Pa. Cons. Stat. » 65 Pa. Cons. Stat. (PUBLIC OFFICERS) / Chapter 11
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

65 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1110 (2026)

 Wrongful use of chapter.

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 1110.  Wrongful use of chapter.

(a)  Liability.--A person who signs a complaint alleging a violation of this chapter against another is subject to liability for wrongful use of this chapter if:

(1)  the complaint was frivolous, as defined by this chapter, or without probable cause and made primarily for a purpose other than that of reporting a violation of this chapter; or

(2)  he publicly disclosed or caused to be disclosed that a complaint against a person had been filed with the commission.

(b)  Probable cause.--A person who signs a complaint alleging a violation of this chapter has probable cause for doing so if he reasonably believes in the existence of the facts upon which the claim is based and either:

(1)  reasonably believes that under those facts the complaint may be valid under this chapter; or

(2)  believes to this effect in reliance upon the advice of counsel, sought in good faith and given after full disclosure of all relevant facts within his knowledge and information.

(c)  Commission procedures.--When the commission determines that a complainant has violated the provisions set forth in subsection (a), the commission, upon receiving a written request from the subject of the complaint, shall provide the name and address of the complainant to said subject. If the commission determines that a complainant has not violated the provisions of subsection (a), the commission shall notify the subject accordingly. The subject shall have the right to appeal the commission's determination, and the commission shall schedule an appeal hearing. The subject shall show cause why the complainant violated the provisions of this section. If the commission grants the appeal, the commission shall immediately release the complainant's name and address to the subject. If the commission denies the appeal, it shall present evidence why the complainant's name and address shall not be released.

(d)  Damages.--When the essential elements of an action brought pursuant to this section have been established, the plaintiff is entitled to recover for the following:

(1)  The harm to his reputation by a defamatory matter alleged as the basis of the proceeding.

(2)  The expenses, including any reasonable attorney fees, that he has reasonably incurred in proceedings before the commission.

(3)  Any specific pecuniary loss that has resulted from the proceedings.

(4)  Any emotional distress that has been caused by the proceedings.

(5)  Any punitive damages according to law in appropriate cases.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases, 2003–2016 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Veon, 150 A.3d 435 (Pa. 2016).
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Commonwealth v. Veon, 150 A.3d 435 (Pa. 2016). “” 65 Pa.C.S. § 1110(d)(3). While the absence of a formal definition from Title 65, viewed in tandem with the express limitation of Title 18’s definition to that Title, urges caution upon us in importing the latter to the former, we may nonetheless consider Section 4501’s…”
Shaulis v. Pennsylvania State Ethics Comm'n, 833 A.2d 123 (Pa. 2003). · cites it 2× “§ 1109, or the award of monetary damages under Section 1110, 65 Pa.C.S. § 1110. [2] I also disagree with the majority's assessment that Appellee's status as a former (as opposed to present) employee should control in determining the constitutionality of Section 1103(g), and that…”
Stilp v. Contino, 743 F. Supp. 2d 460 (M.D. Penn. 2010). “65 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1110 (a)(1). Sanctions are also available when a complaint lacks probable cause or is made for a purpose other than reporting a violation of the Act.”
— 65 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1110(d)(3) — 1 case
Commonwealth v. Veon, 150 A.3d 435 (Pa. 2016). “” 65 Pa.C.S. § 1110(d)(3). While the absence of a formal definition from Title 65, viewed in tandem with the express limitation of Title 18’s definition to that Title, urges caution upon us in importing the latter to the former, we may nonetheless consider Section 4501’s…”
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