District Attorney Hoovler Reminds Local Officials to Avoid Conflicts of Interests

February 26, 2023

District Attorney Hoovler Reminds Local Officials to Avoid Conflicts of Interests

 

District Attorney Hoovler recommends that local municipalofficials to ensure that they, and those who work for them abide by the General Municipal Law by disclosing and avoiding any situation where they, or their family members, benefit from theirgovernmental positions.

 

Conflicts of Interests can Result in Criminal Sanctions

 

 

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler recommended on January 30, 2023, that all local governmental officials institute practices and procedures to ensure that neither they, nor those who work under them, engage in any prohibited conflict of interest. The General Municipal Law prohibits any officer or employee of any municipality, including members of any administrative board or commission, such as a zoning or planning boards, to engage in any conflict of interest. District Attorney Hoovler reminds everyone that these rules apply to essentially all those who do work for any local governmental agency, even if it is a completely unpaid or volunteer position. The General Municipal Law prohibits any of these officials or employees from having an interest in any contract that they deal with as a municipal official. A prohibited interest in a contract includes any direct or indirect monetary or material benefit to the municipal officer or employee, or to that officialsfamily members from the contract.

The General Municipal Law requires that municipal officials and employees disclose any conflicts of interests they may have in a matter and recuse themselves from voting or participating inany matter where they or their family could have a financial interest. Violations of these rules can result in criminal sanctionsas was recently demonstrated in the cases involving the Orange County Industrial Development Agency where conflicted officials were prosecuted not just under the General Municipal Law but were also charged with felony violations of Corrupting the Government under the Penal Law.

Residents are entitled to honest government,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “Those who work in a publiccapacity should be doing so for the benefit of all, not to help themselves or their family members. It is up to municipal leaders not only to make sure not only that they abide by these rules, but to make sure that all employees, and members of volunteer boards in their municipality are aware of the strictures of the General Municipal Law and abide by them. Taxpayers deserve nothing less.