain of at least $1,392.00 when he lobbied the Auditors for
compensation as the Secretary/Treasurer when he did not perform the duties of the position;
when he received Roadmaster wages for normal work hours utilized to review Township
records maintained by the prior Secretary/Treasurer; when he directed the Township Office
Clerk to issue him a check for first quarter compensation as the Secretary/Treasurer when
he was not performing the duties of the position; when he voted to approve bill Iists on
which his Roadmaster wages and Secretary/Treasurer compensation were documented;
and when he signed the checks as an authorized Township signatory.
THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS RELATE TO COFFMAN'S ENTERING INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN THE TOWNSHIP AND HIS PRIVATE BUSINESS, TIM
COFFMAN SEAL COATING & LINE PAINTING, LLC, VALUED AT $500.00 OR MORE
WITHOUT AN OPEN AND PUBLIC PROCESS.
64. Coffman is the sole owner/operator of Tim Coffman Sealcoating & Line Painting, LLC
("TCSLP").
65. TCSLP provides sealcoating and line painting services as well as general home
maintenance services such as construction, painting, pressure washing, etc.
66. TCSLP has no full -tinge or part-time employees.
a. Coffman uses subcontractors to provide the labor for services performed.
Coffinan, 23-0068-C
Page 14
67. In addition to performing services for citizens and businesses, Coffman performed multiple
services for the Township through TCSLP, including sealcoating and line painting of
Township -owned or Township -leased property, undercoating of a Township vehicle,
painting the nrunicipal building roof, etc.
68. After taking office in 2012, Coffman performed various services for the Township through
TCSLP which were not discussed at public meetings, voted on or formally approved by
the Board, or awarded through an open and public process.
a. Projects which needed to be addressed within the Township were, at times,
informally discussed by the Supervisors together, including sealcoating and/or Iine
painting.
1. Although informally discussed, the Board did not vote or otherwise publicly
award the work to Coffinan and/or TCSLP.
b. Coffman acted on his own initiative in completing the work.
1. Coffman often performed the work on weekends and submitted the
applicable invoice to the Secretary/Treasurer the following Monday for
processing and payment.
2. Coffman did not consistently inform the other Supervisors of his intention
to perfornr the services prior to completing the work.
69. Coffman performed work in the Township and submitted at least five invoices to the
Township for payment of services provided through TCSLP between approximately July
3, 2020, and September 9, 2022, totaling $2,485.00, which had not been approved for
completion or voted on by the Board as detailed below:
Invoice
Invoice
Description
Unit Cost Total Disposition
Date
No./Job Name
07/03/2020
0207312020
45 Gallons Scalmaster Asphalt Sealer
- $360.00^ Pd. Check # 82313
09/04/20
08/23/2021
None noted
I -- 5 Gallon Bucket White Line Paint
$I50.00 $250.00^ Pd Check # 82675,
Line Painter Rental
$100.00 08/27/21
09/12/2021 0109122021
None None
Parking Lot Municipal Building
White sherd=in Williams Line Paint
Line Lazer Rental
(1) 03/02/2022: $125.00
Fluid film Undercoating Applied to Ford
Dump Truck #22 (Scott)
(2) 07/24/2022: $250.00
Line Painting Resh Park Handicap Area
$250.00^ r@7r Pd Check # 82696;
09/12/21
$375.00— Pd Check # 83133;
08/31 /22
Coffinatr, 23-0068-C
Page 15
Invoice Invoice Description Unit Cost Total Disposition
Date No./Job Name
Pressure Wash $100,00 09/12/22
Sea[ $900.00
White Cross White Outer Perimeter $300.00
Total $2,485.00
^Written payable to TCSLP
Written payable to Tim Coffman
0Check written for only $200.00
70. Of the five invoices Coffman submitted to the Township for services performed through
TCSLP, Invoice No. 409092022 was submitted for services totaling $1,300,00.
71. Coffman realized a private pecuniary gain of approximately $2,485.00 when he performed
services in the Township through his private business, TCSLP, at his own discretion,
without the knowledge or approval of the Board, including at least one service totaling in
excess of $500.00 which was not approved by the Board or awarded through an open and
public process; and when he voted to approve bill lists presented at legislative meetings for
approval which documented payment to either himself or TCSLP for the services provided.
III. DISCUSSION:
As a Supervisor for Saltlick Township ("Township"), Fayette County, Pennsylvania, from
January 3, 2012, to January 2, 2024, Timothy Coffman ("Coffman") was a public official subject
to the provisions of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act ("Ethics Act"), 65 Pa.C.S. § 1101
et s ..
