Frankstown Township supervisor ordered to pay $48K
Henry to pay township over ethics violations
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The state ethics commission has ordered a longtime Frankstown Township supervisor to pay $48,000 to the township for Ethics Act violations.
The order issued Tuesday states that ethics violations occurred when George Henry voted several times for a developer's project within the township, knowing that his own business, Henry's Enterprises Inc., would benefit from the plan.
Frankstown Development LLC is owned by Adam and Jordan Conrad, both friends of Henry's, and Henry was expecting his business would do some of the excavation and other work for the development firm that was building Deer Meadow Retirement Community, according to the case file.
During one supervisors' meeting in September 2022, Henry "made comments about wanting to get the developer's agreement approved so that he could begin work before the weather turned," the documents state.
The findings in the case show how Henry Enterprises Inc. financially benefitted by the Deer Meadow development, stating that Henry Enterprises received more than $563,000 for work done after his vote to approve Phase 4 of the developers' agreement in March 2024.
Case documents state that Henry Enterprises realized a profit of $48,000 as the result of work performed on Phase 4 of Deer Meadow.
During the ethics commission's investigation, Henry provided a sworn statement noting that he completed excavation work through his business for the Conrads before they purchased Deer Meadow and then completed work for the Conrads during Phase 3 of the project.
When it was time to vote on Phase 4, Henry said he made a mistake when he voted in favor of the developer's agreement.
Voting on a project from which Henry expected to benefit was a conflict of interest, the case file states.
The order summary lists multiple violations by Henry, including that he failed to list his status as a candidate or current public official on his Statement of Financial Interests for 2020 and 2022.
Another violation occurred when Henry failed to disclose all direct or indirect sources of income totaling $1,300 or more, whether he holds any office, directorship or employment of any nature whatsoever in any business entity, and whether he holds any financial interest in any legal entity engaged in business for profit on his Statements of Financial Interests for calendar years 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
A fourth violation occurred when Henry failed to file a Statement of Financial Interests for calendar year 2021, the summary states.
As outlined in a consent agreement, Henry will make a payment of $48,000 to Frankstown Township within 30 days of the mailing date of the order. He also must pay $1,250 to the state, also within 30 days of the order.
Henry was also directed to file complete and accurate amended statements for calendar years 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024 and a complete and accurate Statement of Financial Interests for calendar year 2021 with Frankstown Township, through the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission. These statements are to be made within 30 days of the order.
It is stated that Henry cannot accept any reimbursement, compensation or other payment from Frankstown Township representing a full or partial reimbursement of the amount paid in settlement.
Complete compliance with the order in the timeframe allocated will close the case and no further action will be taken, the ethics commission stated in the summary. The case documents note, however, that the commission's findings and recommendations are forwarded to the state Office of Attorney General and action by law enforcement is possible where appropriate.
Henry, a Republican, was re-elected to his third six-year term on the Frankstown Township Board of Supervisors in 2021. In 2027, he is eligible to seek reelection for a term starting in 2028.