HomeMy WebLinkAbout80-559 SchwarzTO:
DISCUSSION:
CONCLUSION:
STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
HARRISBURG, PA.
ADVICE OF CHIEF COUNSEL
February 27, 1980
Charles E. Schwarz
1405 Pine Crest Drive
South Williamsport, PA 17701
Advice # 559
RE: State government employee representing the
National Audubon Society on an advisory committee.
FACTS:
On October 25, 1979, Mr. Schwarz asked whether there
would be a conflict under Act 170 if he, as a forester,
Bureau of Forestry, Department of Environmental Resources,
would represent the National Audubon Society on a newly
established advisory committee to the School of Forest
Resources of the Pennsylvania State University.
•
Section 3, (a) prohibits a public official
or public employee from using his or her public office or
any confidential information received through holding that
office to obtain financial gain other than-.compensation
provided by law.
Mr. Schwarz's representation of the National Audubon
Society would not result in financial. gain to him. Section
3 (d) of Act 170 allows the Commission to investigate other
areas of possible conflict; we find no other areas of possible
conflict in this situation.
Mr. Schwarz may serve as a delegate to the Pennsylvania
Audubon Society and represent the Society on the Advisory
Committee to the School of Forest Resources of the PA State
University without conflict under Act 170.
Mr. Charles E. Schwarz
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Pursuant to Section 7P )(ii), this advice is a
complete defense in any enforcement proceeding initiated
by the Commission, and evidence of good faith conduct in
any other civil or criminal proceeding, providing the
requestor has disclosed truthfully all the material facts
and committed the acts complained of in reliance on the
advice given.
A personal appearance before the Commission and a
formal opinion will be issued upon your request, if you
feel this reply does not suffice.
This letter is a public record and will be made
available as such.
DAVID RITT" OUSE MORRISON
Chief Counsel