The relevant allegations in this matter are that Coffman violated Sections 1103(a) and
1103(f) of the Ethics Act:
(1) When he used the authority of his office to add a second cellular telephone line in
his name to the Township's plan, which line was used by his daughter, causing the
Township to pay for additional cellular telephone expenses and resulting in a
private pecuniary benefit to himself and/or a member of his immediate family;
(2) When he used the authority of his office to receive compensation as the Township
Secretary/Treasurer while already receiving wages as a full-time working
Township Supervisor and Roadmaster, resulting in a private pecuniary benefit to
himself;
(3) When he used the authority of his office to impermissibly carry over paid time off
("PTO") hours and convert them to compensatory time, resulting in a private
pecuniary benefit to himself; and
(4) When Tim Coffman Seal Coating and Line Painting, LLC, a business with which
he is associated, entered into a contract with the Township valued at $500 or more
without an open and public process.
Coffinan, 23-0068-C
Page 16
Per the Consent Agreement, the Investigative Division has exercised its prosecutorial discretion to
nolle pros other allegations, including allegations that Coffman's Statements of Financial Interests
for calendar years 2020 through 2024 were either delinquent or deficient.
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 pecuniary
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.
"Business." Any corporation, partnership, sole
proprietorship, firm, enterprise, franchise, association, organization,
self-employed individual, holding company, joint stock company,
receivership, trust or any legal entity organized for profit.
"Business with which lie is associated." Any business in
which the person or a member of the person's immediate family is a
director, officer, owner, employee or has a financial interest.
65 Pa. C.S. § 1102.
Coffinan, 23-0068-C
Page 17
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:
§ 1103. Restricted activities
(f) 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 employce as
the other party, concerning his expense, reimbursement, salary,
wage, retirement or other benefit, tenure or other matters in
Coffinan, 23-0068-C
Page 18
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 pertinent part, that no public official or
business with which the public official is associated may enter into a contract with his
governmental body valued at five hundred dollars or more unless the contract is awarded through
an open and public process including prior public notice and subsequent public disclosure of all
proposals considered and contracts awarded.
As noted above, the parties submitted a Stipulation of Findings with their Consent
Agreement. 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.
Coffman served as a Township Supervisor ("Supervisor") from January 2012 to January
2024, The Township is a Second Class Township governed by a three -member Board of
Supervisors (`Board"). Pursuant to the Second Class Township Code, a township board of
supervisors may appoint a supervisor to be employed in various capacities, including as a
roadmaster, secretary, treasurer, or in any other employee capacity not prohibited by Iaw. The
township board of auditors is responsible for establishing the compensation to be paid to a
supervisor employed with the township in any capacity.
Coffman's Extra Township Cell Phone Line
From September 2008 to August 2024, the Township maintained a cell phone account with
Verizon to supply cell phones and service to its employees. A specific cell phone number was
assigned to each individual Township employee on the Township's Verizon plan. The Township
permitted its employees to utilize the Township -provided cell phones for personal use at no charge.
Two separate cell phone lines in Coffman's name were added to the Township's Verizon
account within two weeks of Coffman taking office in January 2012. The first cell phone line was
for Coffman's personal cell phone number, which was transferred from his personal cell phone
account to the Township's Verizon account. The second cell phone line was assigned a different
cell phone number.
From at least May 13, 2020, through January 19, 2023, Coffman's daughter, Skylar
Womack, used Coffman's second cell phone line and the cell phone associated with it. Coffman's
daughter was not a Township employee or representative.
From May 12, 2020, through January 18, 2023, the fees assigned to Coffman's second cell
phone line on the Township's Verizon account totaled approximately $2,297.22. The fees
included a charge of $1,399.99 for a new cell phone, During that time, approximately $1,769.87
was deducted from Coffman's Working Supervisor wages to cover the expenses incurred by the
Township for his second cell phone line and equipment. Coffman failed to have an extra $527.35
deducted from his Township wages to fully cover the expenses associated with his second cell
Coffinan, 23-0068-C
Page 19
phone line and equipment. Coffman consistently voted at Board meetings to approve bill lists
that documented payment for the Township's Verizon account. Coffman's second cell phone line
was disconnected from the Township's Verizon account effective January 19, 2023, after the
Auditors reported at their January 4, 2023, organizational meeting that the Township cell phones
were for employees only.
Coffman's Appointment _as_the Secretary/Treasurer and Associated Compensation
During or about December 2021, the Supervisors began searching for a Secretary/Treasurer
due to a vacancy in that position. At the Board meeting on December 1, 2021, Coffman was
formally appointed as the Secretary. No discussion was held at the meeting with regard to
Coffman's receipt of compensation in relation to his appointment as the Secretary. Coffman did
not perform the traditional administrative duties of the Secretary other than picking up and
dropping off Township mail at the post office. The Township outsourced portions of the duties
associated with the positions of Secretary and Treasurer to another township's secretary/treasurer
and a bookkeeper for completion.
