Ethics Commission > Advisory Opinions > Ethics Opinions

Ethics Advisory Opinions

Index of Ethics Opinions by Topic

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

2005-11 State Official
No Ethics Act provision prohibits state elected official from holding appointed federal position, but State constitutional limitations may apply 

2006-01 County Solid Waste Authority
Rewards program for law enforcement officers reporting illegal dumps not permissible.

2006-03 State Administrative Law Judge 
  Not prohibited from conducting outside law practice 
  May not represent individuals he regulates 
  May not use state resources for private business activities

2006-04 County Employee
Spouse’s work for developer does not bar him from providing support services to county agencies considering developer’s permit applications

2006-05 Mayor
May not serve as Mayor and payroll clerk where Mayor supervises all town employees

2006-06 State Legislator
May not use position to influence appropriations to non-profit employer

2007-04 Assistant Attorney General
May send letter at own expense to clients he represented as government attorney advising of his move to private practice

2007-05 County Commissioner
May provide information on web site for law practice which relates to his role as an elected Commissioner

2007-07 Mayor
Appointment of Mayor’s son as City Attorney would create “inescapable” conflict of interest

2007-13 Administrative Law Judge
Permitted to engage in outside practice of law, provided certain limitations are followed
 
2011-01 County Council Member
County Council Member’s business may appraise estates so long she recuses herself from any matters coming before the County Council involving the probate of any estate her business has appraised.
County Council Member’s business may not appraise any estates over which the Sheriff has been appointed by the County Council as the administrator. 
County Council Member’s business should be removed from the Fiduciary Supervisor’s list of available appraisers.
County Council Member may not appear, as a representative or witness, before the Council, either about the appraised value, or the amount of her compensation.
County Council Member may not accept protected persons from the Sheriff for placement in her nursing home, absent a contract exemption for the Sheriff.

2011-02  County Council Member 
County Council Member’s business may contract with a multi-county Conservation District under the following circumstances:
 (1) the contract is let via a sealed bid process;
 (2) the project is not funded by County money;
 (3) the project is not the subject of an agreement between the District and the County including any agreement for flood control as authorized by W.Va. Code § 19-21A-13 ; and
 (4) the affected Member recuses himself from the District’s appropriation request or any request for funding. 

Opinion does not authorize the employment of County Commissioners or County Council Members, their spouses or dependents, by Conservation Districts in the County where they serve

2011-09 County Hospital 
County Hospital may accept unsolicited offer of equipment and related services from appointed board member.
County Hospital may accept unsolicited offer of real property from appointed board member so long as:  there are no financial conditions associated with the property transfer; and the body notifies the public of the member’s offer and allows other property owners to offer their property.
County Hospital may accept unsolicited offer of real property from appointed board member even if there are unresolved issues requiring mitigation (e.g. environmental hazards, or outstanding liens), but only if an independent evaluation determines that the overriding benefit is to the governing body rather than the donor and it receives permission from the Ethics Commission.
Modifies AO 95-09 by clarifying that the donation (as opposed to the leasing) of property does not constitute a public contract.

2012-17 Presiding Officer of a house of West Virginia Legislature
May not be retained to provide legal services to an Association which is actively engaged in lobbying Legislature on behalf of its members who are public employees.
Proposed employment contract presents an inescapable conflict, given the unique position held and power wielded by the presiding officer.
Access to confidential information may have chilling effect on other legislators, if proposed employment contract permitted.
Public may perceive that Association has hired him because of his unique ability to influence legislation. 
Other Associations that do not employee a high ranking member of the Legislature may believe that they are at a disadvantage in the legislative process. 
Opinion limited to Presiding Officers of houses of West Virginia Legislature.

2012-19 Member of the Legislature
May be retained to provide consulting services to Public University during and after his term of office.
Conflict of interest cured by his removal from potentially overlapping committees.
Must consult with Presiding Officer of his house and abide by appropriate legislative voting rule.
May not use influence of legislative position to attempt to affect the actions of University personnel to enhance his contractual benefits; introduce, sponsor or advocate legislation to benefit the University in any way; influence either the State’s distribution of federal grant money or State funds to the University for any purpose, not just those related to his consulting contract; or influence the appropriation of public funds to benefit the University in any way.

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CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION      back to top


2012-17 Presiding Officer of a house of West Virginia Legislature
May not be retained to provide legal services to an Association which is actively engaged in lobbying Legislature on behalf of its members who are public employees.
Proposed employment contract presents an inescapable conflict, given the unique position held and power wielded by the presiding officer.
Access to confidential information may have chilling effect on other legislators, if proposed employment contract permitted.
Public may perceive that Association has hired him because of his unique ability to influence legislation. 
Other Associations that do not employee a high ranking member of the Legislature may believe that they are at a disadvantage in the legislative process. 
Opinion limited to Presiding Officers of houses of West Virginia Legislature.

2012-25 State Employee
•May represent clients before his former agency upon his departure from government without waiting one year.
•Not an “appointed public official” so one year limitation does not apply because:
    »position not created by law
    »no oath of office
    »neither full-time staff attorney nor accountant
•May not represent clients in matters in which he was substantially involved. 
•May not use or reveal confidential information.
•May register as lobbyist upon his departure from government without waiting one year since he is not under direct supervision of Member of Executive Department.

 2012-36 State Employee
May contract with State of West Virginia to compile official papers of former Governor.
Does not have control over contract.
Does not have access to confidential information related to contract award.
May not use public resources, including Requester’s own time and subordinate staff, to perform the duties of the contract.

2012-38 Part-time Appointed Member of a Review Commission
May provide referral list of names of companies and individuals as prospective buyers to owners of distressed properties appearing before Review Commission.
May, if Review Commission unable to assist in facilitating sale of distressed property (despite providing list of prospective buyers), as part-time appointed public official, purchase property from interested person subject to the foloowing limitations:
    . may not use confidential information acquired in course of official duties to further own personal interests or the interests of another person; and
    . must recuse self from all matters relating to subject property.

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DOUBLE DIPPING             back to top

2006-06 State Legislator
Pay from private employer permitted during Legislative session, if consistent with job duties

2008-05 County Parks & Recreation Commission
A golf pro employed at a public golf course may accept pay for private lessons if he clocks
out before conducting the lesson.

2012-36 State Employee
May contract with State of West Virginia to compile official papers of former Governor.
Does not have control over contract.
Does not have access to confidential information related to contract award.
May not use public resources, including Requester’s own time and subordinate staff, to perform the duties of the contract.

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EMPLOYMENT: RESTRICTIONS                 back to top

2006-03 State Administrative Law Judge (h)
May not represent individuals he regulates while engaging in part-time private law practice

2009-07  County Commissioner (g)
 County  Commissioner, a private attorney, may prepare wills, but must fully recuse himself from County Commission's probate therof;
 County Commissioner may not appear in a representative capacity in any probate proceeding before the County Commission, even if uncontested;
 County Commissioner may testify as witness to will's validity before County Commission but must recuse himself from decision-making on any such will.

2009-10  State Employee (h)
A State employee whose employer has accreditation oversight of institutions of higher education may be compensated for teaching a course at a public university so long as he
 Notifies his supervisor;
 Has his work relating to the accreditation of the public university as part of his doctoral program reviewed by his supervisor and his employing Agency's Review Board;
 Prepares for and teaches the course on his own time;
 Does not use any public resources

2011-04 Per Diem Legislative Attorney  
Per Diem Legislative Attorney, who is not, on July 1, 2011, a Legislative employee as defined by the internal Revenue Service, is not subject to the newly enacted revolving door prohibition.
Independent contractors are not covered by the Ethics Act.

2011-14  Candidate for County Assessor
May not continue career as owner and broker of real estate business within county where he will serve, if elected.
May continue career as owner and broker of real estate business in other counties so long as he does not: use his official position in any way that would give him an advantage; conduct his business on county time; or use county resources (including staff) to conduct his private real estate business.

