The Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission has issued a final adjudication in the following matters under
The Ethics Act
HARRISBURG, PA –
Order No. 1815 (Tucker)
Member
North and South Shenango Joint Municipal Authority
Crawford 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 John Tucker (“Tucker”), as a Member of the Board of the North and South Shenango Joint Municipal Authority (“Authority”), used the authority of his public position for the private pecuniary benefit of himself when he participated in Authority Board votes to approve guest attendance and/or expense payments; when he incurred and charged expenses of a personal nature to Authority credit cards and accounts when traveling on Authority business for conferences and/or conventions; and when he submitted for reimbursement expenses of a personal nature alleged to have been paid in cash or by personal credit card.
2. A violation of Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred when Tucker approved payments to vendors and/or credit card companies or himself for personal expenses incurred while traveling on Authority business.
3. A violation of Sections 1105(a) and 1105(b)(1) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1105(a), 1105(b)(1), occurred when Tucker filed deficient Statements of Financial Interests for calendar years 2018, 2019, and 2020 by failing to include his public position/public office and by failing to list any/all governmental entities in which he was an official, employee, candidate, or nominee.
4. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Tucker is directed to make payment in the amount of $6,000.00 payable to North and South Shenango Joint Municipal Authority and forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission by no later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the mailing date of this Order.
5. Tucker 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. Tucker 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.
7. To the extent he has not already done so, Tucker is directed to file complete and accurate Statements of Financial Interests for calendar years 2016 through 2020 with the Authority, 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 4, 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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