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HomeMy WebLinkAbout80-020 BoyleMr. Gerard F. Boyle 201 Lysle Boulevard McKeesport, PA 15132 STATE ETHICS COMMISSION 308 FINANCE BUILDING HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17120 May 21, 1980 OPINION OF THE COMMISSION #80 -020 Dear Mr. Boyle: In your letter of March 30, 1980, you requested an advisory opinion from the State Ethics Commission relative to your position as councilman for the City of McKeesport. In your letter you explained that you are employed as Municipal Coordinator by Centre Video Corporation, a cable television business that presently has a franchise agreement with the City of McKeesport that is due to expire on June 23, 1980. You specifically requested an opinon as to whether you could participate in any manner in the renegotiation of the franchise agreement with the City of McKeesport. It is the Commission's opinion that as a City Councilman you are a "public official" as that term is used in Act 170. Section 1 of the act declares that the "people have a right to be assured that the financial interests of holders of . . . public office present neither a conflict nor the apperance of a conflict with the public trust." Section 3(a) of the Act provides that no "public official" shall use his public office "to obtain financial gain" for himself or a business with which he is associated. It is the Commission's opinion tht Act 170 prevents you from participating in any manner in the renegotiation of the cable television franchise agreement with the City of McKeesport and any council of governments with which the City of McKeesport is associated. Pursuant to Section 7(9)(i), this opinion 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. PAUL J ITH Chair PJS /rdp cc: Michael Meyers Governor's Office of Legislative Relations 7th Floor, Strawberry Square Harrisburg, PA 17120