2012-03 County Agency
Ethics Act does not prohibit County Agency from employing Supervisor’s son, even though they live in the same house, so long as the Supervisor is completely removed from the hiring process.
Ethics Act does not prohibit County Agency from employing Supervisor’s son even though they live in the same house.
Supervisor employed by County Agency is not a county officer and therefore is not subject to provisions of W. Va. Code § 61-10-15.
General rule:  Public servant should not supervise a relative. 
Supervisor employed by County Agency may supervise son on emergency calls and while in the field.

2012-04 Attorney for Municipal Water Board
General Rule:  Ethics Act does not prohibit Chairperson of Municipal Water Board from being employed by Board after resigning as Chairperson. 
Job description so narrowly tailored that only Board’s Chairperson qualifies fails to satisfy requirements of nepotism guidelines.
When a public body knows in advance that one of its preferred candidates is a relative, close friend, or fellow member of the public body, public body must follow the Commission’s nepotism guidelines.

2012-07  Mayor
may not use public resources for the benefit of his private business;
may not use subordinate staff to perform work associated with his private business while the subordinates are on the government time clock;
may not solicit private business from subordinates;
may not distribute promotional materials concerning his private business from his office and/or in City/Town Hall;
may not have an interest in a public contract, with certain exceptions;
must recuse himself when a current customer appears before Council; and
must recuse himself from: drafting bid specifications or requests for proposals;
recommending selection of the vendor; and/or
approving the method or manner of payment to the vendor; and
when serving as municipal judge, must:
if customer within past six months appears, disclose the fact thereof and recuse himself if either party requests; and
recuse himself from cases involving customers within the past six months.

2012-17 Presiding Officer of a house of West Virginia Legislature
May not be retained to provide legal services to an Association which is actively engaged in lobbying Legislature on behalf of its members who are public employees.
Proposed employment contract presents an inescapable conflict, given the unique position held and power wielded by the presiding officer.
Access to confidential information may have chilling effect on other legislators, if proposed employment contract permitted.
Public may perceive that Association has hired him because of his unique ability to influence legislation. 
Other Associations that do not employee a high ranking member of the Legislature may believe that they are at a disadvantage in the legislative process. 
Opinion limited to Presiding Officers of houses of West Virginia Legislature.

2012-18 Registered Lobbyist
Not required to register as lobbyist on behalf of client who retained her to provide advice on State procurement process and to serve as a liaison to a State Agency during client’s efforts to successfully bid on State contract.
Statutory definition of “lobbying” excludes procurement lobbying.
Required to register only if she communicates with State Officials or Members of the Legislature in regard to the passage or defeat of Legislation or Rules on client’s behalf.

2012-19 Member of the Legislature
May be retained to provide consulting services to Public University during and after his term of office.
Conflict of interest cured by his removal from potentially overlapping committees.
Must consult with Presiding Officer of his house and abide by appropriate legislative voting rule.
May not use influence of legislative position to attempt to affect the actions of University personnel to enhance his contractual benefits; introduce, sponsor or advocate legislation to benefit the University in any way; influence either the State’s distribution of federal grant money or State funds to the University for any purpose, not just those related to his consulting contract; or influence the appropriation of public funds to benefit the University in any way.

2012-36 State Employee
May contract with State of West Virginia to compile official papers of former Governor.
Does not have control over contract.
Does not have access to confidential information related to contract award.
May not use public resources, including Requester’s own time and subordinate staff, to perform the duties of the contract.

2012-48 State Licensing Board 
• May not hire candidate for executive director when candidate rents from Board Member who is also subject to the Board’s regulation. 
  o Although candidate received property exemption to lease from Board Member, its terms require him and his subordinates to be removed from all matters affecting Board Member. 
  o Impossible for candidate to comply with requirements of property exemption due to Board’s small staff, administrative structure, and business relationship between candidate and Board Member

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EMPLOYMENT: POST-EMPLOYMENT RESTRICTIONS         back to top

2005-22 Former Public Official (g)
  General counsel to Cabinet Secretary not barred from appearing before all agencies in department 
  One-year ‘revolving door’ prohibition applies to positions held on or after July 1, 2005

2007-04 Assistant Attorney General (f ) ( g)
Must wait 1 year before representing clients before state agency where he served

2007-10 Former County Deputy Assessor  (f)
May operate consulting business relating to contesting property assessments where all property has been re-evaluated since person retired

2010-22 Retired State Employee  (g) 
May contract with his former agency within one year of his departure from the agency.
One year “cooling off” period prohibits elected and appointed public officials, full-time staff attorneys and accountants from appearing back before their former agencies.
Unit Leader not an appointed public official
An appointed public official’s position must be created by law 

2012-09  State Employee
Not a public official subject to revolving door prohibitions
Ethics Act permits post retirement communication with former agency on general matters.Must seek advice from Commission before representing private interests regarding matters in which he was substantially involved.           

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FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS         back to top

2008-01 Candidate for Public Office 
  Must disclose veteran’s disability benefits exceeding $1000 annually 
  May describe as “federal benefits” or “veterans benefits” on form
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GIFTS - ACCEPTANCE             back to top

2006-07 State Employee
Hotel stay “door prize” won at conference hosted by State vendor may not be accepted

2008-06 City Manager
 May not accept free golf from vendor, consultant or other interested person in conjunction with annual association conference of public employees
 Gift limitation applies even if funds from event go to charitable cause
 Authorizes "buy down" with reduces gift to $25 limit

2009-09 State Employee
It would violate the Ethics Act for certain State Agency employees to accept a lower lodging rate from a resort which the State Agency regulates.

2010-02  Attorney for City
City may participate in a vendor's program to provide discount to city employees for personal cell phone use.

2010-05 Public Employees / Higher Ed
Agency's decision to allocate more than $25 to recognize one or more employees, in lieu of expending up to $25 per employee per fiscal year, does not violate the Ethics Act so long as the expenditure on any one employee does not exceed $100, and the total amount expended for this purpose during the fiscal year does not exceed the sum total of $25 per employee. 

2010-11  State Legislator
May not accept two free airline tickets won in a random drawing at a public reception hosted by a State Agency for which the Legislature provides funds.
Prohibition against use of office for private gain applies to expenditures by public entities.

2011-13  State Agency
Public funds may not be spent to pay for health club or gym fees for public servants when the hotel does not provide free exercise facilities to lodgers.
Public servants who receive an expense-paid trip to participate in a conference may not accept payment or reimbursement for health club or gym fees, when the hotel does not provide free exercise facilities to lodgers, and the total value of the fees exceeds $25. 
Public servants who participate in a conference or event as a panelist or speaker may not accept payment or reimbursement for health club or gym fees when the hotel does not provide free exercise facilities to lodgers.

2012-06 Elected Member of the Board of Public Works  
Public official may not endorse business or product of the sponsor of an international government forum that is paying travel expenses related to forum.
Must notify forum participants that the West Virginia Ethics Act prohibits him from endorsing a particular product and that presentation relating to fraud control should not be construed as endorsement of the sponsor’s business or product.
Appearance at international government forum paid for by business which has financial relationship with State provides benefit to West Virginia by allowing State to be recognized for achievements in fraud control and allowing first-hand observation of Australian state governments’ approach to financial management and procurement. 
Must decline invitation to participate in proposed meetings with senior level government officials because these meetings do not provide an overriding benefit to the State of West Virginia.

2012-20 Public University  
May use public funds to purchase prizes or incentives, including gift cards, for wellness related competitions or promotions when prize recipients include University employees.
$25.00 gift limit not applicable because wellness program administrators are not interested parties to recipients.
May use reasonable amount of public funds for wellness-related incentives so long as there is a rational basis for such expenditure.

