A federal judge has scheduled a change of plea hearing later this month for former DuBois City Manager John “Herm” Suplizio, marking a major development in the long-running public corruption case that has already resulted in a guilty plea from his former co-defendant.
According to a text-only order filed Tuesday, a change of plea hearing for Suplizio is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, before U.S. District Judge Stephanie L. Haines in the federal courthouse in Johnstown.
The court order does not specify what plea Suplizio intends to enter. A change of plea hearing typically indicates a defendant plans to change a previously entered plea, often from not guilty to guilty.
Suplizio and former city staffer Roberta Shaffer were accused of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars in public and nonprofit funds.
Authorities first charged the pair in November 2023 after an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of approximately $700,000 from the City of DuBois.
Investigators alleged that the money was used for large cash withdrawals, personal credit card payments and vacation expenses. The original state charges were later withdrawn after federal prosecutors secured an indictment alleging theft, fraud and money laundering offenses.
Shaffer pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of embezzlement and one count of unlawful monetary transactions. As part of her plea agreement, several other charges were dismissed after she acknowledged responsibility for the underlying conduct. She remains free on bond while awaiting sentencing.
Suplizio had previously maintained his not guilty plea, and his federal trial had been postponed multiple times.
The newly scheduled hearing signals the case could now be resolved without a trial if the court accepts a new plea.