The Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission has issued a final adjudication in the following matters under
The Ethics Act
HARRISBURG, PA –
Order No. 1816 (Postupac)
Substitute/Acting/Permanent Superintendent
Blackhawk School District
Allegheny County, PA
ORDER SUMMARY:
1. Robert H. Postupac ("Postupac"), a public official/public employee in his capacities as (1) the Substitute Superintendent, Acting Superintendent, or Superintendent of Blackhawk School District from at least June 1, 2016; (2) the Superintendent of Western Beaver County School District since 2008; and (3) a Member of the Community College of Beaver County Board of Trustees, violated Section 1103(a) of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act ("Ethics Act"), 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), in relation to his directing and influencing the hiring of a Moon Area School District School Board Member's son to a full-time position as a teacher with Blackhawk School District based on the understanding that this action would directly influence the Moon Area School District School Board Member to take action resulting in the hiring of Postupac's daughter for a position of employment with Moon Area School District.
2. A violation of Sections 1103(b) and 1103(c) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1103(b) and 1103(c), occurred in relation to Postupac's solicitation and acceptance of something of monetary value, specifically an offer from a Member of the Moon Area School District School Board to hire his daughter at a time when Postupac was using the authority of his public position with Blackhawk School District to influence the hiring of the Moon Area School District School Board Member's son.
3. A violation of Sections 1105(b)(1), (5), and (6) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1105(b)(1), (5), and (6), occurred in relation to Postupac's filing of deficient Statements of Financial Interests as follows:
a. In his various capacities with Blackhawk School District, failing to identify his status and public offices/positions for calendar years 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 and failing to identify all reportable sources of income for calendar years 2016, 2017, and 2019;
b. As the Superintendent of Western Beaver County School District, failing to identify his status and public offices/positions for calendar years 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, failing to identify all reportable sources of income for calendar years 2015 and 2016, and failing to complete or otherwise disclose receipt of any gifts for calendar year 2019; and
c. As a Member of the Community College of Beaver County Board of Trustees, failing to identify his status and public offices/positions for calendar years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 and failing to identify all reportable sources of income for calendar years 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2019.
4. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Postupac 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.
5. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Postupac is directed to not accept any reimbursement, compensation or other payment from Blackhawk School District, Western Beaver County School District, or Community College of Beaver County 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, Postupac is directed to file complete and accurate amended Statements of Financial Interests for calendar years 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 with Blackhawk School District and for calendar years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 with both Western Beaver County School District and Community College of Beaver County, 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.
- Non-compliance will result in the institution of an order enforcement action.
Order No. 1817 (Scappe)
School Board Member
Moon Area School District
Allegheny 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 Mark Scappe ("Scappe") used his public office as a Member of the School Board of Moon Area School District to offer/give a position of employment to the daughter of a Blackhawk School District employee, namely, the Blackhawk School District Superintendent, based on the understanding that the vote, official action, or judgment of the Blackhawk School District Superintendent would be influenced thereby and a private pecuniary benefit would be obtained for his immediate family member, specifically his son.
2. A violation of Sections 1103(b) and 1103(c) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1103(b) and 1103(c), occurred when Scappe sought and/or accepted an offer by an employee of Blackhawk School District to hire Scappe's son as an employee of Blackhawk School District, based on his understanding that his vote, official action, or judgment would be influenced; namely, to reciprocate by hiring the daughter of the Blackhawk School District employee.
3. A violation of Section 1105(b)(1) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1105(b)(1), occurred when Scappe filed deficient Statements of Financial Interests by identifying the "Moon Area School Board" and "Moon Transportation Authority" instead of specifically identifying his status and public offices/positions as a Member of the Moon Area School District School Board and a Member of the Moon Transportation Authority Board for calendar years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
4. A violation of Section 1105(b)(8) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1105(b)(8), occurred when Scappe filed deficient Statements of Financial Interests by identifying Rhea Engineers & Consultants, Inc. dba RBS Consultants, Inc. in Block 10 (Direct or Indirect Sources of Income) but failing to include the same in Block 13 to identify his office, directorship, or employment with Rhea Engineers & Consultants, Inc. dba RBS Consultants, Inc. for calendar years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
5. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Scappe 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. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Scappe is directed to not accept any reimbursement, compensation or other payment from Moon Area School District 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.
