Dave Demerjian - LA County Distict Attorney's Office Of Public Integrity
Download as PPT, PDF1 like808 views
This document outlines eight rules for public officials to avoid conflicts of interest and maintain transparency: 1) Only spend public funds if authorized by law and for a public purpose. Problem areas include gifts, alcohol, and meals for third parties. 2) Ensure travel expenses serve a public purpose with a clear connection to official duties. Problem areas include entertainment, meals for third parties, and alcohol. 3) Officials must actually live in the district they represent, not just claim residency. Filing false documents related to residency is a felony. 4) Follow limits on gifts from interested parties established by the Fair Political Practices Commission. Problem areas include event tickets, meals, and travel. 5) Fully
Dave Demerjian - LA County Distict Attorney's Office Of Public Integrity
- 1. EIGHT SIMPLE RULES (for avoiding the PID) Dave Demerjian Head Deputy District Attorney Public Integrity Division (213) 974-6515
- 2. Rule #1: American Express… leave home without it
- 3. Any expenditure of public funds 1. Must be authorized by law 2. Must serve a public purpose (a benefit to the public) PC 424 (felony) 4 yrs prison and lifetime ban Credit Cards
- 4. General law city: GC 36514.5 Actual and necessary expense “Indispensable, unavoidable…” Connection between expense and performance of official duties Credit Cards
- 5. Problem areas: Golf Alcohol Non-travel rental cars Meals for third parties Non-travel meals Gifts Political expenditures Credit Cards
- 6. Rule #2: Is this trip necessary?
- 7. Actual and necessary expense Clear nexus between attendance and performance of official duty Must serve a public purpose Travel
- 8. Problem areas: Entertainment Meals for third parties Alcohol Spouses “Double dipping” Failure to return excess advance Travel
- 9. Rule #3: Home is where your stuff is
- 10. Statutes require residency within represented district (domicile) Habitation is fixed Intention of remaining Intention of returning The place where you live Residency
- 11. Not living in the district is not a crime but… Filing false documents False voter registration Perjury And voter fraud Are all felonies Residency
- 12. Rule #4: It is better to give than receive
- 13. Limits established by FPPC Gift: Personal benefit without equal consideration , and Rebate or discount not available to the public Value = fair market value Gifts
- 14. Problem areas: Movie passes Event tickets Local business discounts Hosted meals Travel Use of house/condo/apt Gifts
- 15. Rule #5: Observe and report … accurately
- 16. Statement of Economic Interest Form 700 Report gifts Complete and accurate Signed under penalty of perjury Perjury is a felony Gifts
- 17. Rule #6: Don’t serve two masters
- 18. GC 87100 Make , or influence; An official decision; In which official (or spouse) has a financial interest When in doubt – sit it out Or contact the FPPC - immunity Conflicts of Interest
- 19. Special rule for contracts : Cannot vote on , or influence; A contract In which official (or spouse) has a financial interest (GC 1090) Willful and knowing violation = felony FPPC cannot provide advice/immunity Conflicts of Interest
- 20. Rule #7: Political campaigns (keep it clean)
- 21. Report all contributions Form 460 signed under penalty of perjury No cash contributions Cannot solicit employees No anonymous “hit piece” mailers Campaign money laundering Campaign Issues
- 22. Rule #8: Don’t keep secrets (The Brown Act)
- 23. Err on the side of transparency Especially controversial issues The gadflies are watching No “gray areas” Must be a specified exception All exceptions benefit the residents NOT THE OFFICIALS We don’t negotiate Brown Act
Editor's Notes
- #17: The voters want to know who is giving you gifts – that’s why we have these rules If you are too embarrassed to report the gift – maybe you shouldn’t be accepting it The ones you don’t want to report are the very ones the voters want to know about Important that your reporting is accurate and complete Perjury conviction disqualifies you from holding public office