Three former employees of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board were found in violations of Pa's Ethics Law.

As released by the State Ethics Commission:

Order No. 1627 (Conti)

Chief Executive Officer Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

ORDER SUMMARY:

1. A transgression of Section 1103(a) of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act (“Ethics Act”), 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred in relation to the acceptance by Walter Joseph Conti (“Conti”) of gifts and hospitality (meals, golf outings, beverages) provided by various vendors who had ongoing contractual relationships with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“PLCB”), at a time when Conti was the Chief Executive Officer of the PLCB.

2. A violation of Section 1105(b) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1105(b), occurred when Conti omitted from his Statement of Financial Interests filed for the 2010 calendar year reportable information as to his receipt of hospitality from a PLCB vendor in relation to Conti’s attendance at the 2010 AT&T Pro-Am Tournament held at Aronimink Golf Club.

 3. No violation of Section 1105(b) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1105(b), occurred in relation to Conti’s omission from his Statements of Financial Interests filed for the 2009 and 2011 calendar years of his receipt of gifts and/or hospitality, as items received did not meet a reportable threshold.

4. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Conti is directed to make payment in the amount of $2,388.51 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, Conti is further directed to not accept any reimbursement, compensation or other payment from the PLCB 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, Conti is directed to file an amended, complete and accurate Statement of Financial Interests for calendar year 2010 with the PLCB, 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.

Joe Conti. A call for civility.

Order No. 1628 (Stapleton)

Member and Chairman Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

ORDER SUMMARY:

1. A transgression of Section 1103(a) of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act (“Ethics Act”), 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred in relation to the acceptance by Patrick Stapleton (“Stapleton”) of donations of alcoholic beverages, such as wine, sprits, liquor and the like, for consumption at events hosted by the Keystone Weekend Inc., a 501(c)(3) entity with which Stapleton is associated, when the entity donating alcoholic products had ongoing contractual relationships with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“PLCB”) and Stapleton was a Member and Chairman of the PLCB.

2. A transgression of Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred in relation to Stapleton’s acceptance of hospitality (meals, golf outings, beverages) provided by various vendors who had ongoing contractual relationships with the PLCB, while Stapleton was a Member and Chairman of the PLCB.

3. A violation of Section 1105(b) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1105(b), occurred in relation to Stapleton’s omission from his Statements of Financial Interests filed for the 2010 and 2011 calendar years of reportable information as to his receipt of gifts and hospitality from vendor(s) of the PLCB.

4. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Stapleton is directed to make payment in the amount of $7,258.54 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, Stapleton is further directed to not accept any reimbursement, compensation or other payment from the PLCB 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, Stapleton is directed to file complete and accurate Statements of Financial Interests for calendar years 2010 and 2011 with the

PLCB, 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.

P.J. Stapleton. We hired Joe Theismann.

Order No. 1629 (Short)

Director of Marketing and Merchandising Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Harrisburg, Pennsylvania ORDER SUMMARY:

1. As the Director of Marketing and Merchandising for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“PLCB”), James H. Short, Jr. (“Short”) violated Section 1103(a) of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act (“Ethics Act”), 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), when he, by virtue of his employment with the PLCB, accepted gifts, transportation, lodging, and/or hospitality for the benefit of himself from vendors of the PLCB.

2. A violation of Section 1105(b) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1105(b), occurred in relation to Short’s failure to report receipt of gifts, transportation, lodging, and/or hospitality from vendor(s) of the PLCB on his Statements of Financial Interests filed for the 2008 through 2011 calendar years.

3. No violation of Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), occurred in relation to the allegation that Short solicited and/or accepted gifts from vendors of the PLCB for the benefit of a business with which he and/or members of his immediate family are associated, as the Stipulated Findings do not support such allegation.

4. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Short is directed to make payment in the amount of $13,586.92 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, Short is further directed to not accept any reimbursement, compensation or other payment from the PLCB 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, Short is directed to file complete and accurate amended Statements of Financial Interests for calendar years 2008 through 2011 with the PLCB, 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.

Jim Short. I'm retiring.