Suspended DuBois city manager Herm Suplizio appeared in Clearfield County court Wednesday for a hearing on the injunction that was approved last week to halt the buyout of his remaining contract.
DuBois city Mayor Ed Walsh was among those who were called to testify during the hearing about the buyout process.
We attended the hearing and learned that the DuBois city council has already paid up to $250,000 in legal fees in the case, for members of city government, including Suplizio.
Suplizio was charged in March following an Attorney General investigation into allegations that he stole more than $600,000 from various city bank accounts.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Suplizio’s lawyers argued that the city has found “no record” of any missing funds, according to treasury reports from earlier this year.
Two weeks ago, DuBois city council voted to begin the termination and buyout process of Suplizio’s contract, which runs through March 9, 2025.
Last week, a group of DuBois residents and incoming council members filed the injunction to halt the buyout process.
During this week’s city council meeting, a motion was filed to terminate Suplizio but the motion was voted down until the council receives additional legal advice on how to handle the matter.
We learned that due to his contract, Suplizio must be paid, regardless of termination status, unless he is found guilty of the charges he faces.
A new court date to further discuss the injunction matter has not yet been scheduled and the injunction remains in place.