At the Township's January 3, 2022, organizational meeting, Coffman was appointed to the
position of Secretary/Treasurer, at a salary to be determined. Coffman had informed the other two
Supervisors in advance of the organizational meeting of his desire to receive compensation as the
Secretary/Treasurer.
At the Auditors' organizational meeting on January 4, 2022, Coffman requested that he
receive compensation for serving as the Secretary/Treasurer. Coffman noted that the Township's
budget/finances would be his primary responsibility and that Mai -tie Cain ("Cain") had been hired
as the Township Office Clerk effective January 3, 2022, to perform the day-to-day duties of the
Secretary/Treasurer and report to Coffman in the chain of command. The Auditors then approved
a stipend in the amount of $600 per quarter for Coffman for his service as the Secretary/Treasurer.
Coffman served as the Secretary/Treasurer until April 5, 2022, when Cain assumed that
position. Coffman continuously worked as a Working Supervisor while holding the position of
Secretary/Treasurer except between January 3, 2022, and .January 13, 2022, when he spent
approximately eight workdays with Cain reviewing files on the Township's desktop computer.
Coffman did not perform the duties of the Secretary/Treasurer position or train or otherwise
provide Cain with daily supervision, oversight, or guidance in the performance of her duties.
Although the Second Class Township Code prohibits the receipt of hourly compensation
for work as a roadmaster for time spent in the performance of the duties of a township
secretary/treasurer, Coffman received regular Working Supervisor wages totaling $1,392 for the
eight workdays that he spent reviewing files with Cain instead of performing his Working
Supervisor duties. Coffman signed as an authorized signatory two Township checks that included
payment of those wages to him, and at the Supervisors' meeting on Febtliary 1, 2022, he seconded
and voted in favor of a motion that approved the payroll register which documented these checks.
Although Coffman did not perform the duties of the Secretary/Treasurer position, on or
about March 17, 2022, he directed Cain to generate a check payable to him for his
Secretary/Treasurer stipend. Coffinan subsequently signed as an authorized Township signatory
Coffinan, 23-0068-C
Page 20
a Township check issued to him that included payment of $600 for his first quarter
Secretary/Treasurer stipend, and he additionally seconded and voted in favor of a motion that
approved the payroll register which documented this check.
Coffman's Use of Unearned/Unaccrued Compensatory Time
Coffman was employed frill -time with the Township as a Roadmaster throughout his tenure
as a Supervisor. Coffman's wages and benefits as a working Supervisor/Township Roadmaster (a
"Working Supervisor") were set by the Township Auditors at their annual organizational meeting.
At the beginning of each year from 2020 through 2023, Coffman was allotted vacation, sick, and
personal days that were converted to a total number of paid time off ("PTO") hours for his use.
As a Township employee, Coffman was required to use his entire allotment of PTO by the end of
the year, and any balance of unused PTO was to be forfeited and not carried over to the following
year or added to his compensatory time for future use.
In addition to his allotted PTO, Coffman was credited with compensatory time for paid
holidays worked, paid holidays falling on a regular day off, and hours worked in excess of forty in
one week for which he did not elect to receive overtime. Coffman's compensatory time log
contained various errors, including the addition of amounts of unused PTO. Although Coffman's
legitimate compensatory time available for use totaled 268.75 hours for the period of May 8, 2020,
to December 31, 2023, Coffman was paid for approximately 316.5 hours of compensatory time
during that period. As a result of Coffman claiming payment for compensatory time which he had
not earned or accrued as a Working Supervisor, he received compensation totaling $1,105.64 from
the Township.
Contracting Between the Township and Coffman's Business
Coffman is the sole owner/operator of Tim Coffman Sealcoating & Line Painting, LLC
("TCSLP"), which performs sealcoating, line painting, and other services. TCSLP has no
employees, and subcontractors are used to provide labor for the services performed.
After taking office in 2012, Coffman, through TCSLP, performed various services for the
Township, including sealcoating and line painting of Township -owned or Township -leased
property, which were not discussed at public meetings, voted on or formally approved by the
Board, or awarded through an open and public process. At times the Supervisors would informally
discuss work that needed to be done within the Township, and Coffman would act on his own
initiative to complete the work. Coffman submitted an invoice dated September 9, 2022, in the
amount of $1,300, to the Township for pressure washing, sealcoating, and other services provided
through TCSLP which had not been approved for completion or voted on by the Board. On
October 4, 2022, Coffman participated in a unanimous Board vote that approved a bill register
which included a check payable to him in the amount of $1,300.