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GIFTS - SOLICITATION             back to top

2005-02 County Board of Health 
  May solicit donations for public health programs 
  Establishes guidelines for non-coercive solicitation

2005-15 County Commissioner
Proceeds from calendar sales featuring county officers may only be used for charitable purposes

2007-01 Association of Hunter Education Instructors
 May solicit donations to support hunter safety education program and program for hunters with disabilities 
  Law enforcement personnel may not solicit for charity while on duty and in uniform [NOTE: Overrules AO 2004-07] 
  Prohibits issuance of window decals or bumper stickers to donors

2010-01  Elected member of the Board of Public Works
May solicit donations to underwrite the costs of a national conference and use the funds for meals and breaks, and certain social events, excluding golf.
May acknowledge sponsors, but may not attribute an event to a single sponsor; may not indicate amount any sponsor donates.
Use of funds Legislature appropriated to pay for attendees' meals does not constitute use of office for private gain.
Opinion limited to Elected Members of the Legislature of Elected Members of the Board of Public Works who are soliciting for national or regional conferences in accordance with W. Va. Code §§ 6B-2-5(c)(6) and 6B-2-5(c)(7).

2010-17  State Agency  (non-precedential)
May solicit funds for itself, pursuant to its enabling legislation, without violating the Ethics Act. (non-precedential)
May use public resources, including public employees, pursuant to its enabling legislation, to solicit funds for itself, without violating the Ethics act. (non-precedential)
May not use public resources, including public employees, to solicit funds for its related private, non-profit organizations.  Implementation delayed until July1, 2011 (non-precedential)

2010-19 - Elected Public Official 
May not use public funds to purchase funeral flowers or other expressions of sympathy, including  monetary donations.
May not solicit subordinate employees for a contribution towards the purchase of flowers or payment into an established office fund.
May take up a voluntary donation among co-workers, under certain conditions.

2010-23 County Board of Education 
May not use public resources, including personnel, to promote the passage of an excess levy wherein school personnel are the primary beneficiaries.
County Superintendent, as the appointed voice of the County BOE, may advocate for passage of any excess levy.
County Superintendent’s advocacy for passage of an excess levy constitutes the performance of usual and customary duties associated with the position permitted by the Ethics Act

2011-11 State Agency 
May accept funds for its Recreation Department, pursuant to its enabling legislation.
May solicit funds for its Recreation Department, under certain conditions:  solicitation must benefit residents, not public servants; may not endorse a donor business; must comply with Legislative Rule if soliciting vendors; may not solicit a subordinate or Agency client; and may not use Agency clients to solicit.

2012-08 Municipal Police Department
Ethics Act prohibits the solicitation of donations to purchase a police canine and gun racks for police cars.
Ethics Act permits Department to accept the unsolicited contribution of funds to purchase a police canine and gun racks for police cars.

2012-43 Local Health Department
• May serve as pass-through for grant from private charitable foundation for benefit of two private entities that focus on health when Department derives no financial benefit in serving as pass-through and no employee or member of Department or business with which he or she is associated is party to or has an interest in profits or benefits of grant agreement or any other related contract.
• Serving as pass-through constitutes performance of usual and customary duties associated with office.




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HIGHER EDUCATION               back to top

2010-05 Public Employees / Higher Ed
Agency's decision to allocate more than $25 to recognize one or more employees, in lieu of expending up to $25 per employee per fiscal year, does not violate the Ethics Act so long as the expenditure on any one employee does not exceed $100, and the total amount expended for this purpose during the fiscal year does not exceed the sum total of $25 per employee. 

2011-05 University President
May spend public funds to pay membership dues for the President, but not the President’s spouse, to join the local Rotary club.
Public funds may only be spent for President’s membership dues (and one-time new member fee), not on meals or any other cost or fee associated with Rotary membership, such as contributions to a related philanthropic organization. 
Ethics Act does not prohibit the University Foundation—a separate, non-government entity—from paying for the spouse’s membership in Rotary and/or for paying for meals associated with Rotary meetings or functions for the President and/or the President’s spouse.
Higher Education exemption available only when the activity has been approved as part of the employment contract.

2012-20 Public University  
May use public funds to purchase prizes or incentives, including gift cards, for wellness related competitions or promotions when prize recipients include University employees.
$25.00 gift limit not applicable because wellness program administrators are not interested parties to recipients.
May use reasonable amount of public funds for wellness-related incentives so long as there is a rational basis for such expenditure.

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LOBBYING                 back to top

2005-08 Registered Lobbyist
2005 amendments to Act require multiple employees of lobbying firm to pay additional $100 filing fee for each client they represent

2005-21 Private Company
Employees whose regular duties involve sales may participate in a “Day at the Capitol” without registering as lobbyists

2007-12 Non-Profit Corporation
  Inviting all Legislators to a charitable fund raising event during regular Legislative session triggers lobbyist registration requirement
  Host organization may provide free tickets to Legislators for reception where food and beverages are served even if ticket price exceeds $25
  Businesses who contribute to event not required to report contributions

2008-06 City Manager
May not accept free golf from vendor, consultant or other interested person in conjunction with annual association conference of public employees
Gift limitation applies even if funds from event go to charitable cause
Authorizes "buy down" which reduces gift to $25 limit

2010-07 Registered Lobbyist
Must register as lobbyist for entity even if she lobbies for free since she is already a registered lobbyist for another entity, therefore she must identify both her paying and non-paying clients.

2011-04 Per Diem Legislative Attorney  
Per Diem Legislative Attorney, who is not, on July 1, 2011, a Legislative employee as defined by the internal Revenue Service, is not subject to the newly enacted revolving door prohibition. Independent contractors are not covered by the Ethics Act.

2011-19 - A State Licensing Board
May spend public funds to hire registered lobbyist, to serve as a Legislative liaison.
Registered lobbyist retained by public agency as Legislative liaison must register as a lobbyist
Revolving door prohibition does not apply to contract employee/former executive director who terminated employment before July 1, 2011 cut-off date.

2012-17 Presiding Officer of a house of West Virginia Legislature
May not be retained to provide legal services to an Association which is actively engaged in lobbying Legislature on behalf of its members who are public employees.
Proposed employment contract presents an inescapable conflict, given the unique position held and power wielded by the presiding officer.
Access to confidential information may have chilling effect on other legislators, if proposed employment contract permitted.
Public may perceive that Association has hired him because of his unique ability to influence legislation. 
Other Associations that do not employee a high ranking member of the Legislature may believe that they are at a disadvantage in the legislative process. 
Opinion limited to Presiding Officers of houses of West Virginia Legislature.

2012-18 Registered Lobbyist
Not required to register as lobbyist on behalf of client who retained her to provide advice on State procurement process and to serve as a liaison to a State Agency during client’s efforts to successfully bid on State contract.
Statutory definition of “lobbying” excludes procurement lobbying.
Required to register only if she communicates with State Officials or Members of the Legislature in regard to the passage or defeat of Legislation or Rules on client’s behalf

2012-25  State Employee 
•May represent clients before his former agency upon his departure from government without waiting one year.
 •Not an “appointed public official” so one year limitation does not apply because:
    »position not created by law
    »no oath of office
    »neither full-time staff attorney nor accountant
•May not represent clients in matters in which he was substantially involved. 
•May not use or reveal confidential information.
•May register as lobbyist upon his departure from government without waiting one year since he is not under direct supervision of Member of Executive Department.

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NEPOTISM      back to top


2007-07 Mayor
Appointment of Mayor’s son as City Attorney would create “inescapable” conflict of interest

2012-03 County Agency
Ethics Act does not prohibit County Agency from employing Supervisor’s son, even though they live in the same house, so long as the Supervisor is completely removed from the hiring process.
Ethics Act does not prohibit County Agency from employing Supervisor’s son even though they live in the same house.
Supervisor employed by County Agency is not a county officer and therefore is not subject to provisions of W. Va. Code § 61-10-15.
General rule:  Public servant should not supervise a relative. 
Supervisor employed by County Agency may supervise son on emergency calls and while in the field.

2012-24 Mayor
May reside with father who is employed by City.
May not exercise supervisory control over his father/city employee.
May not conduct his father’s evaluations, set his schedule, authorize overtime, or approve father’s direct supervisor’s recommendations which directly affect the terms and conditions of his father’s employment.
Must recuse himself from personnel matters which uniquely affect his father as opposed to matters affecting his father as a class of five or more similarly situated employees.
May participate in collective bargaining agreement negotiations with union of City employees of which father is a member.
Must recuse himself from the negotiation of any provision in collective bargaining agreement which uniquely affects his father, but may vote on the collective bargaining agreement in its entirety.

