| Date: | 03/02/2020 |
|---|---|
| Organization: | State Ethics Commission |
| Docket Number: | 19-0008 |
- This page, In the Matter of Peter Skorput - Final Order, is offered by
- State Ethics Commission
Order
Order In the Matter of Peter Skorput - Final Order
Table of Contents
Final Order
On January 17, 2020, the parties filed a Joint Motion to Dismiss (“Joint Motion”) with a proposed Disposition Agreement requesting that the Commission approve the Disposition Agreement in settlement of this matter and dismiss the adjudicatory proceeding. On January 21, 2020, the Presiding Officer, Commissioner Martinez, referred the Joint Motion, with the Disposition Agreement, to the full Commission for deliberations.
In the proposed Disposition Agreement, Respondent Peter Skorput admits that he violated G.L. c. 268A, §§ 19, 20, 23(b)(2)(ii), and 23(b)(3). Skorput admits that at a time when he was Fire Chief for the Town of West Stockbridge, he was elected to the Board of Selectmen (“BOS”). Skorput admits that he violated § 20 by failing to obtain an exemption under § 20 to hold positions both as Fire Chief and BOS member and to receive compensation for both positions.
Skorput further admits that he violated § 19 by participating as a BOS member in the reappointment of himself as Fire Chief and by addressing complaints made at BOS meetings by the Town Custodian and a veteran firefighter regarding his fitness as Fire Chief.
Also, Skorput admits that he violated § 19 by participating as Fire Chief in deciding the amount of Fire-person’s Incentive to be paid to himself and his daughter, who was a firefighter in his Department, and also by participating as a BOS member in signing warrants for payments from the Fire Department to his daughter.
In addition, Skorput admits that he violated § 23(b)(3) when, as Fire Chief, he calculated and awarded a yearly Fire-person’s Incentive to his nephew, who was a firefighter, without first filing a disclosure about their family relationship.
Additionally, Skorput admits that he violated § 23(b)(3) by performing official duties as a BOS member regarding the reappointment of two individuals to various Town positions without filing a disclosure explaining that they recently had taken action against him as West Stockbridge Board of Health (“BOH”) officials in a BOH matter.
Finally, Skorput admits that he violated § 23(b)(2)(ii) by using his position as Fire Chief to terminate a firefighter in retaliation for complaining about Skorput’s performance as Fire Chief.
The Respondent agrees to pay a civil penalty of $5,000 and to waive all rights to contest the findings of fact, conclusions of law and terms and conditions contained in the Disposition Agreement in this and any other administrative or judicial proceeding to which the Commission is or may be a party. Respondent has tendered the payment of the $5,000 civil penalty.
In support of the Joint Motion, the parties assert that this matter would be fairly and equitably resolved by the terms set forth in the Disposition Agreement and that this resolution would obviate the need for a hearing on any factual issues, saving time and resources for all involved. The parties assert that the interests of justice, the parties and the Commission will be served by the Disposition Agreement.
WHEREFORE, the Commission hereby ALLOWS the Motion. Respondent’s tendered payment of the $5,000 civil penalty for violating G.L. c. 268A, §§ 19, 20, 23(b)(2)(ii), and 23(b)(3) is accepted. Commission Adjudicatory Docket No. 19-0008, In the Matter of Peter Skorput is DISMISSED.