The Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission has issued a final adjudication in the following matters under
The Ethics Act
HARRISBURG, PA –
Order No. 1853 (Slezak)
Supervisor
Pittston Township
Luzerne County, PA
ORDER SUMMARY:
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 David Slezak (“Slezak”), as a Supervisor for Pittston Township (“Township”), Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, used the authority of his office to direct Township employees to perform work on his private property while being compensated by the Township and using Township equipment and materials and when he received compensation from the Township for performing Roadmaster duties when he instead was attending to Supervisor duties.
2. A violation of Section 1105(b) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1105(b), occurred when Slezak failed to accurately file Statements of Financial Interests for calendar years 2021 and 2022 by failing to report all direct/indirect sources of income and failing to adequately report his status and current positions of public office and public employment.
3. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Slezak is directed to make payment in the amount of $6,888.04 payable to Pittston Township and forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission by no later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the mailing date of this Order.
4. Slezak 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.
5. To the extent he has not already done so, Slezak is directed to file complete and accurate amended Statements of Financial Interests for calendar years 2021 and 2022 with the Township, through the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, by no later than the thirtieth (30th) 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.
Order No. 1854 (Neely)
Member of Council
Lewis Run Borough
McKean County, PA
ORDER SUMMARY:
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 Scott Neely (“Neely”), as a Member of Council for Lewis Run Borough (“Borough”), McKean County, Pennsylvania, lobbied for and/or voted to award a contract to install security cameras at the Borough building to Neely Communications, Inc., resulting in a private pecuniary benefit to Neely Communications, Inc., a business with which his son is associated.
2. A violation of Section 1105(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1105(a), occurred when Neely filed a deficient Statement of Financial Interests for calendar year 2023 by failing to include his address.
3. A violation of Sections 1105(a) and 1105(b)(1), (3), (4), and (6)-(10) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1105(a) and 1105(b)(1), (3), (4), and (6)-(10), occurred when Neely filed a deficient Statement of Financial Interests for calendar year 2024 when he failed to include the following information: his address; his governmental body; the correct year for which he was filing; any direct or indirect interest in any real estate sold or leased to the Commonwealth; the name and address of the source and amount of any gift(s) valued at $250 or more; the name and address of the source and the amount of payment of expenses for transportation and lodging or hospitality valued at more than $650; any office, directorship, or employment in any business entity; any financial interest in any legal entity engaged in business for profit; and the identity of any financial interest in a business transferred to an immediate family member.
4. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Neely is directed to make payment in the amount of $500.00 payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission by no later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the mailing date of this Order.
5. Neely is directed to not accept any reimbursement, compensation or other payment from the Borough representing a full or partial reimbursement of the amount paid in settlement of this matter.
6. To the extent he has not already done so, Neely is directed to file complete and accurate amended Statements of Financial Interests for calendar years 2023 and 2024 with the Borough, through the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, by no later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the mailing date of this Order.
7. Compliance with paragraphs 4, 5, and 6 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.
Order No. 1855 (Ebright)
Supervisor
Montour Township
Columbia County, PA
ORDER SUMMARY:
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 Lori Ebright (“Ebright”), as a Supervisor for Montour Township, participated in actions, including voting, which resulted in the hiring of her daughter as the Planning Commission Clerk, Zoning Hearing Board Secretary, and Codes/Zoning Officer, resulting in a private pecuniary benefit to her daughter.
2. A violation of Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred when Ebright participated in actions, including voting, which resulted in a raise for her daughter, resulting in a private pecuniary benefit to her daughter.
3. A violation of Sections 1105(b)(5)-(10) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1105(b)(5)-(10), occurred when Ebright filed a deficient Statement of Financial Interests (“SFI”) for calendar year 2020 when she failed to disclose the name and address of any direct or indirect source of income totaling in the aggregate $1,300 or more; failed to list gifts valued at $250 or more; failed to disclose transportation, lodging, or hospitality exceeding $650; failed to list office, directorship, or employment in any business; failed to list financial interest in any legal entity in business for profit; and failed to list business interests transferred to immediate family member.