AO 2013-01  Mayor
• City may employ mayor’s daughter, subject to limitations.
• Governing body must advertise all positions in which member of body knows in advance that family member is interested therein.
• Affected member must recuse him/herself from all decisions regarding candidates, including: deciding whether position needs to be filled; writing job description or establishing job requirements; reviewing applications or resumes; interviewing applicants; ranking applicants; and participating in decision-making process.
• If relative is hired, affected member must be completely recused from all personnel matters related to that relative, including without limitation: salary, raises, promotion, discipline, termination or lay-offs, unless that relative is member of class of five or more.
• For recusal to be proper, official shall disclose her/his conflict of interest and leave room during discussion, deliberation and vote thereon. Meeting minutes shall reflect official’s recusal.
• May not: 
       o informally attempt to influence official action on behalf of relative; 
       o “lobby” fellow members of governing body to take favorable action on relative’s behalf; or 
       o attempt to influence relative’s supervisor to take favorable action.
• May not supervise any relative or relative’s supervisor.





PERSONS COVERED BY THE ACT             back to top

2005-09 County School Superintendent
School Superintendent’s service on Board of Directors of private organization does not subject organization to Ethics Act jurisdiction

2010-09  County Rescue Service
Members and employees of a nonprofit corporation which is not a public entity are not covered by the Act, even though three of the seven members are appointed by the county commission, the corporation is funded by county ambulance fees, and the county commission reviews and approves its budget.

2011-04 Per Diem Legislative Attorney  
Per Diem Legislative Attorney, who is not, on July 1, 2011, a Legislative employee as defined by the internal Revenue Service, is not subject to the newly enacted revolving door prohibition.
Independent contractors are not covered by the Ethics Act.

2012-21 Local Health Department
Any person or public entity subject to the Ethics Act may seek advisory opinion about their own prospective conduct. 
Public servant members of non-profit entity that oversees and distributes federal grants to their employers must recuse themselves from considering, evaluating, discussing, ranking, and/or overseeing funding decisions, including the funding matrix.
Possibly permissible for non-profit organization to handle funding allocation matters if:
    .the non-profit entity and its board are truly independent of the State of West Virginia and the local health departments; 
    .as a matter of law, the state agency has clear legal authority to give this funding authority to the non-profit entity generally;
    .the state agency has legal authority to delegate a portion of its executive powers to a non-profit organization; and 
    .the relevant federal grant guidelines expressly permit this delegation of authority to the non-profit entity.

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PRIVATE GAIN             back to top

2005-10 State Division Director
Division Director in agency which regulates motor vehicle dealers may not appear in commercials advertising automobile dealer even though his division does not regulate dealers

2005-16 County Health Department Employee
May reference professional certification which employer paid for in advertising for private consulting business

2006-13 County Commissioner
Use of county resources to provide shuttle services for a private picnic is not permitted

2006-14 State Board Members 
  May not conduct training programs for third-parties regulated by their Board without a written waiver from the Ethics Commission 
  Exec Dir may grant temporary waiver which must be ratified by Commission

2006-17 County School Teacher
Teacher who directs Show Choir may not sell music compositions to be performed by choir he directs

2008-05 County Parks & Recreation Commission
May authorize employees to play golf for free under certain conditions

2008-07 Town Council
May authorize employees to use town swimming pool for free as fringe benefit of employment

2008-09 Public University
May give discount to faculty and staff on bookstore purchases
[notes: partially overrules AO 2001-21 only applies to higher education institutions

2009-02 Elected County Officials
County Funded Employee Wellness Program may not be extended to elected county officials whose compensation is set by statue( § 7-5-20)
To increase compensation (through the extension of benefits) beyond statutory maximum constitutes use of office for private gain.

2009-03 County Employees
May be reimbursed for government calls placed on personal cell phone 

2009-07  County Commissioner
  County Commissioner, a private attorney, may prepare wills, but must fully recuse himself from County Commission's probate therof;
  County Commissioner may not appear in a representative capacity in any probate proceeding before the County Commission, even if uncontested;
  County Commissioner may testify as witness to will's validity before County Commission but must recuse himself from decision-making on any such will.

2009-08  Board of Directors of State Agency
Board members associated with entities which may have financial interest in Agency's contracts may not serve on subcommittee which reviews and recommends funding proposals.
Board members associated with entities which may have financial interest in Agency's contracts may continue to serve on Board, but must recuse themselves from discussion, deliberation and decision-making on matters related to those entities with which they are associated.

2009-09 State Employee
It would violate the Ethics Act for certain State Agency employees to accept a lower lodging rate from a resort which the State Agency regulates.

2009-10  State Employee
A State employee whose employer has accreditation oversight of institutions of higher education may be compensated for teaching a course at a public university so long as he
  Notifies his supervisor;
  Has his work relating to the accreditation of the public universityas part of his doctoral program reviewed by his supervisor and his employing Agency's Review Board;
  Prepares for and teaches the course on his own time;
  Does not use any public resources

2009-12  Elected Member, Board of Public Works
Payroll deductions to purchase products does not consitute use of office for private gain since all businesses have equal opportunity to participate.
Neither state official nor his office may endorse any product offered through payroll deduction.

2010-01  Elected member of the Board of Public Works
May solicit donations to underwrite the costs of a national conference and use the funds for meals and breaks, and certain social events, excluding golf.
May acknowledge sponsors, but may not attribute an event to a single sponsor; may not indicate amount any sponsor donates.
Use of funds Legislature appropriated to apy for attendees' meals does not constitute use of office for private gain.
Opinion limited to Elected Members of the Legislature of Elected Members of the Board of Public Works who are soliciting for national or regional conferences in accordance with W. Va. Code §§ 6B-2-5(c)(6) and 6B-2-5(c)(7).

2010-02  Attorney for City
City may participate in a vendor's program to provide discount to city employees for personal cell phone use.

2010-03 County Board of Education Candidate
Spouse of county BOE member may be employed as Chief mechanic, a service position that meets exception in § 61-10-15.
May not use position to obtain, increase or promote the interests of spouse as a BOE employee.

2010-04 County Board of Education Member
Board may contract with a private non-profit when one of the Board of Education members sits on the Board of the non-profit so long as the common Board member does not vote on any matters relating to the non-profit and recuses himself from the decision-making process and vote.  (This portion overruled by AO 2011-12; common Board member is no longer required to recuse himself, and may vote.)

2010-05  Public Employees / Higher Ed
Agency's decision to allocate more than $25 to recognize one or more employees, in lieu of expending up to $25 per employee per fiscal year, does not violate the Ethics Act so long as the expenditure on any one employee does not exceed $100, and the total amount expended for this purpose during the fiscal year does not exceed the sum total of $25 per employee. 
 
2010-08  City Elected Officials
Public official may not vote to extend his or her own current term beyond that statutorily or constitutionally prescribed - to do so would be use of office for private gain.

2010-10  Board of Directors of a County Authority
Ethics Act does not prohibit part time appointed officials from bidding at auction on items sold by Board on which they serve, so long as they recuse themselves from all related matters; but § 61-10-15 prohibits part time appointed officials from bidding at auction on items sold by Board on which they serve.

2010-11  State Legislator
May not accept two free airline tickets won in a random drawing at a public reception hosted by a State Agency for which the Legislature provides funds.
Prohibition against use of office for private gain applies to expenditures by public entities.

2010-13  County Board of Education Member
 Spouse of County BOE member may be employed as auditor in Central Office, a service position that meets exception in § 61-10-15.
May not use position to obtain, increase or promote the interests of spouse as a BOE employee.
May not vote on matters specific to his wife including raise, renewal of employment contract, or discipline.
May vote on overall budget, but must recuse himself if line item affects wife or all four auditors if BOE specifically addresses any such line item .

2010-14  County Board of Education Member
County BOE may not contract with Member’s fast food restaurant to provide food for special events
County schools and/or school sports teams may not contract with County BOE Member’s fast food restaurant to provide food for school sports teams using school funds
County BOE Member’s fast food restaurant may not sponsor fundraisers on behalf of school teams
County BOE Member’s fast food restaurant may, under certain conditions, sponsor fundraisers on behalf of booster organizations
County BOE Member’s fast food restaurant may, under certain conditions, sell food to credit union even though BOE provides office space to credit union

2010-15    County Board of Education Member
County BOE Member may not be paid to officiate as a sports official in his own county
County BOE Member may volunteer as a referee and receive $1 to obtain insurance coverage

2010-16  County Board of Education Member
County BOE Member may contract with State Department of Education for online teaching even though some teachers from her county may participate.
Subject contract with State, not County BOE, and thus Member lacks control over contract
County BOE Member lacks control over County BOE’s reimbursement of county teachers’ expenses incurred in taking Member’s online course .

2010-17  State Agency  (non-precedential)
May solicit funds for itself, pursuant to its enabling legislation, without violating the Ethics Act. (non-precedential)
May use public resources, including public employees, pursuant to its enabling legislation, to solicit funds for itself, without violating the Ethics act. (non-precedential)
May not use public resources, including public employees, to solicit funds for its related private, non-profit organizations.  Implementation delayed until July1, 2011 (non-precedential)

2010-18 City Council
May use public funds to purchase Sam's Club cards for the City's use.
May not use public funds to purchase Sam's Club cards for the personal use of its employees or their family members.
City officials and employees may not use the City's card to gain admission to the Sam's club and/or to make personal purchases.

2010-19 - Elected Public Official
May not use public funds to purchase funeral flowers or other expressions of sympathy, including monetary donations.  
May not solicit subordinate employees for a contribution towards the purchase of flowers or payment into an established office fund.
May take up a voluntary donation among co-workers, under certain conditions.

2011-01 County Council Member
County Council Member’s business may appraise estates so long she recuses herself from any matters coming before the County Council involving the probate of any estate her business has appraised.County Council Member’s business may not appraise any estates over which the Sheriff has been appointed by the County Council as the administrator.  County Council Member’s business should be removed from the Fiduciary Supervisor’s list of available appraisers.
County Council Member may not appear, as a representative or witness, before the Council, either about the appraised value, or the amount of her compensation.
County Council Member may not accept protected persons from the Sheriff for placement in her nursing home, absent a contract exemption for the Sheriff. 

2011-05 University President
May spend public funds to pay membership dues for the President, but not the President’s spouse, to join the local Rotary club.
....Public funds may only be spent for President’s membership dues (and one-time new member fee), not on meals or any other cost or fee associated with Rotary membership, such as contributions to a related philanthropic organization. 
....Ethics Act does not prohibit the University Foundation—a separate, non-government entity—from paying for the spouse’s membership in Rotary and/or for paying for meals associated with Rotary meetings or functions for the President and/or the President’s spouse.
.....Higher Education exemption available only when the activity has been approved as part of the employment contract.

2011-06 County Public Service District Member  (non-precedential)
An appointed board member, who in his private capacity has participated in other rate cases related to a particular utility company, may not participate in the PSD’s deliberations and actions related to the PSD’s role in the West Virginia Public Service Commission’s investigation of that utility company.
Although not expressly prohibited by the voting provision of the Ethics Act since he is a member of a class of five or more, the member’s membership in the Home Owners Association, as well as his representative advocacy on its behalf, constitute a personal interest.
There could be an appearance that the member is using the PSD to bring suit in the District’s name for his personal benefit, thus constituting the prohibited use of public office for private gain.

2011-08 Part-Time Prosecuting Attorney
Part-Time Prosecuting Attorneys may continue to use office space in their respective county courthouses for their private law practices without reimbursing the County for the pro-rata rental value thereof.
Part-Time Prosecuting Attorneys may continue to use public resources, including office equipment and staff in their respective county courthouses for their private law practices, but must reimburse the County for the pro-rata rental value thereof, or make direct payment for such equipment and/or services.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys may not use courthouse office space, equipment, supplies or staff for their private law practices.

Overrules AOs 89-15, 89-27 and 91-61.

2011-09 County Hospital 
County Hospital may accept unsolicited offer of equipment and related services from appointed board member.
County Hospital may accept unsolicited offer of real property from appointed board member so long as:  there are no financial conditions associated with the property transfer; and the body notifies the public of the member’s offer and allows other property owners to offer their property.
County Hospital may accept unsolicited offer of real property from appointed board member even if there are unresolved issues requiring mitigation (e.g. environmental hazards, or outstanding liens), but only if an independent evaluation determines that the overriding benefit is to the governing body rather than the donor and it receives permission from the Ethics Commission.
Modifies AO 95-09 by clarifying that the donation (as opposed to the leasing) of property does not constitute a public contract.

2011-10 County Board of Education (BOE)
Spouse of county BOE Superintendent may not be employed as Director of Student Services, a prohibited administrative position under W. Va. Code § 61-10-15.
Spouse of county BOE Superintendent may be employed as School Psychologist, a position that meets the exception in W. Va. Code § 61-10-15.
Spouse of county BOE Superintendent may be continue to be physically located in the central office without violating W. Va. Code § 61-10-15.  The nature of the work performed, not location, is outcome determinative.
Superintendent may not use position to obtain, increase or promote the interests of spouse as a BOE employee.

2011-11 State Agency
May accept funds for its Recreation Department, pursuant to its enabling legislation.
May solicit funds for its Recreation Department, under certain conditions:  solicitation must benefit residents, not public servants; may not endorse a donor business; must comply with Legislative Rule if soliciting vendors; may not solicit a subordinate or Agency client; and may not use Agency clients to solicit.

2011-12 Town Attorney
Town’s elected officials may vote to appropriate funds to a non-profit organization on which they and/or their family members serve as uncompensated board members and/or officers.

Overrules portion of AO 2010-04 wherein member of a non-profit board was prohibited from voting as a member of the Board of Education.

2011-13 State Agency
Public funds may not be spent to pay for health club or gym fees for public servants when the hotel does not provide free exercise facilities to lodgers.
Public servants who receive an expense-paid trip to participate in a conference may not accept payment or reimbursement for health club or gym fees, when the hotel does not provide free exercise facilities to lodgers, and the total value of the fees exceeds $25. 
Public servants who participate in a conference or event as a panelist or speaker may not accept payment or reimbursement for health club or gym fees when the hotel does not provide free exercise facilities to lodgers.

2011-14  Candidate for County Assessor
May not continue career as owner and broker of real estate business within county where he will serve, if elected.
May continue career as owner and broker of real estate business in other counties so long as he does not: use his official position in any way that would give him an advantage; conduct his business on county time; or use county resources (including staff) to conduct his private real estate business.

2011-17 - State Licensing Board
Executive Directors and Members of the Board may be members of professional associations consisting of licensees which the Boards regulate.
Members may be officers of professional associations consisting of licensees which the Boards regulate, with limitations.
Executive Director may not be an officer of or employed by a professional association consisting of licensees which the Board regulates.

2011-18 - Industry representatives on the governing council of a State Agency
May not serve on the initial review panel for grant applications.
May not serve on the comittee to draft legislative rules relating to the award of grants.
May participate as a member of council, and vote on approval of recommended grant application absent a prohibited interest necessitating recusal.
May participate as a member of council, and vote on draft legislative rules relating to the award of grants absent a prohibited interest necessitating recusal.

2011-19 - A State Licensing Board
May spend public funds to hire registered lobbyist, to serve as a Legislative liaison.
Registered lobbyist retained by public agency as Legislative liaison must register as a lobbyist
Revolving door prohibition does not apply to contract employee/former executive director who terminated employment before July 1, 2011 cut-off date.

2011-20  An Elected County Commissioner
May purchase tax liens at a Sheriff's sale or through the State Auditor's Office, or both, when County Commission had no direct involvement in the assessment of the property.
May not purchase a tax lien on property for which the owner requested adjustment of assessed value or other relief from County Commission sitting as the board of equalization and review.

2011-21  A City
May adopt ordinance or change charter to compensate Mayor at flat rate of pay for extra duties not statutorily required of the mayor; provided, that, the change becomes effective for the next term of office.

2011-22 State Agency employee

Ethics Act does not prohibit employee of State agency from serving on board of non-profit organization that State agency funds

2012-01 Mayor
Ethics Act does not prohibit city employed building inspector from serving on City Council, but he must perform his Council duties on his own time, not during his public work hours.  Ethics Act does not prohibit a building inspector/city employee from serving on City Council.
City council member employed by city may not vote on a personnel matter which affects him directly as opposed to affecting five or more employees in the same or similar manner. 
City employed building inspector serving on City Council must recuse himself when citizens who are affected by his official actions come before City Council to address or dispute his official actions.

2012-02 County Commissioner
Ethics Act does not prohibit County from purchasing property from real estate business with which a County Commissioner is associated, with limitations:  Commissioner may not use his position to influence purchase of the property; specifically, he may not communicate with fellow County Commissioners, or Members or staff of the Building Commission, on matters relating to the property.  
No prohibited financial interest where neither Commissioner nor his immediate family members have ownership interest in property County Commission seeks to purchase from real estate business with which he is associated.   
No prohibited financial interest where Commissioner is not: a director or officer; the listing agent for the property; or, entitled to receive any commission from the sale of the property.
County Commissioner associated with real estate business selling property to County meets statutory exemption so long as he recuses himself.  (See Voting)
County Commissioner associated with real estate business selling property to County must recuse himself from all matters related thereto.

2012-03 County Agency
Ethics Act does not prohibit County Agency from employing Supervisor’s son, even though they live in the same house, so long as the Supervisor is completely removed from the hiring process.
Ethics Act does not prohibit County Agency from employing Supervisor’s son even though they live in the same house.
Supervisor employed by County Agency is not a county officer and therefore is not subject to provisions of W. Va. Code § 61-10-15.
General rule:  Public servant should not supervise a relative. 
Supervisor employed by County Agency may supervise son on emergency calls and while in the field.

2012-04 Attorney for Municipal Water Board
General Rule:  Ethics Act does not prohibit Chairperson of Municipal Water Board from being employed by Board after resigning as Chairperson. 
Job description so narrowly tailored that only Board’s Chairperson qualifies fails to satisfy requirements of nepotism guidelines.
When a public body knows in advance that one of its preferred candidates is a relative, close friend, or fellow member of the public body, public body must follow the Commission’s nepotism guidelines.

2012-06 Elected Member of the Board of Public Works  
Public official may not endorse business or product of the sponsor of an international government forum that is paying travel expenses related to forum.
Must notify forum participants that the West Virginia Ethics Act prohibits him from endorsing a particular product and that presentation relating to fraud control should not be construed as endorsement of the sponsor’s business or product.
Appearance at international government forum paid for by business which has financial relationship with State provides benefit to West Virginia by allowing State to be recognized for achievements in fraud control and allowing first-hand observation of Australian state governments’ approach to financial management and procurement. 
Must decline invitation to participate in proposed meetings with senior level government officials because these meetings do not provide an overriding benefit to the State of West Virginia.

2012-07  Mayor
may not use public resources for the benefit of his private business;
may not use subordinate staff to perform work associated with his private business while the subordinates are on the government time clock;
may not solicit private business from subordinates;
may not distribute promotional materials concerning his private business from his office and/or in City/Town Hall;
may not have an interest in a public contract, with certain exceptions;
must recuse himself when a current customer appears before Council; and
must recuse himself from: drafting bid specifications or requests for proposals;
recommending selection of the vendor; and/or
approving the method or manner of payment to the vendor; and
when serving as municipal judge, must:
if customer within past six months appears, disclose the fact thereof and recuse himself if either party requests; and
recuse himself from cases involving customers within the past six months.

2012-11 County Commissioner
Ethics Act permits living with county employee so long as nepotism rules followed.
W. Va. Code § 61-10-15 prohibits living with county employee even if nepotism rules followed and/or even if employee transferred to another county office.

2012-12  Local Board of Health
Board of Health’s part-time appointed Health Officer may accept patient referrals from the Health Department so long as s/he does not make, participate in making, or in any way attempt to use his or her office or employment to influence a government decision affecting his or her financial or limited financial interest.
Full-time health officer may not contract with own Board of Health unless Board seeks and receives advice or a contract exemption from Ethics Commission.
Local Board of Health formed by a county and a municipality not subject to strict provisions of § 61-10-15.
County Boards of Health are subject to strict provisions of § 61-10-15; their health officers (part time and full-time) may not contract with own Board of Health unless Board seeks and receives advice or a contract exemption from Ethics Commission.

2012-13 Member of a County Board of Education (BOE)
May contract with a public university to supervise university students during their placement in public schools in the county where he serves so long as he does not use any public resources, including BOE staff, to perform his private contractual duties. 
Agreement between public university and BOE not a public contract.

2012-15 Sheriff
May use use his public title to endorse Chief Deputy or other candidate for public office, including including through newspaper advertisements or radio announcements. 
May not spend public funds for these purposes.  

 2012-16  County Commission
Prohibited from purchasing private property from appointed member of County Building Commission.
Purchase of property from appointed member creates impermissible conflict and a prohibited interest in a public contract.
May seek Contract Exemption if it believes the property is only viable option. 

2012-17 Presiding Officer of a house of West Virginia Legislature
May not be retained to provide legal services to an Association which is actively engaged in lobbying Legislature on behalf of its members who are public employees.
Proposed employment contract presents an inescapable conflict, given the unique position held and power wielded by the presiding officer.
Access to confidential information may have chilling effect on other legislators, if proposed employment contract permitted.
Public may perceive that Association has hired him because of his unique ability to influence legislation. 
Other Associations that do not employee a high ranking member of the Legislature may believe that they are at a disadvantage in the legislative process. 
Opinion limited to Presiding Officers of houses of West Virginia Legislature.

2012-19 Member of the Legislature
May be retained to provide consulting services to Public University during and after his term of office.
Conflict of interest cured by his removal from potentially overlapping committees.
Must consult with Presiding Officer of his house and abide by appropriate legislative voting rule.
May not use influence of legislative position to attempt to affect the actions of University personnel to enhance his contractual benefits; introduce, sponsor or advocate legislation to benefit the University in any way; influence either the State’s distribution of federal grant money or State funds to the University for any purpose, not just those related to his consulting contract; or influence the appropriation of public funds to benefit the University in any way.

2012-20 Public University  
May use public funds to purchase prizes or incentives, including gift cards, for wellness related competitions or promotions when prize recipients include University employees.
$25.00 gift limit not applicable because wellness program administrators are not interested parties to recipients.
May use reasonable amount of public funds for wellness-related incentives so long as there is a rational basis for such expenditure.

2012-21 Local Health Department
Any person or public entity subject to the Ethics Act may seek advisory opinion about their own prospective conduct. 
Public servant members of non-profit entity that oversees and distributes federal grants to their employers must recuse themselves from considering, evaluating, discussing, ranking, and/or overseeing funding decisions, including the funding matrix. 
Possibly permissible for non-profit organization to handle funding allocation matters if:
    .the non-profit entity and its board are truly independent of the State of West Virginia and the local health departments; 
    .as a matter of law, the state agency has clear legal authority to give this funding authority to the non-profit entity generally;
    .the state agency has legal authority to delegate a portion of its executive powers to a non-profit organization; and     
    .the relevant federal grant guidelines expressly permit this delegation of authority to the non-profit entity.

2012-22 Ambulance Authority  
•May not use public funds or staff to promote passage of levy when levy proceeds will be used for its employees’ salaries.
•Executive Director or Board Members, or both, may publicly speak in favor of levy.
•May use public funds to educate public about levy process, nature of services provided by agency, and purpose for which levy funds will be used.
•May, in advertisements paid for with public funds, encourage public to vote on issue, but may not advocate for passage of levy.
•Neither Executive Director nor Board Members may require nor pressure employees to support levy.
•Employees must perform volunteer campaign activities, if any, on their own time, not during their public work hours.
•May not solicit monetary support for passage of levy.
•May use unsolicited gift to promote passage of levy under these conditions:
    »expenditures shall either avoid reference to agency taking position; or
    »state that request for support is made by supporters of Authority and levy.

2012-23 Member of the Legislature 
• May serve as Recorder for municipality; limitations apply.
• May not use legislative position to influence appropriation of monies to municipality.
• Must perform statutorily mandated recorder duties while serving in the legislature in order to lawfully receive compensation.
• Commission has no jurisdiction to rule whether member’s service as recorder is constitutional or the applicability of the common law doctrine of incompatibility.

2012-24 Mayor
May reside with father who is employed by City.
May not exercise supervisory control over his father/city employee.
May not conduct his father’s evaluations, set his schedule, authorize overtime, or approve father’s direct supervisor’s recommendations which directly affect the terms and conditions of his father’s employment.
Must recuse himself from personnel matters which uniquely affect his father as opposed to matters affecting his father as a class of five or more similarly situated employees.
May participate in collective bargaining agreement negotiations with union of City employees of which father is a member.
Must recuse himself from the negotiation of any provision in collective bargaining agreement which uniquely affects his father, but may vote on the collective bargaining agreement in its entirety.

2012-27 State Licensing Board  
May provide working meal to members and any staff required to be present at Board meeting as part of their job duties.
May spend reasonable amount of public funds for meals at meetings when meeting takes place at a time or is of such length that it makes the same reasonable.
May not recess or adjourn meeting to go to an off-site location to consume a meal paid for with public funds.  A meeting should not be scheduled at private locations unless those locations are in a public area fully accessible to the public at no cost.
May not order lavish meals; instead, it must exercise fiscal responsibility in expending public funds on meals.
Must base decision to purchase meal upon a legitimate government reason.
Must determine whether funds are available to cover this expenditure.
Should check with Auditor’s Office to ensure expenditures does not run afoul of laws or regulations governing authorized expenditures.

*** This opinion does not extend to local governmental officials and agencies, e.g. City Council Members, County Commissioners or other local agencies.

2012-29 County Emergency Services Director
May not be compensated for performing duties of managing federal grant when those duties are the usual and customary duties associated with County Emergency Services Director.
May not privately contract with County to manage a federal grant given to County for mitigation projects, when Requester’s duties as County Emergency  Services Director gives him direct authority and control over private contract with County.

2012-30 County Emergency Services Director
May privately contract with Municipality within County to manage federal grant for mitigation projects when Municipality does not fall under County’s floodplain jurisdiction.
Does not have direct authority voice, influence, or control over Municipality’s decision relating to grant money, and the expenditure thereof.
Must notify County Commission of contractual arrangement with Municipality; to obtain approval; and abide by any restrictions that County Commission imposes.

2012-31 Circuit Clerk
May not recommend or allow letter of support for a product, service or business of an interested person absent an overriding public benefit.May be listed on vendor’s promotional materials solely as a previous customer.  Any language that tends to refer to public servant or entity as a “satisfied customer” or otherwise serves to promote or endorse vendor expressly prohibited.
May not appear in advertisement for a product, service, or business absent an overriding public benefit.

2012-32 State Legislator and County BOE Bus Operator
May contract with Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) provided he: does not use his public position to obtain unfair advantage in securing contract; does not use his public position to gain unfair advantage for the RESA by which he is employed; and does not get paid during Legislative Session if he does not perform his contractual duties.
May contract with RESA as Bus Operator exercises no control over contract.
Must perform RESA duties on his own time; not during BOE work hours. 
May be required to file verified time records with Ethics Commission if RESA duties performed during regularly scheduled BOE work hours.

2012-33 Public University Vice-President
May serve as member of Board of Directors of non-profit organization, so long as he is able to perform his public duties for which he is compensated.
Service on Board of Directors of non-profit organization constitutes performance of usual and customary duties associated with position or advancement of public policy.

2012-34 Public Agency
May permit employee who was involuntarily denied boarding from a flight while in travel status to accept compensation from airline.

2012-37 Mayor
$100/year compensation for serving on City Council de minimis
Appointment to position on Council not a public contract
May vote for candidate to fill vacancy on Council who is a customer of her husband

2012-38 Part-time Appointed Member of a Review Commission
May provide referral list of names of companies and individuals as prospective buyers to owners of distressed properties appearing before Review Commission.
May, if Review Commission unable to assist in facilitating sale of distressed property (despite providing list of prospective buyers), as part-time appointed public official, purchase property from interested person subject to the foloowing limitations:
    . may not use confidential information acquired in course of official duties to further own personal interests or the interests of another person; and
    . must recuse self from all matters relating to subject property.

2012-39  County Commissioner
May vote and participate in matters relating to Prosecuting Attorney's office even though he owns a business with County Prosecuting Attorney.  Lacks prohibited financialinterest in the operation of the Prosecutor's Office since Prosecutor's salary set by statute.

2012-40 Assistant Superintendent
Has Voice, influence or control over spouse's subcontract with company that provides services to county school system, therefore contract prohibited.

2012-41 County Board of Health
Licensed septic tank cleaner may serve on County Board of Health.  Application to County Board of Health for tri-annual license does not constitute appearing before agency on which he serves for purposes of contesting issuance of license or permit.

2012-42 Conservation District
• May award $500 scholarship per calendar year to District supervisor’s child so long as District supervisor recuses him/herself from all participation in selection of scholarship participants, leaves the room during discussion and decision-making period, and fully discloses his or her interests.
• District supervisor may not informally “lobby” or otherwise attempt to influence voting members of, or other decision-makers in, the government agency to select his/her child. 

2012-43 Local Health Department
• May serve as pass-through for grant from private charitable foundation for benefit of two private entities that focus on health when Department derives no financial benefit in serving as pass-through and no employee or member of Department or business with which he or she is associated is party to or has an interest in profits or benefits of grant agreement or any other related contract.
• Serving as pass-through constitutes performance of usual and customary duties associated with office. 

2012-44 State Agency
• May appropriate a de minimis amount of State resources ($1,500) to a related Association to provide matching funds to allow the Association to secure a grant.
• Executive Director of State Agency who serves on the Association’s Board at Agency’s request may be involved in advising Agency regarding distribution of money to Association because serving on Association’s Board is part of Director’s public job duties and Association’s mission is to assist other non-profit entities, not the Director’s public employer
• Chairperson of State Agency who serves on Association’s Board by virtue of his/her private employment with a large non-profit should recuse himself from voting on contributing money to Association.

2012-46 City Council Member
• May serve on City Council although Council Member’s law firm contracts with City.
• Does not have prohibited financial interest in contract between law firm since Council Member is employee of law firm, not owner or director.
• May not: (1) receive any commissions or remuneration as a result of contract between law firm and City; (2) work behind the scenes to steer business to law firm; or, (3) participate in deliberation or vote on matters relating to contract with his firm, e.g. approving invoices.
• Must excuse himself from participating in discussion and decision-making process by leaving room when item is being discussed or decided; fully disclosing his interests; and recusing himself from voting on the issue. Meeting minutes must reflect basis for recusal and that Council Member left room during all discussion and vote on item under consideration. 

AO 2012-45 County Attorney
• Has direct authority or control over County’s public contracts contemplated by W. Va. Code § 6B-2-5(d).
• Has “voice” and “influence” over all County contracts for purposes of W. Va. Code § 61-10-15.
• Position not “county office”, so not subject to W. Va. Code § 61-10-15.
• May not receive additional pay for serving as project coordinator for County Building Commission, absent a contract exemption.


AO 2012-53   County Board of Education
• Members do not have financial interest requiring recusal when:
o Three or more Members from same county attended same training,
o Superintendent (or designee) has reviewed and approved reimbursement of group travel expenses, and
o Meeting agenda specifically discloses that travel expense forms for the Members are being approved.
• When one or two Members attend training, recusal is required when Board considers their travel expense reimbursement requests.
• For recusal to be proper, official shall disclose her/his conflict of interest and leave room during discussion, deliberation and vote thereon. Meeting minutes shall reflect official’s recusal.
• Ethics Commission declined to establish bright line rule.


