Yocabet v. State Ethics Commission

In Yocabet v. State Ethics Commission, 109 Pa. Commw. 432, 531 A.2d 536 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1987), the Commission determined that Yocabet violated Section 3(a) of the former version of the Act by participating in his appointment as secretary/treasurer for Luzerne Township and then receiving compensation for that office which was not set by Luzerne Township's auditors as required by law. Id. at 538. On appeal to this Court, Yocabet argued that he could not have violated Section 3(a) because he did not intend to use his office to obtain financial gain. Id. at 539. The Court ultimately concluded that the Commission was correct in finding that Yocabet had violated Section 3(a), even if he lacked the intent to do so. Id.