The Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission has issued a final adjudication in the following matters under
The Ethics Act
HARRISBURG, PA –
Order No. 1851 (Mowry)
Member of the Board of Directors
Cecil Township Municipal Authority
Washington County, PA
ORDER SUMMARY:
1. A violation of Section 1103(a) of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred when Patricia Mowry (“Mowry”), as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Cecil Township Municipal Authority (“Authority”), used the authority of her office to perform accounting consulting services for the Authority without the Authority’s prior approval, resulting in her receipt of a private pecuniary gain.
2. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Mowry is directed to make payment in the amount of $5,362.50 payable to Cecil Township Municipal Authority and forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission by no later than two (2) years after the mailing date of this Order.
3. Mowry is directed to not accept any reimbursement, compensation or other payment from the Authority representing a full or partial reimbursement of the amount paid in settlement of this matter.
4. To the extent she has not already done so, Mowry is directed to file complete and accurate amended Statements of Financial Interests for calendar years 2019, 2020, and 2022 with the Authority, through the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, by no later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the mailing date of this Order.
5. Compliance with paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 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. 1852 (Coffman)
Supervisor
Saltlick Township
Fayette 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 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 (30th) 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 (30th) day after the mailing date of this Order.
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. Non-compliance will result in the institution of an order enforcement action.
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1851 Patricia Mowry:
1852 Timothy Coffman: