CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — The fallout after the arrest of the DuBois city manager continues.
The Clearfield County Commissioners this week announced the municipalities where nearly $1.4 million in infrastructure grant money will go. However, the City of DuBois will receive none, this round.
That's because of the state attorney general's theft and fraud charges against the recently suspended DuBois City Manager John "Herm" Suplizio.
MORE | DuBois city manager accused of stealing funds suspended, Commissioners confirm
The Clearfield County Commissioners this week awarded 10 infrastructure grants to various municipalities, who applied last year for different projects. Some of these are bridges, water and sewer lines. The commissioners and the county planning officer went through the applications and ranked them by priority.
"DuBois was originally ranked in our top 10 for their new sewer facility," Commissioner Dave Glass explains to 6 News. "They were talking about building, but in light of the questions regarding their finances and, you know, everything that's going on up there, we're withholding any funding for the time being until they kind of get their own financial house in order."
The total amount of money awarded comes out to $1.375 million, with Glass saying it all originates from the American Rescue Plan Act funds the county received. While DuBois won't receive an infrastructure grant this round, Glass tells us the grant it would've received will go to someone else.
"It just so happened that Sandy Township had a really good project that just happened to rank below them, so we just slid Sandy Township right in there in their place," he says.
"Sandy wasn't in our original list, so the amount that Sandy got was originally slotted for DuBois," Glass notes. "So the, their total amount awarded would not have changed."
Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry accuses Suplizio of stealing over $600,000 from the accounts of the DuBois Area United Way — where he was executive director until this week — and the DuBois Volunteer Fire Department, and then using that money for personal and political expenses. All these are among several accusations.
MORE | DuBois Area United Way announces resignation of suspended city manager
Glass, a DuBois residents, tells us: "I want what's best for my city, but I have to be able to trust that if I— if we give them money as the Board of Commissioners, that it's going to be properly accounted for and properly spent. And right now, that trust is broken."
Talking about these infrastructure grants, Glass explains: "This was the first round, these were the highest priority projects. We do have several others that were submitted and we still have some money we can allocate. So, we expect to have a second round of announcements in the next month or two."
The DuBois City Council this week announced a full forensic audit of all the city's accounts, funds, and other financial documents. The Council's statement says the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development will conduct it.
"We'll be watching that process with interest," Glass says of the audit. "If that comes back and they're able to correct some of their deficiencies, then we can reassess."
But could DuBois turn things around before then?
"I mean, anything's possible," Glass mentions. "But they'd have to, you know— we'd have to be really satisfied that they're on sound footing."
MORE | DuBois city council votes to place city manager on paid leave after theft charges
As of right now, Suplizio is on paid administrative leave as his case works its way through the legal system. Chris Nasuti is serving as interim city manager.
These municipalities in Clearfield County will receive the following from these grants, per Glass:
- Karthaus Township: (Project) Bridge replacement; (Total Project Cost) $1,588,720; (County Allocation) $200,000
- Brady Township: (Project) Replace digester tank at sewage plant; (Total Project Cost) $60,000; (County Allocation) $50,000
- Brady Township / Troutville Water Association: (Project) Replace water meters, plus line repair; (Total Project Cost) $300,000; (County Allocation) $150,000
- Burnside Township: (Project) Replace Shepard Lane Bridge; (Total Project Cost) $1,308,280; (County Allocation) $200,000
- Sandy Township: (Project) Sewer line replacement; (Total Project Cost) $700,000; (County Allocation) $200,000
- Clearfield Borough: (Project) Stormline replacement and small water projects; (Total Project Cost) $720,000; (County Allocation) $200,000
- Cooper Township Municipal Authority: (Project) Replace leaking water lines/meters; (Total Project Cost) $500,000; (County Allocation) $150,000
- Curwensville Borough: (Project) Stormwater drainage; (Total Project Cost) $900,865; (County Allocation) $100,000
- Girard Township Municipal Authority: (Project) Replace grinder pump; (Total Project Cost) $30,000; (County Allocation) $25,000
- Grampian Borough: (Project) 6th Street drainage improvements; (Total Project Cost) $150,000; (County Allocation) $100,000
ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7y6iamqRfmLmmrdGfoJ6klGKwsMHNrbBmr5mptam7y52qZqGem7%2Biv9OrrJyspaeybrPRmqWtZZaqu6W%2FjJ%2Bmq2WUqq%2BwtdJmmKahlGLAtrzLorGip12brq24zq6r