4. A violation of Sections 1105(b)(3)-(7) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1105(b)(3)-(7), occurred when Ebright filed a deficient SFI for calendar year 2021 when she failed to disclose real estate interests sold or leased to the Commonwealth, any of its agencies or political subdivisions; failed to list creditors to whom she owed more than $6,500; failed to disclose the name and address of any direct or indirect source of income totaling in the aggregate $1,300 or more; failed to list gifts valued at $250 or more; and failed to disclose transportation, lodging, or hospitality exceeding $650.
5. A violation of Sections 1105(b)(2)-(10) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1105(b)(2)-(10), occurred when Ebright filed a deficient SFI for calendar year 2022 when she failed to disclose her occupation; failed to disclose real estate interests sold or leased to the Commonwealth, any of its agencies or political subdivisions; failed to list creditors to whom she owed more than $6,500; failed to disclose the name and address of any direct or indirect source of income totaling in the aggregate $1,300 or more; failed to list gifts valued at $250 or more; failed to disclose transportation, lodging, or hospitality exceeding $650; failed to list office, directorship, or employment in any business; failed to list financial interest in any legal entity in business for profit; and failed to list business interests transferred to immediate family member.
6. A violation of Sections 1105(b)(2) and (5) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1105(b)(2) and (5), occurred when Ebright filed a deficient SFI for calendar year 2023 when she failed to list her occupation and failed to report all direct or indirect sources of income totaling in the aggregate $1,300 or more.
7. A violation of Sections 1105(b)(3)-(10) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1105(b)(3)-(10), occurred when Ebright filed a deficient SFI for calendar year 2024 when she failed to disclose real estate interests sold or leased to the Commonwealth, any of its agencies or political subdivisions; failed to list creditors to whom she owed more than $6,500; failed to disclose the name and address of any direct or indirect source of income totaling in the aggregate $1,300 or more; failed to list gifts valued at $250 or more; failed to disclose transportation, lodging, or hospitality exceeding $650; failed to list office, directorship, or employment in any business; failed to list financial interest in any legal entity in business for profit; and failed to list business interests transferred to immediate family member.
8. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Ebright is directed to make payment in the amount of $1,819.80 payable to Montour Township and forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission by no later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the mailing date of this Order.
9. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Ebright is directed to make payment in the amount of $750.00 payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission by no later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the mailing date of this Order.
10. Ebright is directed to not accept any reimbursement, compensation or other payment from Montour Township representing a full or partial reimbursement of the amount paid in settlement of this matter.
11. Compliance with paragraphs 8, 9, and 10 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.
Order No. 1856 (Nazarenko)
Supervisor
Madison Township
Lackawanna County, PA
ORDER SUMMARY:
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 Andrew Nazarenko (“Nazarenko”), as a Supervisor for Madison Township, participated in discussions about and voted to accept a bid from Pella Windows and Doors of Northeast Pennsylvania, resulting in a pecuniary benefit to Pella Windows and Doors of Northeast Pennsylvania, a business with which his daughter is associated.
2. A violation of Section 1105(b)(3) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1105(b)(3), occurred when Nazarenko filed a deficient Statement of Financial Interests (“SFI”) for calendar year 2020 when he failed to disclose whether he had any direct or indirect interest in any real estate sold or leased to the Commonwealth, its agencies, or any political subdivisions thereof.
3. A violation of Sections 1105(b)(3) and 1105(b)(4) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1105(b)(3) and 1105(b)(4), occurred when Nazarenko filed a deficient SFI for calendar year 2021 when he failed to disclose the name and address of each creditor to whom he owed more than $6,500 and the interest rate thereon and when he failed to disclose whether he had any direct or indirect interest in any real estate sold or leased to the Commonwealth, its agencies, or any political subdivisions thereof.
