Originally published Thursday, September 4, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Board: Paying fines with city money unethical
After City Councilmember Richard McIver tried to pay an ethics fine with city money, the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission Wednesday...
Seattle Times staff reporter
After City Councilmember Richard McIver tried to pay an ethics fine with city money, the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission Wednesday recommended changing the law to force city employees and elected officials to use their own money.
The change would require City Council approval. A majority of the council, including McIver, has said it would support the change.
Leaving the law as it is "would render absolutely meaningless the ability of this body to fine people for ethics violations that were committed," said commission Chairwoman Michele Radosevich.
McIver was fined $1,000 in July for awarding a no-bid contract to a company after vacationing in the Virgin Islands condominium of one of the firm's owners. The commission ruled that while McIver did not intend to violate the code or receive any private benefit, a reasonable person would consider his judgment impaired by his vacation stays.
McIver paid the fine with city funds, which he said was allowed under city law. Wayne Barnett, the commission's executive director, last week rejected payment and threatened legal action. McIver then paid with personal funds.
Council President Richard Conlin and Council members Sally Clark, Tim Burgess, Tom Rasmussen and Jean Godden also support the commission's proposal. Clark said she expects to discuss the issue in her committee this fall.
"The ethics code is one area where you want to have to pay your own fine," Clark said.
She was undecided on the commission's simultaneous recommendation Wednesday to reduce the city's responsibility for providing legal defense in an ethics case. Under the current code, the city provides an attorney for the person accused of misconduct.
The commission recommended the City Council loosen the requirement so if an employee is found to have intentionally violated the ethics code, the city can demand reimbursement for legal costs.
The proposed requirement would be consistent with how the city treats employees who are sued. "That's not as slam-dunk or as easy as saying ethics fines should be paid by a city employee," Clark said.
The commission made the recommendations in a 6-1 vote, with Commissioner Mel Kang opposing them. Commissioners Radosevich, Robert Mahon, Tarik Burney, Ed Carr, Lynne Iglitzin and Nancy Bickford Miller supported them.
Sharon Pian Chan: 206-464-2958 or schan@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
![]()
UPDATE - 09:46 AM
Exxon Mobil wins ruling in Alaska oil spill case
NEW - 7:51 AM
Longview man says he was tortured with hot knife
Longview man says he was tortured with hot knife
Longview mill spills bleach into Columbia River
NEW - 8:00 AM
More extensive TSA searches in Sea-Tac Airport rattle some travelers

general classifieds
Garage & estate salesFurniture & home furnishings
Electronics
just listed
***Stunning Akc POMERANIAN baby girl W/ FUL...
12 U Select Baseball Coach Wanted
1994 WIn 1901
More listings
POST A FREE LISTING
- Lakewood cop accused of embezzling $150K meant for slain officers' families
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Agency set to investigate handling of 911 call about Josh Powell
- Quick decisions: How Washington hired its new football staff
- Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looms
- Justin Wilcox's versatile defensive style is the right fit for Huskies | Jerry Brewer
- It's Terrence Time: Enigmatic Ross leads Huskies
- Social worker recounts minutes before Powell fire
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- Club promoter convicted in brutal 2010 murder of Des Moines prostitute
- Gay-marriage bill passes House, awaits Gregoire's signature
434 - Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looming
346 - Sheriff's office unhappy with 911 dispatcher in caseworker's call
282 - 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
235 - Source: NY, California to sign mortgage settlement
208 - Oregon live game thread
153 - Pac-12 picks ... including the UW game
140 - Lakewood cop accused of taking donations for slain officers' families
114 - Department of Justice owes the Seattle Police Department an apology
88 - Thursday morning links --- and a video!!!
72
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- State Medicaid program to stop paying for unneeded ER visits
- One man's audacious pursuit of sailing history
- Darren Berg gets 18-year sentence for Ponzi scheme
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- A wandering gene's destructive path | Book review
- 'Gauguin and Polynesia': dazzling mix-and-match | Art review
- UW opening incubator facility for startups
- Controversial principal at Lowell Elementary takes job in Tacoma
- Lakewood cop accused of embezzling $150K meant for slain officers' families
