Order No. 1763 (Tarlecki)
Secretary and Treasurer and/or
Township Supervisor
Conyngham Township
Columbia County, PA 17888
ORDER SUMMARY:
1. Linda Tarlecki (“Tarlecki”), in her capacity(ies) as the Secretary and Treasurer for Conyngham Township (“Township”), Columbia County and/or a Township Supervisor, violated Section 1103(a) of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act (“Ethics Act”), 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), when she utilized the authority of her public office and/or employment for a private pecuniary benefit, when she converted public monies of the Township for her personal use by issuing payments to herself which were neither approved nor authorized by the Township Board of Supervisors.
2. Tarlecki violated Section 1104(a)/1105(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1104(a)/1105(a), when she failed to file Statements of Financial Interests for calendar years 2013 through 2017 in association with her public office/employment.
3. In contravention of Section 1104(d) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1104(d), Tarlecki received Township Supervisor compensation in the total amount of $529.18 at a time when she did not have the required Statements of Financial Interests on file with the Township.
4. Pursuant to Section 1107(13) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1107(13), Tarlecki is directed to make payment of restitution in the amount of $141,137.44 payable to Conyngham Township and forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission by no later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the mailing date of this Order.
5. Tarlecki is directed to make an additional payment in the amount of $529.18 payable to Conyngham Township and forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission by no later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the mailing date of this Order, with such payment representing the disgorgement of the Township Supervisor compensation Tarlecki received at a time when she did not have the required Statements of Financial Interests on file with the Township.
6. Tarlecki is directed to not accept any reimbursement, compensation or other payment, from the Township representing a full or partial reimbursement of the aforesaid restitution or disgorgement of her Township Supervisor compensation.
7. To the extent she has not already done so, Tarlecki is directed to file complete and accurate Statements of Financial Interests for calendar years 2013 through 2017 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. Non-compliance with Paragraph 4, 5, 6, or 7 of this Order will result in the institution of an order enforcement action.
9. This matter will be referred to the District Attorney of Columbia County, Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Attorney General, and the Internal Revenue Service for review and appropriate action.
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1763 Tarlecki