4. A violation of Sections 1105(b)(1) and 1105(b)(4) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1105(b)(1) and 1105(b)(4), occurred when Nazarenko filed a deficient SFI for calendar year 2022 when he failed to include his address and when he failed to disclose the interest rate on any loan in an amount in excess of $6,500.
5. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Nazarenko is directed to make payment in the amount of $750.00 payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission by no later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the mailing date of this Order.
6. Nazarenko is directed to not accept any reimbursement, compensation or other payment from Madison Township representing a full or partial reimbursement of the amount paid in settlement of this matter.
7. Compliance with paragraphs 5 and 6 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.
Order No. 1857 (Young)
Constable and Code Enforcement Officer
Sheffield Township
Warren County, PA
ORDER SUMMARY:
1. Shawn Young (“Young”) violated Section 1103(a) of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act (“Ethics Act”), 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), when he used the authority of his office as the Code Enforcement Officer for Sheffield Township, Warren County, to dismiss summary ordinance charges in order to obtain ownership of real property.
2. Young, as the Code Enforcement Officer for Sheffield Township, violated Section 1103(c) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(c), when he solicited and accepted ownership of real property in exchange for dismissing summary ordinance charges.
3. Young, as a Constable, violated Sections 1105(a), 1105(b)(8), and 1105(b)(9) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1105(a), 1105(b)(8), and 1105(b)(9), when he: (a) filed a deficient Statement of Financial Interests (“SFI”) for calendar year 2020 when he failed to disclose his office, directorship, or employment in any business and failed to disclose his financial interest in any legal entity in business for profit; and (b) filed deficient SFIs for calendar years 2021 and 2022 by failing to disclose his office, directorship, or employment in any business.
4. Young, as the Code Enforcement Officer for Sheffield Township, violated Section 1104(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1104(a), when he failed to file SFIs for calendar years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
5. Young, as the Code Enforcement Officer for Pleasant Township, Warren County, violated Section 1104(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1104(a), when he failed to file SFIs for calendar years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
6. Young, as the Code Enforcement Officer for Glade Township, Warren County, violated Section 1104(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1104(a), when he failed to file SFIs for calendar years 2022, 2023, and 2024.
7. Young is directed to make payment of a treble penalty in the amount of $87,900.00 into the State Treasury of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which payment shall be made payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission by no later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the mailing date of this Order, for the Pennsylvania Office of the State Treasurer to deposit in the General Fund of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
8. We hereby levy four maximum civil penalties against Young in the amount of $250 each, for a total of $1,000 for his delinquent or deficient SFIs for calendar years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
9. Young is directed to make payment of the aforesaid civil penalties in the total amount of $1,000 by no later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the mailing date of this Order, by forwarding to this Commission a certified check or money order in the amount of $1,000 made payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, for deposit in the State Treasury.
10. Young is directed to file complete and accurate amended SFIs for calendar years 2020, 2021, and 2022 with this Commission by no later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the mailing date of this Order.
11. Young is directed to file complete and accurate SFIs for calendar years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 with both Sheffield Township and Pleasant Township and complete and accurate SFIs for calendar years 2022, 2023, and 2024 with Glade Township and to forward copies of such filings to this Commission by no later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the mailing date of this Order.
12. Young is directed to not accept any reimbursement, compensation or other payment from Sheffield Township, Pleasant Township, or Glade Township representing a full or partial reimbursement of the aforesaid treble penalty or civil penalties.
13. Non-compliance with Paragraph 7, 9, 10, 11, or 12 of this Order will result in the institution of an order enforcement action.
14. This matter will be referred to the Office of the Warren County District Attorney and the Office of the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with our recommendation that criminal prosecutions be instituted against Young.
You may access the full text version of the above rulings by clicking on the link below or by copying and pasting them into your browser:
1853 David Slezak:
1854 Scott Neely:
1855 Lori Ebight:
1856 Andrew Nazarenko:
1857 Shawn Young: