Read Time:2 Minute, 4 Second

Final Adjudication Issued – Sivick

Issued: 03/30/2021

Order No. 1731-2 (Sivick)

Township Supervisor

Lehman Township

Pike County, PA

ORDER SUMMARY:

1. John P. Sivick (“Sivick”) 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 public office as a Supervisor for Lehman Township (“Township”), Pike County, Pennsylvania, for the private pecuniary benefit of his son, J. Justin Sivick, when he participated in discussions and actions of the Township Board of Supervisors (“Board”) to eliminate the Township’s Nepotism Policy with the intent and for the purpose of having his son hired as a Township road crew employee.

2. Sivick violated Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), when he used the authority of his public office as a Township Supervisor for the private pecuniary benefit of his son, J. Justin Sivick, when he discussed, recommended, lobbied, influenced, or sought the support of the Board to effectuate the hiring of his son as a Township employee.

3. Sivick violated Sections 1105(a) and 1105(b)(5) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1105(a), (b)(5), but did not violate Section 1104(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1104(a), when he filed timely but deficient Statements of Financial Interests for calendar years 2011 and 2014.

4. To the extent Sivick received compensation from the Township when he did not have accurate and complete Statements of Financial Interests on file with the Township, such compensation was received in contravention of Section 1104(d) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1104(d).

5. To the extent he has not already done so, Sivick is ordered to file complete and accurate amended Statements of Financial Interests for the 2011 and 2014 calendar years with the Township, through this Commission, by no later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the mailing date of this Order.

6. Non-compliance with Paragraph 5 of this Order will result in the institution of an order enforcement action.

7. This matter will be referred to the District Attorney of Pike County and the Pennsylvania Attorney General with our recommendation that criminal prosecutions be initiated against Respondent John P. Sivick.

You may access the full text version of the above ruling by clicking on the link below or by copying and pasting it into your browser:

1731-2 Sivick