This article addresses the difficult issue of what to do when one is tempted to lie to protect one's public agency from the application of a seemingly unfair law. The article concludes that telling the truth is always the best course of action.
This article provides a detailed analysis of common law restrictions relating to decision-maker bias, as well as the consequences of having a biased decision-maker participate in a decision.
This article explains the application of the Fair Political Practices Commission's eight-step process for determining whether a public official may not participate in a decision because of the potential effects of that decision on property the official owns.
This article discusses the difference between an official being legally disqualified from participating in a decision and making the voluntary decision to abstain from participating. The distinction relates to the difference between following the law and setting one's sights higher than the minimum requirements of the law to promote public trust and confidence in one's integrity.
(Four-page tipsheet): Provides a handy reference on the kinds of issues that ought to trigger a conversation with agency counsel or the Fair Political Practices Commission.
This fictional account illustrates how local officials can inadvertently be lured into problematic situations and offers ideas on how to respond. Download video »
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