Former Ridley Park council chairman fined for missing financial reports

Michelle Mattus 2022 campaign photo. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Michelle Mattus, former Ridley Park board president, was ordered to pay fines by the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission for failing to properly present her financial statements while in office.

On Tuesday, the commission issued a final decision that Mattus, as a board member, failed to comply with Section 1104(a) of the Public Officials and Employees Ethics Act when she failed to to file a declaration of financial interests for the 2019 and 2020 calendar years with the borough.

The commission imposed two maximum civil penalties against Mattus, each at the rate of $25 per day, for each day his declarations of financial interests for calendar years 2019 and 2020 remained delinquent, for a total civil penalty of $500 and she must pay at the latest. more than 30 days after the date the order was sent.

The commission said Mattus must still file a complete and accurate disclosure of financial interests for both years with Ridley Park and forward a copy to the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission. Failure to comply with these rules will result in the initiation of appropriate enforcement measures, the commission said.

Mattus ran for the State House in 2023, losing to Democrat Dave Delloso in the 162nd District.

Mattus said on Tuesday:

“Unfortunately, it appears I did not pay enough attention to my filings with the state. I'm looking into the matter.

“Transparency in politics is important and I know they are just doing their job. I will work with the State Ethics Commission to rectify the situation and ensure she has all required forms on file.

According to her LinkedIn profile, she is now Maria Montero's campaign manager for U.S. Congress in Pennsylvania's 7th District, which includes Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe and Northampton counties.