HomeMy WebLinkAbout80-689 PrattRepresentative Ralph D. Pratt
Member, 10th District
House of Representatives
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Dear Representative Pratt:
STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
308 FINANCE BUILDING
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17120
July 9, 1980
ADVICE OF THE COMMISSION
We do not think there is inherent conflict under Act
170 when either of these situtations occur.
80 -689
On April 28, 1980 you asked whether there would be a
conflict when a full -time employee of the General Assembly
representing an elected state legislator becomes a candidate
for the General Assembly. You noted the individual was a
full -time staff employee in a home district of a state
legislator and has not resigned his position or taken a
leave of absence during his current 1980 election campaign.
We discussed this request with you and the senator for
whom the candidate is working. You confirmed the information
in your correspondence. The senator stated that his employee
was performing constituent responsibilities in the senator's
district which included assignments outside the district in
which he was seeking election.
We note that it is a common and accepted practice in
our election process for incumbents in public offices and
staff members of those incumbents to engage in political
campaigns while continuing to meet the responsibilities of
their current positions.
Representative Ralph D. Pratt
July 9, 1980
Page 2
Pursuant to Section 7(9)(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.
PJS /rdp
You may appeal this advice to the full Commission.
This letter is a public record and will be made available
as such.
_c_
PAUL J
Chairm;