115 – Commissioner and Agency Ethics: Identifying and Avoiding Ethical Violations That Could Cost You Plenty
Steven Adams, Partner, Robbins Schwartz
Today more than ever, elected officials and high-ranking public executives are under the microscope of public scrutiny. In a world where the public can record and publish events to the world as they occur, elected and appointed park, forest preserve and other agency officials must know and observe all of the ethics laws that apply. Ethical lapses must be avoided rather than corrected. Ethical mistakes with contracts, competitive bids, campaign activities, gifts, and others can cost you your position, subject you to criminal and civil liability, and damage your organization. Join this session to understand your ethics rules and how they apply, through stories and examples.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
-Learn the statutory and common law ethics rules governing commissioners and other high ranking elected and appointed public officers, including prohibited interests in contracts, statements of economic interest, official misconduct, criminal public contracting, gift bans, and prohibited political activities.
- Learn strategies for identifying and avoiding conduct that violates statutory and common law ethical rules and principles.