SUNBURY - Dodie Lovett, an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Northumberland County commissioner in the May 17 primary election, violated the Hatch Act by running for public office, according to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel in Washington, D.C.
During Tuesday's county commissioners' meeting, solicitor Frank Garrigan said Lovett violated the Hatch Act by seeking political office in a partisan election while employed as a caseworker in the Northumberland County Adult Social Services Office.
Garrigan explained that the Hatch Act prohibits anyone in a position funded by federal money or involved in the distribution of federal funds from running for a political post.
Garrigan said a complaint was lodged against Lovett with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel.
Although Lovett violated the act, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel has decided not to pursue disciplinary action. However, if Lovett violates the Hatch Act again, her actions could result in being removed from her employment.
When reached Tuesday night, Lovett referred to the complaint as "retaliation," "sour grapes," "trivial" and a "waste of people's time and money."
She also accused county Commissioner Merle Phillips of violating the Hatch Act because he was appointed to the position and is being paid with county government money. Lovett said elected officials are exempt from the Hatch Act.
Although she claimed Phillips is in violation of the Hatch Act, Lovett doesn't plan on filing a complaint against the commissioner. "I'm not vindictive like some other people," she said.
In response to Lovett's accusation, Phillips said, "I'm not in violation of the Hatch Act because I'm not paid with federal money. She is wrong. We had a responsibility to report her violation because if we didn't, the federal government could have come back to us and collected all the money she was paid in federal funds."
"I received a letter two weeks ago from the U.S. Office of Special Counsel that stated I was in violation of the Hatch Act," Lovett said. "I knew it was an administrative thing, but the law is antiquated and doesn't serve any purpose. It's very vague. It was intended to stave off corruption, but now it discourages an average person from getting involved in politics."
She added, "Why did the county bother to lodge the complaint? They have more to lose than gain by doing this. It's nothing but retaliation and sour grapes. They want to slam the door in my face and nail it shut."
Lovett, who is upset and discouraged by the complaint, didn't deny being in violation of the act, but claims it is a very trivial matter that shouldn't have been reported. She said the violation won't prevent her from seeking political office in the future if she isn't covered under the Hatch Act.
"I won't run again for office while I hold my current position, but once the grant money runs out for my position, I don't plan on being employed in a capacity that will involve federal money," she said. "I never was interested in pursuing politics for personal gain. I have a good heart and mind and I want to use both of them for the benefit of the community."
She added, "I've been perceived as some kind of threat to county politicians and I just feel that the complaint lodged against me was unnecessary and a waste of everyone's time and money."
According to a letter sent by Leslie J. Gogan, an attorney assigned to the Hatch Act Unit, to county human resources director Joseph Picarelli, anyone employed by a state, county or municipal executive agency who performs duties in connection with programs financed in whole or in part by loans or grants made by the United States or a federal agency is covered under the Hatch Act. Gogan said coverage doesn't depend on whether the employee actually administers the federal funds or whether he or she has policy duties attendant to the federal funds.
The letter, dated June 21, states that Lovett is a social worker assigned to the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program, as a case manager. Documents obtained by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel show that Lovett's duties include serving as a central in-take agent for the program, screening, assessing and implementing individualized housing plans with clients, surveying the rental market for affordable housing, maintaining documentation on services provided, and monitoring client progression through the program.
In short, Gogan said Lovett reviews applications and candidates, and makes recommendations as to who should receive program benefits.
As to federal funding, Gogan stated in the letter that her office discovered in January 2010 that Lovett's office received a three-year grant under the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program in the amount of $362,277. The grant is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and it originated from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The grant pays for 100 percent of Lovett's salary and benefits, Gogan said in the letter.
When reached by telephone Tuesday night, Commissioner Chairman Frank Sawicki said Picarelli made the complaint against Lovett because she "blatantly" violated the Hatch Act. He denied ordering Picarelli to lodge the complaint.
On Tuesday night, Picarelli confirmed he made the complaint to protect the county's interests, but reserved further comment.
Commissioner Vinny Clausi declined to comment about the matter.
During an interview with The News-Item in early May, the 61-year-old Lovett, of Dalmatia, claimed Sawicki made a "strong-arm" move in an attempt to get her to withdraw from the race.
She said Sawicki approached her at work with a stack of papers pertaining to the Hatch Act. She said she'd be glad to discuss the issue, and pointed to an icon pertaining to the law on her computer. She said Sawicki then moved on to the next issue.
"After he tried to get me on the Hatch Act, he told me my petition was not filed correctly," Lovett said in May. "He said I did not indicate any possible conflict of interest by working for the county."
Lovett said she eventually asked the commissioner if he confronted her as a strong-arm tactic to get her out of the race. Sawicki denied that, she said, stating merely that her election-related information was a matter of public record.
Lovett previously said Rodger Babnew, head of the Northumberland County Democratic Committee, approached her about some irregularities with her campaign paperwork, so she looked into the issue.
The potential problem was the Hatch Act.
Lovett said in May that while her office uses federal grant money to help those who have fallen behind in their rent payments, she neither signs nor issues any checks, and believed her candidacy was not in violation after consultation with federal authorities.