(WNY News Now) – DuBois City Manager John “Herm” Suplizio is facing a total of 13 felonies and 10 misdemeanors related to alleged misappropriation of public funds and obstruction of a police investigation.
DuBois, PA – Attorney General Michelle Henry has revealed the filing of new charges against John “Herm” Suplizio, DuBois City Manager, who was previously charged with embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars in public funds for personal use.
Suplizio now confronts a total of 13 felonies and 10 misdemeanors, spanning recent years during his tenure as city manager and executive director of the DuBois Area United Way.
These charges are linked to the alleged misappropriation of public funds and his purported attempts to obstruct a police investigation into shoplifting incidents involving the former mayor of DuBois.
The Office of Attorney General lodged a comprehensive criminal complaint on Wednesday, which consolidates all the charges, with Senior Magisterial District Judge Carmine Prestia.
Suplizio appeared in district court late on Wednesday morning, where he was arraigned, and bail was set at $100,000 unsecured.
Attorney General Henry remarked, “Instead of acting in the best interests of the community he was supposed to serve, the defendant used his position to line his own pockets and abused his authority for personal gain. This arrest is a reminder that no one is above the law, and that everyone who holds public office in Pennsylvania is accountable to the people.”
Suplizio faces felony charges of theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, dealing in proceeds, and conflict of interest, as well as misdemeanor charges of misapplication of entrusted property, fraudulent return, and obstruction.
Details of the alleged conduct are outlined in the criminal complaint filed at District Court 46-3-01.
The additional charges come after the last court appearance in this case on Aug. 16 before Senior Judge Charles H. Saylor. Some of these charges stem from investigations conducted since the grand jury presentment issued last year.
Suplizio stands accused of using city and United Way funds for personal expenses, including credit card payments, political donations, and gambling. The majority of these funds originated from accounts for Community Days, an annual event organized by the DuBois Volunteer Fire Department, where Suplizio and his secretary held sole signatory authority.
Additionally, Suplizio allegedly leveraged his managerial position to secure personal benefits through business contracts. He is also alleged to have filed false information on his tax returns, paying for numerous charges with public money and classifying them as unreimbursed expenses on his taxes.
Regarding the former city mayor’s shoplifting incidents, Suplizio is accused of contacting the police and attempting to intervene to halt the investigation.
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