ETHICS? WHAT ETHICS?

THE LITTLE LEIGH SAGA CONTINUES…      

                          

 

Conflict of interest (italics, underline, mine) from Law.com A situation in which a person has a duty to more than one person or organization, but cannot do justice to the actual or potentially adverse interests of both parties. This includes when an individual's personal interests or concerns are inconsistent with the best for a customer, or when a public official's personal interests are contrary to his/her loyalty to public business. An attorney, an accountant, a business adviser or realtor cannot represent two parties in a dispute and must avoid even the appearance of conflict. He/she may not join with a client in business without making full disclosure of his/her potential conflicts, he/she must avoid commingling funds with the client, and never, never take a position adverse to the customer.

From the “Synopsis of Findings” in the Hoovler’s press release April 30^th 2014 (PAGE NUMBERS REFER TO THE ACTUAL REPORT AS PICTURED ABOVE) 

(The “legislator”=Benton)

  On December 9, 2013, the legislator presided over a meeting of the statutory committee of which he was Chairperson, and advocated that a particular building option for the Orange County Government Center be chosen by the committee. That option would be forwarded to the full legislature for their approval. That option was selected by the committee. (page 37).

From the Ethics Code known officially as:  ORANGE COUNTY LOCAL ETHICS LAW (LOCAL LAW NO. 2 OF 1994 AS AMENDED)

1. No officer or employee shall take action or participate in any manner whatsoever in his or her official capacity in the discussion, negotiation or the awarding of any contract or in any business or professional dealings with the County of Orange or any agency thereof in which the official or employee, their spouse, child or sibling has or will have an interest, direct or indirect, in such contract or professional dealings.5

From the “Synopsis of Findings” again:

 

On December 12, 2013, immediately prior to a vote by the full legislature to approve the building option, the principal owner of the firm gave the legislator a formal job offer. Under the terms of the offer the legislator’s employment with the firm would commence in January 2014. The legislator advocated for the same building option that he had advocated for in the statutory committee. That option was accepted by the full legislature. (pages 24, 39 40).

§

On December 16, 2013, the legislator accepted the job offer. (page 40).

  

From the Ethics Code again:

2. No officer or employee shall engage in, solicit, negotiate for or promise to accept private employment or render services for his or her personal benefit when such employment or service creates a conflict or impairs the proper discharge of his or her official duties.

 

  

 of Orange County

                

What didn’t Leigh understand??? What is it that Hoovler isn’t doing??? Where’s the enforcement???

And did Stevie Wonder RETURN the $2500 from Mr. Clark of this same firm? or does he think that he has no conflict?

Auntie wants to know and so does the County.