CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Harrison County Commissioner must pay a fine and receive training on the West Virginia Ethics Act to resolve two complaints filed against him.
The sanctions were approved by the state Ethics Commission Thursday as part of a conciliation agreement with Bernie Fazzini.
“I…agree that the Commission has sufficient facts to find that he violated the West Virginia Governmental Ethics Act and therefore, do not object to findings that I violated the Act,” Fazzini wrote in a statement attached to the agreement. “I admit to the facts asserted in this Agreement, however, I state that I did not knowingly and intentionally receive personal gain for myself or for my wife. In order to resolve this matter, I am entering into this Agreement.”
MORE: Read the conciliation agreement
The first complaint filed in February alleged Fazzini “used his public position for his private gain and private gain to his wife” during three trips taken for county-related events in 2011.
The second alleged he “used his public office as a member of the Harrison County Commission to provide an interest-free loan to the Spelter Fire Department” for the purchase of a vehicle, which was paid back in full by the department. This allegation was not addressed within the agreement.
Fazzini will be required to receive training on the West Virginia Ethics Act within 60 days of the order to approve the agreement, pay a fine of $3,500 by June 1 and reimburse the county the amount the Ethics Commission determined he improperly received –$298.08– and is subject to public reprimand.
The agreement was signed by Fazzini on April 28 and then by Robert Wolfe, Ethics Commission chairperson, on Thursday.