Advisory Opinion No. 97-26

Re: Linda H. Sullivan

QUESTION PRESENTED

The petitioner, a former Warwick City Councilor, a municipal elected position, whose term of office expired on January 7, 1997, requests an advisory opinion as to whether she may accept an appointment to the Warwick Sewer Authority given that the appointment, which would be made by the mayor of the city, is subject to confirmation by the City Council.

RESPONSE

It is the opinion of the Rhode Island Ethics Commission that the petitioner, a former Warwick City Councilor, a municipal elected position, whose term of office expired on January 7, 1997, may not accept an appointment to the Warwick Sewer Authority prior to the expiration of one year from the date of her leaving office as a City Councilor. Commission Regulation 5006 provides that no elected or appointed official may accept any appointment by the body of which he or she is a member to any position which carries with it any financial benefit or remuneration. The prohibition extends for one year after the termination of an official's membership on the public body.

Here, serving as a member of the Warwick Sewer Authority is a compensated position. Therefore, the prohibitions set forth in Commission Regulation 5006 attach and the Petitioner may not, consistent with the Code of Ethics, accept appointment to the Warwick Sewer Commission.

Code Citations:

36-14-5(e)(4)

Related Advisory Opinions:

96-119

96-102

96-59

96-11

94-13

Keywords:

post-employment

revolving door