The Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission ordered a Pittston Twp. supervisor on Wednesday to pay nearly $7,000 in restitution for ordering municipal employees to perform work on his private property and to repay compensation he should not have received.
David A. Slezak, a supervisor since 2017 who is also employed as the roadmaster of the township’s Department of Public Works, was found to be in violation of two sections of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act in the decision handed down Wednesday.
According to a summary released by the commission, Slezak “used the authority of his office to direct township employees to perform work on his private property while being compensated by the township and using township equipment and materials.”
The summary does not elaborate on the type or amount of work Slezak directed to be done at his personal property. However, it alleges Slezak further violated the same section of the law by receiving compensation from the township for performing his roadmaster duties when he was in fact attending to his duties as supervisor.
The summary goes on to say Slezak violated another section of the act by failing to accurately file statements of financial interest for 2021 and 2022. The violations took place because Slezak failed to report all his sources of income as well as his status in positions of public office and employment, according to the commission.
Under an agreement Slezak reached with the commission, he must pay $6,888 in restitution to the township within 30 days.
The commission directed Slezak not to accept any reimbursement or compensation from the township for any portion of the settlement.
Slezak was also ordered to file “complete and accurate” amended statements of financial interest for 2021 and 2022.
Failure to comply with the terms of the settlement will result in enforcement action, according to the order.
Slezak did not immediately return a message left Wednesday at the municipal building.