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Arrest of Dubois City Manager John “Herm” Suplizio


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Multiple charges have been filed this morning against 62 year old John Suplizio of Dubois. Felony charges include Theft by Unlawful Taking (5 counts), and Restricted Activities - Conflict of Interest (1 count). Misdemeanor charges of Fraud Tax Return (8 counts), and Misapply Entrusted/Govt/Fin Inst Prop (1 count). Keep it tuned to OK 1029 for details as more information is released.

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13 minutes ago, block said:

And wonder what happens now?  They had just extended his contract as City Manager...

I suspect there is a moral turpitude clause in his contract so if convicted, he's out. Perhaps the indictment is sufficient cause. Fortunately though, the consolidation train is rolling and there's another municipal manager aboard.

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New update

More details have been obtained regarding arrest of Dubois Coty Manager John “Herm” Suplizio…

Monday John “Herm” Suplizio was arraigned and waived his right to a preliminary hearing on over a dozen Felony and Misdemeanor charges stemming from allegedly stealing funds while working at the Dubois United Way, and as Dubois City Manager. Court documents state that for over a decade Suplizio was misappropriating money, which included donations to the United Way and Dubois Volunteer Fire Department Community Days Funds. Suplizio is also accused of accepting money from a fracking company for selling materials to the company, while making agreements on the behalf of Dubois City with the fracking company, EOG Resources. To date, in total, Suplizio is accused of stealing over $260,000 from Public accounts of the City of Dubois, Dubois United Way, Dubois Volunteer Fire Department Parade Committee and Community Fund Accounts. Fraudulent transactions with those accounts Suplizio is accused of totals over $620,000. Tax Fraud associated with those accounts Suplizio is accused of totals over $350,000. John Suplizio waived his right to a preliminary hearing on the charges he is facing and will now stand trial on the 15 charges. He is free on $100,000 unsecured bail.

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HARRISBURG – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced Monday that DuBois City Manager and Executive Director of the DuBois Area United Way, John “Herm” Suplizio, was arrested on charges related to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from public accounts.

Suplizio, 62, of Clearfield County, allegedly committed $620,815 in fraudulent transactions, using funds from city bank accounts and the Dubois Area United Way account to pay his personal credit card bills, make political donations and gamble.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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The majority of the funds came from accounts for Community Days, an annual summer event presented by the DuBois Volunteer Fire Department, for which Suplizio and his secretary were the sole signatories.

“Suplizio was a trusted public official who should have been acting in the best interests of his community,” said Henry. “Instead, he betrayed that trust by stealing hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars for his own personal use.

“This egregious violation of the trust Pennsylvanians put in their officials is disgraceful. Today’s arrest is a reminder that no one is above the law, and that everyone who holds public office in Pennsylvania is accountable to the people.”

A Grand Jury investigation found that, in addition to the fraud, Suplizio used his position as city manager to enter into contracts with businesses for which he received personal benefits.

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From 2014-2021, Suplizio also provided false information on his tax returns, paying for numerous charges with public money and claiming those charges as unreimbursed expenses on his taxes. 

Suplizio was charged with five counts of theft by unlawful taking; one count of conflict of interest; one count of misapplication of entrusted property; and eight counts of fraudulent return.

This case was investigated by Trooper Jeffrey Walters and Trooper Eric Guido of Pennsylvania State Police Organized Crime Section in Erie, Special Agent Terrence Sweeney from the Office of Attorney General Financial Crime Section, the Office of Attorney General Public Corruption Section and Detective Steven Kontaxes of the Fayette County Bureau of Criminal Investigations.   

This case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Summer Carroll. All charges are accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 
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DuBois City Manager accused of committing over $620,000 in fraudulent transactions

 

 

DuBOIS — On Monday, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office filed felony theft and misdemeanor fraud charges against DuBois City Manager John "Herm" Suplizio, who is accused of committing more than $620,000 in fraudulent transactions from public accounts associated with the City of DuBois, DuBois Area United Way and DuBois Volunteer Fire Department, according to a criminal complaint filed at Magisterial District Judge David Meholick's office.

According to a press release from the Attorney General's Office, Suplizio, 62, of DuBois, "allegedly committed $620,815 in fraudulent transactions, using funds from city bank accounts and the DuBois Area United Way account to pay his personal credit card bills, make political donations and gamble. The majority of the funds came from accounts for Community Days, an annual summer event presented by the DuBois Volunteer Fire Department, for which Suplizio and his secretary were the sole signatories."