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 allegation as
follows:
Coffinan, 23-0068-C
Page 21
The Investigative Division will recommend the following in relation to the
above allegation:
a. That a violation of Section 1103(a) of the Public Official and
Employee Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred when,
as a Saltlick Township Supervisor, Coffman used the
authority of his office to add a second cellular telephone line
in his name to the Township's plan, which line was used by
his daughter, causing the Township to pay for additional
cellular telephone expenses, resulting in a private pecuniary
benefit to himself and/or a member of his immediate family;
b. That a violation of Section 1103(a) of the Public Official and
Employee Ethics Act, 65 Pa. C.S. § 1103(a), occurred when,
as a Saltlick Township Supervisor, Coffman used the
authority of his office to receive compensation as the
Township Secretaty/Treasurer while already receiving
wages as a full-time working Township Supervisor and
Roadmaster, resulting in a private pecuniary benefit to
himself;
C. That a violation of Section 1103(a) of the Public Official and
Employee Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred when
Coffirian used the authority of his office to impermissibly
carry over PTO (paid time off) hours and convert them to
compensatory time, resulting in a private pecuniary benefit
to himself;
d. That a violation of Section 1103(f) of the Public Official and
Employee Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(f), occurred when
Ting Coffman Seal Coating & Line Painting, LLC, a business
with which Coffman is associated, entered into a contract
with the Township valued at $500 or more without an open
and public process;
4. Coffman agrees to make payment in the amount of $4,982.64 in settlement
of this matter payable to Saltlick Township, and forwarded to the
Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, within thirty (30) days of the
issuance of the final adjudication in this matter.
a. Regarding the violation related to Coffman's use of office to
add a second line on the Township's Verizon cellular
account for his daughter's use, there is no financial penalty
Coffinan, 23-0068-C
Page 22
to be imposed, as the pecuniary benefit was received by
Coffman's daughter.
5. Coffinan agrees to file complete and accurate Statements of Financial
Interests for calendar years 2020 and 2023 and complete and accurate
amended Statements of Financial Interests for calendar years 2021, 2022,
and 2024 with Saltlick Township, through the Pennsylvania State Ethics
Commission, within thirty (30) days of the issuance of the final adjudication
in this matter.
6. Coffman agrees to not accept any reimbursement, compensation, or other
payment from Saltlick 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
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 Coffman'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. Coffman 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. Coffman 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 2-4.
In considering the Consent Agreement, we accept the parties' recommendations for
findings that three violations of Section 1103(a) and one violation of Section 1103(f) of the Ethics
Act occurred in this matter. Coffman's various uses of the authority of his positions as a
Supervisor, a Working Supervisor, and the Secretary/Treasurer for the private pecuniary benefit
of himself or his daughter are detailed in the Stipulated Findings and the above summary of facts.
But for being in the aforesaid positions and using the authority of those positions, Coffman would
not have been able to: (1) allow his daughter to use a cell phone line that he had added to the
Township's Verizon account and for which he failed to fully reimburse the Township for the
expenses associated with the cell phone line and equipment, (2) vote to approve Township bill lists
that included payment for the Township's Verizon account, which effectively resulted in the
Coffman, 23-0068-C
Page 23
Township paying $527.35 for his daughter to be able to use the cell phone line and equipment; (3)
sign, as an authorize Township signatory, two checks payable to him that included Working
Supervisor wages totaling $1,392 for time spent in activities related to his appointment as the
Secretary/Treasurer rather than his Working Supervisor duties, in contravention of the Second
Class Township Code; (4) direct the Township Office Clerk to generate a check payable to him
for his $600 Secretary/Treasurer stipend despite his failure to perform the duties of the
Secretary/Treasurer position and sign, as an authorized Township signatory, the check that was
issued to him for his stipend; (5) carry over unused PTO as compensatory time contrary to
Township policy and claim and be paid compensation totaling $1,105.64 for compensatory time
that he had not earned or accrued; or (6) perform work for the Township that was not approved by
the Board through an open and public process, submit an invoice in the amount of $1,300 to the
Township for the work, and vote to approve the bill register that included payment to him for the
work.
