Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission ordered former PLCB executive Timothy Fringer to pay $7,180.52 to the Commonwealth for accepting various gifts and/or travel hospitality and lodging from vendors of the PLCB.
The Commission published this final adjudication Friday afternoon.
Read the 35 page PDF.
The Order No. 1654 (Fringer)
Chief of the Product Selection/Category Management and/or Spirits Category Manager Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB)
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
ORDER SUMMARY:
1. Timothy Fringer (“Fringer”) violated Section 1103(a) of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act (“Ethics Act”), 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a), when he, as the Chief of the Product Selection/Category Management for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“PLCB”) and/or as the Spirits Category Manager for the PLCB, accepted/received various gifts and/or travel, hospitality and lodging from vendors of the PLCB, at a time when he was participating in and/or making recommendations/decisions regarding the PLCB’s purchase of wine and spirits from those vendors.
2. A violation of Section 1105(b)(7) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1105(b)(7), occurred when Fringer failed to disclose on Statements of Financial Interests filed for the 2009, 2011 and 2012 calendar years his receipt of travel, lodging, and/or hospitality in excess of an aggregate amount of $650.00 from any single vendor.
3. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Fringer is directed to make payment in the amount of $7,180.52 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.
4. Per the Consent Agreement of the parties, Fringer is further directed to not accept any reimbursement, compensation or other payment from the PLCB/ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 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, Fringer is directed to file complete and accurate Statements of Financial Interests with the PLCB through the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission for the 2009, 2011 and 2012 calendar years 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.
a. Non-compliance will result in the institution of an order enforcement action.
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Fringer is accused of accepting the following items of value from PLCB vendors.
Rounds of Golf in Hershey and Pittsburgh
Ticket to 2009 world series game in Philadelphia
Admiral Nelson Promotion at Savannah's Gentlemen's Club in Harrisburg 12.22.10
Post-dinner drinks and Entertainment at PJD Entertainment (Savannah's) 1.12.12
Ticket to NY Jets vs Eagles game 12.09.11
Tickets to Pittsburgh Steelers games 2010/2011
Post-Whiskey Fest Entertainment at One Three Five 11.12.10 *
Business Entertainment at One Three Five 11.19.11
Business Entertainment at One Three Five 11.19.11 (ATM Withdrawal)
Dinner and Hotel room at the Ritz Carlton in Philadelphia 12.18.11/12.19.11
Delilah's Gentlemen's Club and Steakhouse in Philadelphia 3.02.12
Ticket to a Kid Rock Concert in Virginia Beach, VA 7.25.09
2 Tickets to a Kid Rock Concert at Hersheypark Stadium 7.31.09
Ticket to a Kid Rock Concert in Las Vegas, NV 9.17.09
Hotel room at the MGM Grand Hotel Las Vegas, NV 9.17.09
Round trip air fair to and from Las Vegas
Tickets to Dave Matthews Band concerts in New York and Philadelphia in 2012
* One Three Five Inc. owns Blush Gentlemen's Club in Pittsburgh.