Advisory Opinion No. 97-4

Re: Raymond Cordeiro

QUESTION PRESENTED

The petitioner, a Bristol Town Councilor, a municipal elected position, requests an advisory opinion as to whether his private employment as Associate Athletic Director at Roger Williams University affects his ability to vote as Town Councilor on matters pertaining to the University.

RESPONSE

It is the opinion of the Rhode Island Ethics Commission that the petitioner, a Bristol Town Councilor, a municipal elected official, may not participate and vote in matters directly affecting the financial interests of his employer, Roger Williams University. In such instances, he should follow the dictates of R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-14-6 regarding notice and recusal. Under the parameters set out in section 6 the petitioner may participate in matters concerning Roger Williams University, or students at the school, provided that he does not have reason to believe or expect that he or his employer will derive a direct monetary gain or suffer a direct monetary loss, by reason of his official conduct or participation. R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-14-7(a).

This opinion is strictly limited to the facts stated herein and relates only to the application of the Rhode Island Code of Ethics. This Commission offers no opinion on the effect which any other statute, ordinance, constitutional or charter provision or canons of professional ethics may have on your situation. Under the Code of Ethics advisory opinions are based on the representations made by, or on behalf of, an official and are not adversary, or investigative proceedings.

Code Citations:

36-14-5(a)

36-14-7(a)

36-14-6

Related Advisory Opinions:



96-94

96-42

95-102

95-7

Keywords:



Private Employment