Clearfield Co., PA (WJAC) — Officials in Sandy Township have asked a judge to put a hold on the municipality's consolidation plans with the city of DuBois until the investigation into suspended city manager John "Herm" Suplizio has been completed.
According to a complaint filed on June 1st, the township is seeking a pause on the merger due to ongoing concerns over the city's financial situation.
"It was discovered that the City's financial information upon which the recommendation for consolidation, the consolidation plan and the consolidation agreement were based was inaccurate and incomplete," the township claims.
In March, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General filed charges against Suplizio after he was accused of stealing over $600,000 from various city bank accounts.
Authorities allege that Suplizio used the stolen funds to make personal bill payments, political donations and to gamble.
Investigators say the majority of the stolen funds came from an account used for the DuBois Community Days, an annual event hosted by the DuBois Volunteer Fire Department.
Authorities say Suplizio also used his position as city manager to enter contracts with businesses for which he would then receive personal benefits.
In the wake of these allegations, Sandy Township states that a "successful consolidation" is "impossible" until the investigation has concluded and a forensic audit has been conducted.
Officials did stress, however, that the township still intends to move forward with the consolidation plan.
The township noted that once the consolidation is finalized, both municipalities would "assume all debts, liabilities and duties of each individual municipality."
Therefore, the township is requesting such audit be ordered and an injunction be put in place until the investigation is over.
The DuBois/Sandy Township consolidation plans, which were voted upon and approved in November of 2021, have a deadline of Jan. 5, 2026.
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