HomeMy WebLinkAbout81-564 BodackLeonard J. Bodack, Senator
Senate of Pennsylvania
Senate Post Office
State Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Dear Senator Bodack:
STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
308 FINANCE BUILDING
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17120
April 28, 1981
ADVICE OF COUNSEL
81 -564
This responds to your letter of April 8 1981 in which you
request advice from the State Ethics Commission.
Issue: In your letter of April 8, 1981 you question whether
your purchase of Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency Bonds
represents any conflict of interest with your public office.
Facts: You serve as a Senator in the Legislature representing
the 38th Senatorial District. You recently purchased bonds
issued by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA).
Discussion: You are an elected official and therefore a
"public official" within the definition of that term in the
Ethics Act. 65 P.S. 402. As such your conduct is governed by
the Ethics Act.
However, there is no conflict under Act 170 in your
purchase or holding of PHFA bonds. Please remember, however
that any investment which represents a source of income of $500
or more must be individually reported on your Statement of
Financial Interests.
Conclusion: There is no conflict presented by your purchase of
PHFA bonds. The income from these bonds, if $500 or more must
be reported on your Financial Interest Statement.
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 tacts and committed the
acts complained of in reliance on the Advice given.
This letter is a public record and will be made available
as such.
Leonard J. Bodack, Senator
April 28, 1981
Page 2
Finally, if you disagree with this Advice or if you have
any reason to challenge same, you may request that the full
Commission review this Advice. A personal appearance before
the Commission may be scheduled and a formal Opinion from the
Commission will be issued. You should make such a request or
indicate your disapproval of this Advice within the next 30
days.
SSC /rdp
Sincerely,
ndra S. Ch
General Cou