- Non-compliance will result in the institution of an order enforcement action.
Order No. 1818 (Meyer)
Board 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 Dieter Meyer ("Meyer"), 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 caused expenses of a personal nature incurred when traveling on Authority business for conferences and/or conventions to be charged to Authority credit cards and accounts; when he submitted for reimbursement expenses of a personal nature paid in cash or by personal credit card; and when he participated in Authority votes to approve expense payments to credit cards or himself which included the aforesaid personal expenses.
2. A violation of Section 1104(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1104(a), occurred when Meyer failed to file Statements of Financial Interests for calendar years 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
3. A violation of Sections 1105(a) and 1105(b)(2) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1105(a) and 1105(b)(2), occurred when Meyer filed a deficient Statement of Financial Interests for calendar year 2020 by failing to identify his occupation or profession and incorrectly dating his form.
4. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Meyer is directed to make payment in the amount of $2,500.00 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. Meyer is directed to make payment in the amount of $1,000.00 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. Meyer 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, Meyer is directed to file complete and accurate Statements of Financial Interests for calendar years 2016 through 2019 and an amended Statement of Financial Interests for calendar year 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.
- Non-compliance will result in the institution of an order enforcement action.
Order No. 1819 (Kasper)
Customer Service Manager
North Penn Water Authority
Montgomery 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 William Kasper ("Kasper"), as the Customer Service Manager for North Penn Water Authority, participated in the process for North Penn Water Authority to enter into a contract with RIO Supply, Inc. at a time when he was negotiating future employment with RIO Supply, Inc. and accepting travel, lodging, and hospitality from RIO Supply, Inc.
2. A violation of Section 1103(g) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(g), occurred when Kasper represented RIO Supply, Inc. in sales efforts with North Penn Water Authority within one year of leaving employment with North Penn Water Authority.
3. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Kasper is directed to make payment in the amount of $17,644.82 payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission by no later than the sixtieth (60th) day after the mailing date of this Order.
4. Kasper is directed to not accept any reimbursement, compensation or other payment from North Penn Water Authority 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, Kasper is directed to file complete and accurate Statements of Financial Interests for calendar years 2017 through 2020 with North Penn Water Authority, 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.
- Non-compliance will result in the institution of an order enforcement action.
Order No. 1820 (Wanson)
Surveyor 2
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation,
Engineering District 12-0
Montgomery County, PA
ORDER SUMMARY:
1. Eric P. Wanson ("Wanson"), a public employee in his capacity as a Surveyor 2 for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation ("PennDOT") in Engineering District 12-0 from approximately February 2003 to September 3, 2021, violated Section 1103(a) of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act ("Ethics Act"), 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), in relation to his utilization of PennDOT surveying equipment without authorization for the private pecuniary benefit of himself and/or Buck Ridge Surveying, Inc., a business with which he is associated.
2. A violation of Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred in relation to Wanson's use of confidential information obtained through his public employment when he utilized PennDOT's subscription to the KeyNet GPS system for the private pecuniary benefit of himself and/or Buck Ridge Surveying, Inc., a business with which he is associated.
3. A violation of Section 1105(b)(5) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1105(b)(5), occurred when Wanson filed a deficient Statement of Financial Interests for calendar year 2018 by failing to identify Buck Ridge Surveying, Inc. as a source of income.
4. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Wanson is directed to make payment in the amount of $62,000.00 payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by way of monthly payments in the amount of $1,723.00 each over the course of three years, with each such payment to be made payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, and with the first such payment to be forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission by no later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the mailing date of this Order.
a. Wanson may make payment in excess of the monthly amount of $1,723.00, but any excess payment will be attributed to the balance owed and will not reduce the amount due in the next monthly payment.
5. Wanson is directed to not accept any reimbursement, compensation or other payment from PennDOT 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, Wanson is directed to file a complete and accurate amended Statement of Financial Interests for calendar year 2018 with PennDOT, 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.
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:
1816 Postupac:
1816 Postupac
1817 Scappe:
1817 Scappe
1818 Meyer:
1818 Meyer
1819 Kasper:
1819 Kasper
1820 Wanson:
1820 Wanson