Supreme Court refuses to take up appeal by ex-Pittsburgh Councilwoman Darlene Harris on ethics fine

The state Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to hear an appeal by former Pittsburgh City Councilwoman Darlene Harris over fines levied against her for failing to file financial disclosure reports during her 2019 campaign.

The court provided no explanation for its decision, but noted in the order that Justice David N. Wecht did not participate in the consideration or decision of the matter.

In December, the Commonwealth Court upheld a $4,150 fine levied against Harris for violating a 2015 city ordinance that requires candidates for office to provide a campaign fiance report on the first business day of each of three months leading up to election day.

Harris was notified in February 2019 that she was required to submit those reports for the primary that year, but she refused to comply.

Instead, Harris, who was first elected in 2006, challenged the law, arguing it was unconstitutional and preempted by state campaign finance laws.

She filed a suit against the city, former Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and the Ethics Hearing Board.

A hearing officer ruled against Harris on May 23, 2019. The ethics board issued a fine of $50 per day for each day Harris failed to file the required report, totaling $4,150.

The decision was upheld at the Common Pleas Court level, as well as Commonwealth Court, which found that the fine was properly authorized and not excessive.

Jim Burn, the attorney who represented Harris in the case, said he still has to discuss the decision with her before considering further steps.

“I was hoping the Supreme Court would take a look at the issues we presented,” Burn said. “We believe there are some serious shortcomings in the manner in which the city enacted campaign finance reform.”