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Home My WebLink About05-575 SandersonSean E. Sanderson 3607 Schoolhouse Lane Harrisburg, PA 17109 Dear Mr. Sanderson: ADVICE OF COUNSEL September 14, 2005 05 -575 Re: Simultaneous Service, Local Government Policy Specialist and Township Commissioner. This responds to your letter of August 12, 2005, by which you requested advice from the State Ethics Commission. Issue: Whether the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act ( "Ethics Act "), 65 Pa. .S. § 1101 et seq., imposes any prohibition or restrictions upon a Local Government Policy Specialist from simultaneously serving as a Township Commissioner. Facts: You are currently employed as a Local Government Policy Specialist for the overnor's Center for Local Government Services within the Department of Community and Economic Development ( "DCED "). You have submitted a copy of your job description, which is incorporated herein by reference. You are also an elected Commissioner for Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County. You seek an advisory from the State Ethics Commission in anticipation of any inquiries that may be directed toward you as you seek re- election as a Township Commissioner in 2005. Discussion: It is initially noted that pursuant to Sections 1107(10) and 1107(11) of the Ethics Act, 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1107(10), (11), advisories are issued to the requester based upon the facts that the requester has submitted. In issuing the advisory based upon the facts that the requester has submitted, the Commission does not engage in an independent investigation of the facts, nor does it speculate as to facts that have not been submitted. It is the burden of the requester to truthfully disclose all of the material facts relevant to the inquiry. 65 Pa.C.S. §§ 1107(10), (11). An advisory only affords a defense to the extent the requester has truthfully disclosed all of the material facts. It is further initially noted that, pursuant to the same aforesaid Sections of the Ethics Act, an opinion /advice may be given only as to prospective (future) conduct. If the activity in question has already occurred, the Commission may not issue an opinion /advice but any person may then submit a signed and sworn complaint, which will be investigated by the Commission if there are allegations of Ethics Act violations by a person who is subject to the Ethics Act. To the extent you have inquired as to conduct that has already occurred, such past conduct may not be addressed in the Sanderson, 05 -575 September 14, 2005 Page 2 context of an advisory opinion. However, to the extent you have inquired as to future conduct, your inquiry may, and shall be addressed. As a Local Government Policy Specialist for the Governor's Center for Local Government Services within DCED, you are a "public employee" as that term is defined in the Ethics Act and hence you are subject to the provisions of the Ethics Act. 65 Pa.C.S. §1102; 51 Pa. Code §11.1. As an elected Township Commissioner, you are a "public official" subject to the Ethics Act. Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act provides: § 1103. Restricted activities (a) Conflict of interest. - -No public official or public employee shall engage in conduct that constitutes a conflict of interest. 65 Pa.C.S. § 1103(a). The following terms that pertain to conflicts of interest under the Ethics Act are defined as follows: § 1102. Definitions "Conflict" or "conflict of interest." Use by a public official or public employee of the authority of his office or employment or any confidential information received through his holding public office or employment for the private pecuniary benefit of himself, a member of his immediate family or a business with which he or a member of his immediate family is associated. The term does not include an action having a de minimis economic impact or which affects to the same degree a class consisting of the general public or a subclass consisting of an industry, occupation or other group which includes the public official or public employee, a member of his immediate family or a business with which he or a member of his immediate family is associated. "Authority of office or employment." The actual power provided by law, the exercise of which is necessary to the performance of duties and responsibilities unique to a particular public office or position of public employment. 65 Pa.C.S. § 1102. In applying the above provisions of the Ethics Act to the question of simultaneous service, it is initially noted that the General Assembly has the constitutional power to declare by law which offices are incompatible. Pa. Const. Art. 6, § 2. There does not appear to be any statutorily - declared incompatibility precluding simultaneous service in the positions in question. Turning to the question of conflict of interest, pursuant to Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, a public official /public employee is prohibited from using the authority of public office /employment or confidential information received by holding such a public position for the private pecuniary benefit of the public official /public employee himself, a member of his immediate family, or a business with which he or a member of his immediate family is associated. Sanderson, 05 -575 September 14, 2005 Page 3 Where simultaneous service would place the public official /public employee in a continual state of conflict, such as where in one position he would be accounting to himself in another position on a continual basis, there would be an inherent conflict. (See, McCain, Opinion 02 -009). Where an inherent conflict would exist, it would appear to be impossible, as a practical matter, for the public official /public employee to function in the conflicting positions without running afoul of Section 1103(a). Absent a statutorily - declared incompatibility or an inherent conflict under Section 1103(a), the Ethics Act would not preclude an individual from simultaneously serving in more than one position, but in each instance of a conflict of interest, the individual would be required to abstain and to satisfy the disclosure requirements of Section 1103(j) as set forth above. In this case, based upon the facts which have been submitted, there does not appear to be an inherent conflict that would preclude simultaneous service as a Local Government Policy Specialist for the Governor's Center for Local Government Services and as an elected Township Commissioner. Consequently, such simultaneous service would be permitted within the parameters of Sections 1103(a) and 1103(j). Lastly, the propriety of the proposed conduct has only been addressed under the Ethics Act. Specifically not addressed herein is the applicability of the Governor's Code of Conduct and the Civil Service Act. Conclusion: As a Local Government Specialist for the Governor's Center for Local Government Services, you are a "public employee" subject to the provisions of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act ( "Ethics Act "), 65 Pa.C.S. § 1101 et seq. As an elected Township Commissioner, you are a "public official" subject to the Ethics Act. You may, consistent with Section 1103(a) of the Ethics Act, simultaneously serve in the positions of Local Government Specialist for the Governor's Center for Local Government Services and Township Commissioner, subject to the restrictions, conditions and qualifications set forth above. Lastly, the propriety of the proposed course of conduct has only been addressed under the Ethics Act. Pursuant to Section 1107(11), 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, provided the requester 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 appeal the Advice to the full Commission. A personal appearance before the Commission will be scheduled and a formal Opinion will be issued by the Commission. Any such appeal must be in writing and must be actually received at the Commission within thirty (30) days of the date of this Advice pursuant to 51 Pa.Code § 13.2(h). The appeal may be received at the Commission by hand delivery, United States mail, delivery service, or by FAX transmission 17 -787- 0806). Failure to file such an appeal at the Commission within thirty 30) days may result in the dismissal of the appeal. Sincerely, Vincent J. Dopko Chief Counsel