 

Suplizio, who is also the executive director of the DuBois Area United Way, is charged with five third-degree felony counts of theft by unlawful taking; a felony count of restricted activities, eight misdemeanor charges of fraudulent returns and a second-degree misdemeanor of misapplication of entrusted property, according to court documents.

 

"A Grand Jury investigation found that, in addition to the fraud, Suplizio used his position as city manager to enter into contracts with businesses for which he received personal benefits. From 2014-2021, Suplizio also provided false information on his tax returns, paying for numerous charges with public money and claiming those charges as unreimbursed expenses on his taxes," according to the press release.

Suplizio waived his preliminary hearing Monday, with unsecured bail set at $100,000. His formal arraignment is scheduled for April 12.

This is a developing story. More information will be available shortly.

 

MORE LINKS

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/ag-dubois-city-manager-arrested-on-fraud-theft-charges/ar-AA18Ry3h

 

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The question is? Will Herm take the  total hit or sing on others?  Where were the City Treasurer and Auditors? The Mayor? Board of Community Days? Who did he have business quid pro quo deals with?(Which contractors?) Who did he owe gambling debts to? How deep are the investigators going to go?  Stay Tuned. And that's not including the political favors.

 

PS. Tax returns are also FEDERAL.

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1 minute ago, jaman said:

The question is? Will Herm take the  total hit or sing on others?  Where were the City Treasurer and Auditors? The Mayor? Board of Community Days? Who did he have business quid pro quo deals with? Who did he owe gambling debts to? How deep are the investigators going to go?  Stay Tuned.

Good point!  The entire good old boys/girls club needs investigated

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1 hour ago, block said:

Good point!  The entire good old boys/girls club needs investigated

Well. There are probably a lot of people out there that are feeling their sphincter getting tight. Just imagine if the Clintons somehow received some political donations.

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https://wjactv.com/news/local/ag-dubois-city-manager-arrested-on-fraud-theft-charges

 

6 News also reached out to the city of DuBois and received the following response from solicitor Toni Cherry:

""""""""""On behalf of all of City Council, I share our disappointment upon learning today about the allegations against our long-time City Manager, Herm Suplizio. For over two decades, Herm has served DuBois with a passion and determination that has grown its reputation and profile well beyond that of similar cities. Out of respect for Herm, as well as the judicial process, we will reserve comment on these allegations until a more appropriate time. However, Council will remain vigilant in our oversight of City funds and its employees. We will continue to monitor the matter and further our own review of the facts moving forward. We are committed to ensuring integrity is maintained within DuBois city government, which, we believe epitomizes Herm’s tenure as City Manager. We appreciate all the kind words in support of Herm and the City that we have received from members of the community, and we thank you all for your patience with this deliberative process."""""""""""""""""""""""

 

 

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We are committed to ensuring integrity is maintained within DuBois city government, which, we believe epitomizes Herm’s tenure as City Manager. 

Oh Please....600k is a lot of missing integrity:surrender:

Council will remain vigilant in our oversight of City funds and its employees. ;):rofl::popcorn:

Toni, how hard were you laughing when you wrote that?

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The thing that bothers me the most is stealing from the fire hall! To all of those guys/ girls that put this wonderful event on and who will be the next city manager and how can we trust them? If convicted how many years will he serve if he goes to jail? Plus, how will they pick a new city manager, will there be a vote on who gets elected? 

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2 hours ago, Deer Runner said:

https://wjactv.com/news/local/ag-dubois-city-manager-arrested-on-fraud-theft-charges

 

6 News also reached out to the city of DuBois and received the following response from solicitor Toni Cherry:

""""""""""On behalf of all of City Council, I share our disappointment upon learning today about the allegations against our long-time City Manager, Herm Suplizio. For over two decades, Herm has served DuBois with a passion and determination that has grown its reputation and profile well beyond that of similar cities. Out of respect for Herm, as well as the judicial process, we will reserve comment on these allegations until a more appropriate time. However, Council will remain vigilant in our oversight of City funds and its employees. We will continue to monitor the matter and further our own review of the facts moving forward. We are committed to ensuring integrity is maintained within DuBois city government, which, we believe epitomizes Herm’s tenure as City Manager. We appreciate all the kind words in support of Herm and the City that we have received from members of the community, and we thank you all for your patience with this deliberative process."""""""""""""""""""""""

 

 

Toni Cherry...huh?

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