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Ethics and Public Service

Ethics and Public Service. Laws, Principles and Resources for Information. Session Objectives. To familiarize you with laws that govern your service and when to ask questions To encourage you to think beyond legal restrictions and provide tools for doing so

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Ethics and Public Service

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  1. Ethics and Public Service Laws, Principles and Resources for Information

  2. Session Objectives • To familiarize you with laws that govern your service and when to ask questions • To encourage you to think beyond legal restrictions and provide tools for doing so • Help you comply with AB 1234 requirements

  3. Public Service Ethics is Different • Laws play a bigger role • Perception as important as reality • Key concept: Actions & decision-making in the public’s interest

  4. Session Logistics • 2 hour session • Specified content • Breadth versus depth • Handouts • Questions • Proof of participation • Sign in • Certificates

  5. What Is “Ethics” Anyway?

  6. Ethics Versus Ethics Laws • Ethics = what we ought to do • Laws = what we must do • Minimum standards • Penalties • Legal ≠ ethical

  7. What We Ought to Do = Values • Trustworthiness • Loyalty • Responsibility • Respect • Fairness • Compassion

  8. Responsibility Issues • Making decisions for others • Stewards of taxpayers’ resources • Perception matters • Personal and organizational ethics

  9. Understanding Ethics Laws What They Cover When You Need to Ask Questions

  10. Why Should You Take the Time? • Loss of freedom--6 months to 20 years • Fines (up to $250,000) + restitution + forfeiture • Attorneys fees ($3K to $1M+) • Own and others’ • Personal costs

  11. State Ethics Laws • Personal financial gain • Personal advantages and perks • Governmental transparency • Fair processes

  12. Group 1:Personal Financial Gain Issues Principles: • Public’s interest should be sole motivation • Public servants should not benefit financially from their positions Personal Gain

  13. Examples of Financial Gain Laws • Bribery • Prohibitions against self-dealing • Employment-related restrictions

  14. Public officials may not: Solicit, receive or agree to receive A benefit In exchange for their official actions Bribery

  15. Beware of: “this for that” Think about what you would say if someone approached you Bribery and Related Crimes

  16. Bribery: Penalties • Up to four years in state prison • Loss of office • Barred from holding office • Fines/restitution • Federal prosecutions: stiffer penalties

  17. Self Dealing No Self-Dealing Rules • Disqualification/conflicts of interest rules • Special rules for contracts

  18. Rule: You may not participate in a decision if financial interests are affected by a decision Effect can be positive or negative Disqualification Based on Financial Interests

  19. Disqualification versus Abstention • Disqualification => Legally required • Does not imply wrongdoing • Unless don’t disqualify • Abstention => voluntary • Beyond minimum legal requirements

  20. Getting Advice on PRA Issues Your agency attorney No immunity though The FPPC In writing Allow plenty of time

  21. Don’t discuss or influence (staff or colleagues) Identifynature of conflict at meeting (Elected Officials) Leaveroom (unless matter on consent) If You Are Disqualified

  22. Failure to Step Aside: Penalties • Invalidate decision • Misdemeanor (could result in loss of office) • Fines ($5,000 to $10,000 per violation) • Attorneys fees • Embarrassment

  23. Interests in contracts are forbidden Disqualification likely not be enough Penalties: Refund money received, fines, imprisonment, and loss of office (felony) Warning!Special Rules for Contracts

  24. Future Employment Issues • Revolving door prohibition • Electeds and top managers • Cannot represent people for pay for a year after leaving their agency • No participation in decisions involving future employers

  25. It’s about the public’s interest Not about the money Key Things to Remember

  26. For More Information on Personal Financial Gain Laws www.ca-ilg.org/FinancialGain

  27. Principles: Democratic equality and serving the public’s interests No special privileges for public officials Group 2: Perks PERKS

  28. Compensation Use-of-public-resources issues Personal Use/Expense Reimbursement Political Use Gifts Three Areas

  29. Local Official Compensation • Limited by law • No honoraria rule for speaking or writing (page 7Perks)

  30. Personal use of public resources (including staff time and agency equipment) prohibited Political use of public resources also prohibited Use-of-Public-Resources Issues

  31. Money or anything paid for with public money: Staff time Office space Equipment Supplies “Public Resources”

  32. AB 1234 expense reimbursement policies Note: Partner/spouse expenses Reimbursement Issues: It’s the Public’s Money

  33. By individuals or agency itself (support of ballot measures) Mass mailing restrictions Goal: restrict incumbents’ advantages Political Use of Public Resources

  34. Civil penalties: $1,000/day fine + 3X value of resource used Criminal penalties: 2-4 year prison term + disqualification from office Can also have income tax implications Consequences of Violations

  35. Meals, food and drink Entertainment (concerts & sporting events) Certain kinds of travel Gifts Don’t Always Have Bows

  36. Report $50 and up (over a year) Limit $440 per year (2013 – 2014 proposed) Exceptions for some kinds of travel, informational materials May also be a disqualifying interest (over $440 in prior 12 months) Gift Rules

  37. Up to $5,000 per violation Own attorneys fees ($3,000 - $30,000) Gift Limits: State Law Penalties

  38. No free transportation from transportationcarriers Penalty: Loss of office Special Rule

  39. Avoid rationalization traps Beware of people’s nice gestures Key Things to Remember

  40. For More Information on Perk Issues www.ca-ilg.org/Perks

  41. Principles: It’s the public’s business The public trusts a process it can see Group 3:Transparency Laws Secrecy

  42. Types of Laws • Financial Disclosure • Charitable Fundraising • Brown Act • Public Records Act

  43. Financial Interest Disclosure • Transparency includes obligation for high level public servants to disclose financial interests • Assuming office • Annually while in office • Upon leaving office

  44. Charitable Fundraising • Rule applies to elected officials • Disclose $5,000 or more from single source • Charitable, legislative or governmental purpose

  45. Conduct business in open and publicized meetings Allow public to participate in meetings Allow public inspection of records More Transparency Rules

  46. Conducting Business at Open Meetings • A majority may not consult outside an agency-convened meeting • Media vigilance • Newspaper test

  47. Penalties: Adverse media attention + costs and fees if litigated Agendas + writings prepared, owned, used or retained by agency (including electronic) Public Records

  48. “Who’s going to know?” is a very risky line of thinking Nothing to hide may be a good goal Key Things to Remember

  49. For More Information on Transparency www.ca-ilg.org/TransparencyLaws

  50. Principle:Under certain circumstances, public officials are stewards of fair processes Decision-making Contracting Employment Group 4: Fair Process Laws Favoritism

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