DUBOIS, Pa. (WJAC) — We're learning more about the alleged crimes of DuBois City Manager John "Herm" Suplizio, whom the state attorney general said was arrested Monday on fraud and theft charges. This is for allegedly taking money from a variety of groups, including the local United Way where he was executive director, and paying for personal expenses with that money.
MORE | AG: DuBois city manager arrested on fraud, theft charges
On Wednesday, 6 News obtained a 36-page criminal complaint, which gives us more specific information about what Attorney General Michelle Henry and investigators are accusing Suplizio of doing.
The affidavit claims that Suplizio "provided false information on his personal income taxes for several years, claiming that he incurred unreimbursed expenses in connection with his work for the DuBois Area United Way and the City of DuBois."
A special agent of the attorney general reportedly testified before a grand jury that search warrants were executed last April at Suplizio's home, two of his offices, and his secretary's office.
MORE | AG's office conducts search at DuBois city building, official confirms
In detailing allegations that Suplizio took "large sums" of money from the DuBois Volunteer Fire Department's accounts for "Community Days" events for years, the affidavit says: "Because these are municipal bank accounts, they should have been monitored by City officials. The lack of oversight allowed Suplizio to carry out his theft scheme undetected."
Court documents say that Suplizio reportedly took $3,000 from the City's General Fund, $21,293.30 from the DAUW's checking account, $99,108.40 from the DVFD's Parade Committee account, $95,000 from the DVFD's Flex C.D. Community Fund account, and $46,243.54 from the DVFD's Checking Community Fund account.
Citing financial records obtained, the special agent in the affidavit claims that Suplizio used the money for personal expenses, such as his non-work cell phone's bills and political contributions. A state trooper investigating the financial records reportedly testified that he noticed "some unusual transactions" at the Allegany Seneca Nation Casino in Salamanca, New York.
The financial analysis from investigators presented in the documents claim Suplizio took $264,645.24 from public accounts, that the tax fraud from public accounts amounted to $356,170.56, and that total fraudulent transactions amounted to $620,815.80.
The city solicitor could not be reached on Wednesday for additional comment beyond the statement she shared with us on Monday. The DuBois Area United Way declined to comment. Neither the Pennsylvania United Way nor the DuBois Volunteer Fire Department have returned our requests for comment. At this time, we have no word on if Suplizio is suspended from his city manager role or if someone else has taken his place.
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