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HomeMy WebLinkAbout81-617 StreetT. Milton Street Senate of Pennsylvania 186 Main..Capitol Harrisburg, PA 17120 Dear Senator Street: Mailin Address. STATE ETHICS COMMISSION P.O. BOX 1 179 HARRISBURG, PA 17108 TELEPHONE: (717) 783 -1610 September 3, 1981 ADVICE OF COUNSEL RE: Employment, Administrative Assistant State Ethics Commission • 308 Finance Building • Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 81 -617 This responds to your communication of August 26, 1981 in which you requested advice from the State Ethics Commission. Issue: You requested advice as to whether there is any violation of the Ethics Act in a situation which will probably arise in the near future. Facts: Specifically, on November 15, 1981 you intend to marry your Administrative Assistant, A. Yvonne Hipp. Ms. Hipp has been on the State payroll, employed by you first in the House of Representatives and now in the Pennsylvania State Senate. You wish to know if there is anything unethical in continuing her employment as your Administrative Assistant subsequent to your marriage. Discussion: A careful review of the Ethics Act and of the opinions of the Commission fail to reveal any provision or determination which would declare it unethical for Ms. Hipp to continue her employment as your Administrative Assistant following your marriage on November 15, 1981. Conclusion: Accordingly, there is no prohibition against Ms. Hipp continuing her employment as your Administrative Assistant, under the provisions of the Ethics Act or the decisions of the Commission, following your marriage to her. T. Milton Street September 3, 1981 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. This letter is a public record and will be made available as such. 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 will be issued. You should make such a request or indicate your disapproval of this Advice within the next 30 days. SSC /rdp cc: Henry G. Hager, President Pro Tempore Sincerely, �� ,, # 71 .n Christianson General C•unsel