Based upon the Stipulated Findings and the Consent Agreement, we hold that:
(1) A violation of Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred
when Coffman used the authority of his office to add a second cellular telephone
line in his name to the Township's plan, which line was used by his daughter,
causing the Township to pay for additional cellular telephone expenses, resulting
in a private pecuniary benefit to himself and/or a member of his immediate family;
(2) A violation of Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred
when Coffman used the authority of his office to receive compensation as the
Secretary/Treasurer while already receiving wages as a full-time working
Supervisor and Roadmaster, resulting in a private pecuniary benefit to himself;
(3) A violation of Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred
when Coffman used the authority of his office to impermissibly carry over PTO
(paid time off) hours and convert them to compensatory time, resulting in a private
pecuniary benefit to himself; and
(4) A violation of Section 1103(f) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(f), occurred
when TCSLP, LLC, a business with which Coffman is associated, entered into a
contract with the Township valued at $500 or more without an open and public
process.
As part of the Consent Agreement, Coffman has agreed to make payment in the amount of
$4,982.64 payable to the Township and forwarded to this Commission within thirty (30) days of
the issuance of the final adjudication in this matter. Coffman has further agreed 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. Additionally, notwithstanding the
nolle pros as to the allegations regarding Coffman's Statements of Financial Interests for calendar
years 2020 through 2024, Coffman has agreed to file complete and accurate Statements of
Financial Interests for calendar years 2020 and 2023 and complete and accurate amended
Statements of Financial Interests for calendar years 2021, 2022, and 2024 with the Township,
Coffinair, 23-0068-C
Page 24
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
of the facts and circumstances.
IV. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW:
As a Supervisor for Saltlick Township ("Township"), Fayette County, Pennsylvania, from
January 3, 2012, to January 2, 2024, Timothy Coffman ("Coffman") was a public official
subject to the provisions of the Public Official and Ernployee Ethics Act ("Ethics Act"), 65
Pa.C.S. § 1101 et seq.
2. A violation of Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred when
Coffman used the authority of his office to add a second cellular telephone line in his name
to the Township's plan, which line was used by his daughter, causing the Township to pay
for additional cellular telephone expenses, resulting in a private pecuniary benefit to
himself and/or a member of his immediate family.
3. A violation of Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred when
Coffman used the authority of his office to receive compensation as the Township
Secretary/Treasurer while already receiving wages as a firll-time working Township
Supervisor and Roadmaster, resulting in a private pecuniary benefit to himself.
4. A violation of ,Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred when
Coffman used the authority of his office to impermissibly carry over PTO (paid time off)
hours and convert them to compensatory time, resulting in a private pecuniary benefit to
himself.
5. A violation of Section 1103(f) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(f), occurred when Tim
Coffman Seal Coating and Line Painting, LLC, a business with which Coffman is
associated, entered into a contract with the Township valued at $500 or more without an
open and public process.
In Re: Timothy Coffman, File Docket: 23-0068-C
Respondent Date Decided: 1/14/26
Date Mailed: 1/23/26
ORDER NO. 1552
1. A violation of Section 1103(a) of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act ("Ethics
Act'), 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred when Timothy Coffman ("Coffman") used the
authority of his office as a Supervisor for Saltlick Township ("Township"), Fayette County,
Pennsylvania, to add a second cellular telephone line in his name to the Township's plan,
which line was used by his daughter, causing the Township to pay for additional cellular
telephone expenses, resulting in a private pecuniary benefit to himself and/or a member of
his immediate family.
2. A violation of Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred when
Coffman used the authority of his office to receive compensation as the Township
Secretary/Treasurer while already receiving wages as a full-time working Township
Supervisor and Roadmaster, resulting in a private pecuniary benefit to himself.
3. A violation of Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C,S. § 1103(a), occurred when
Coffman used the authority of his office to impermissibly carry over PTO (paid time off)
hours and convert them to compensatory time, resulting in a private pecuniary benefit to
himself.
4. A violation of Section 1103(f) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(f), occurred when Tim
Coffman Seal Coating and Line Painting, LLC, a business with which Coffman is
associated, entered into a contract with the Township valued at $500 or more without an
open and public process.
5. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Coffman is directed to make payment in the
amount of $4,982.64 payable to Saltlick Township and forwarded to the Pennsylvania State
Ethics Commission by no later than the thirtieth (30"') day after the mailing date of this
Order.
6. Coffman is directed 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.
7. To the extent he has not already done so, Coffman is directed to file complete and accurate
Statements of Financial Interests for calendar years 2020 and 2023 and complete and
accurate amended Statements of Financial Interests for calendar years 2021, 2022, and
2024 with the Township, through the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, by no later
than the thirtieth (30"') day after the mailing date of this Order.
Coffinan, 23-0068-C
Page 26
8. Compliance with paragraphs 5, 6, and 7 of this Order will result in the closing of this case
with no further action by this Commission.
a. Nan -compliance will result in the institution of an order enforcement action.
BY THEICOMMISSION,
Michael A. Schwartz, Chair