AO 2013-01  Mayor
• City may employ mayor’s daughter, subject to limitations.
• Governing body must advertise all positions in which member of body knows in advance that family member is interested therein.
• Affected member must recuse him/herself from all decisions regarding candidates, including: deciding whether position needs to be filled; writing job description or establishing job requirements; reviewing applications or resumes; interviewing applicants; ranking applicants; and participating in decision-making process.
• If relative is hired, affected member must be completely recused from all personnel matters related to that relative, including without limitation: salary, raises, promotion, discipline, termination or lay-offs, unless that relative is member of class of five or more.
• For recusal to be proper, official shall disclose her/his conflict of interest and leave room during discussion, deliberation and vote thereon. Meeting minutes shall reflect official’s recusal.
• May not: 
       o informally attempt to influence official action on behalf of relative; 
       o “lobby” fellow members of governing body to take favorable action on relative’s behalf; or 
       o attempt to influence relative’s supervisor to take favorable action.
• May not supervise any relative or relative’s supervisor.













PROPERTY PURCHASE RESTRICTIONS        back to top

2010-24 Board of Education
May purchase property owned, in part, by a Sheriff’s Chief Tax Deputy.
Chief Tax Deputy does not exercise control over BOE contracts.
Chief Tax Deputy not subject to § 61-10-15 since position is neither statutorily created nor does she take an oath of office.
May not purchase property owned, in part, by a part-time Assistant Prosecutor, absent contract exemption due to the prohibitions of West Virginia Code § 61-10-15.
Assistant Prosecutor exercises control over BOE contracts by providing legal representation.Assistant prosecutor meets the “part-time appointed public official” exception to the Ethics Act’s public contract limitation.
Assistant Prosecutor is a public official for purposes of § 61-10-15 since position is statutorily created and he takes an oath of office.
Assistant Prosecutor exercises voice, influence, or control over BOE contracts.

2012-38 Part-time Appointed Member of a Review Commission
May provide referral list of names of companies and individuals as prospective buyers to owners of distressed properties appearing before Review Commission.
May, if Review Commission unable to assist in facilitating sale of distressed property (despite providing list of prospective buyers), as part-time appointed public official, purchase property from interested person subject to the foloowing limitations:
    . may not use confidential information acquired in course of official duties to further own personal interests or the interests of another person; and
    . must recuse self from all matters relating to subject property.

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PUBLIC CONTRACTS             back to top

2007-03 County Assessor
Continued employment of Assessor’s fiancé' in Assessor’s Office following marriage to County Assessor would not violate (d) but would violate W. Va. Code § 61-10-15

2007-08 Public School Teacher
May enter into vending services contract with school system by which he is employed

2007-11 Municipal Utilities Commission Board Member
Commission may contract with company owned by part-time appointed Board Member to install water tank, provided Member is recused

2008-08 City Attorney
Conflict would arise from spouse's business contracting with city
Full-time City attorney is equivalent to a General Counsel or Prosecuting Attorney with inherent authority over municipal contracting.

2010-04 County Board of Education Member
Board may contract with a private non-profit when one of the Board of Education members sits on the Board of the non-profit so long as the common Board member does not vote on any matters relating to the non-profit and recuses himself from the decision-making process and vote.  (This portion overruled by AO 2011-12; common Board member is no longer required to recuse himself, and may vote.)

2010-06  Public Library
Ethics Act's prohibition against interest in public contract does not apply to part-time appointed official.
Board member whose law firm represents library may serve on the board, but must recuse himself from all matters related to the law firm's contract.
Board member of Public Library created by Special Act of the Legislature and joint venture of county and city entities not subject to § 61-10-15.

2008-10 County Commissioner
Contract between County Airport Authority and business owned by County Commissioner not subject to prohibition where Commissioner does not serve on Airport Authority (but see 61-10-15)

2009-08  Board of Directors of State Agency
Board members associated with entities which may have financial interest in Agency's contracts may not serve on subcommittee which reviews and recommends funding proposals.
Board members associated with entities which may have financial interest in Agency's contracts may continue to serve on Board, but must recuse themselves from discussion, deliberation and decision-making on matters related to those entities with which they are associated.

2009-11 Board of Education / Assistant Principal
Assistant Principal is subject to the prohibitions in § 61-10-15.
Assistant Principal has voice, influence, or control over subject Board of Education contract affecting his school by virtue of his responsibility to oversee all school activities at his school.
Board of Education may not contract with Assistant Principal's private business to provide after-school driver's education program to County students.

2010-03 County Board of Education Candidate 
Spouse of county BOE member may be employed as Chief mechanic, a service position that meets exception in § 61-10-15.
May not use position to obtain, increase or promote the interests of spouse as a BOE employee.

2010-04 County Board of Education Member
Board may contract with a private non-profit when one of the Board of Education members sits on the Board of the non-profit so long as the common Board member does not vote on any matters relating to the non-profit and recuses himself from the decision-making process and vote.  (This portion overruled by AO 2011-12; common Board member is no longer required to recuse himself, and may vote.)
May not use position to obtain, increase or promote the interests of spouse as a BOE employee.

2010-10  Board of Directors of a County Authority
Ethics Act does not prohibit part time appointed officials from bidding at auction on items sold by Board on which they serve, so long as they recuse themselves from all related matters; but § 61-10-15 prohibits part time appointed officials from bidding at auction on items sold by Board on which they serve.

2010-14  County Board of Education Member
Regarding sales to schools and booster clubs from his restaurant

2010-15    County Board of Education Member
County BOE Member may not be paid to officiate as a sports official in his own county
County BOE Member may volunteer as a referee and receive $1 to obtain insurance coverage

2010-16 County Board of Education Member
County BOE Member may contract with State Department of Education for online teaching even though some teachers from her county may participate.
Subject contract with State, not County BOE, and thus Member lacks control over contract
County BOE Member lacks control over County BOE’s reimbursement of county teachers’ expenses incurred in taking Member’s online course .

2010-20  Conservation Districts 
May not spend public funds (in excess of $1,000) to construct project on an Elected Board Member’s property, absent a contract exemption.
Public contract provision in Ethics Act contains no exception for part-time elected officials.
Not subject to the prohibitions of West Virginia Code § 61-10-15.

2010-21 - County Board of Education 
Ethics Act does not prohibit contract with a private club in which an Elected Board Member and Treasurer own less than five percent of the outstanding shares of stock.
May not contract with a private club in which an Elected Board Member, Treasurer and spouse of the Superintendent own stock, absent a contract exemption, due to the prohibitions of West Virginia Code § 61-10-15.
May not contract with a business with which public officials or their spouses serve as a director, pursuant to the Ethics Act.

2010-24  Board of Education  
May purchase property owned, in part, by a Sheriff’s Chief Tax Deputy.
Chief Tax Deputy does not exercise control over BOE contracts.
Chief Tax Deputy not subject to § 61-10-15 since position is neither statutorily created nor does she take an oath of office.
May not purchase property owned, in part, by a part-time Assistant Prosecutor, absent contract exemption due to the prohibitions of West Virginia Code § 61-10-15.
Assistant Prosecutor exercises control over BOE contracts by providing legal representation.
Assistant prosecutor meets the “part-time appointed public official” exception to the Ethics Act’s public contract limitation.
Assistant Prosecutor is a public official for purposes of § 61-10-15 since position is statutorily created and he takes an oath of office.
Assistant Prosecutor exercises voice, influence, or control over BOE contracts.

2011-01 County Council Member
County Council Member’s business may appraise estates so long she recuses herself from any matters coming before the County Council involving the probate of any estate her business has appraised.County Council Member’s business may not appraise any estates over which the Sheriff has been appointed by the County Council as the administrator.  County Council Member’s business should be removed from the Fiduciary Supervisor’s list of available appraisers.
County Council Member may not appear, as a representative or witness, before the Council, either about the appraised value, or the amount of her compensation.
County Council Member may not accept protected persons from the Sheriff for placement in her nursing home, absent a contract exemption for the Sheriff.

2011-02  County Council Member 
County Council Member’s business may contract with a multi-county Conservation District under the following circumstances:
 (1) the contract is let via a sealed bid process;
 (2) the project is not funded by County money;
 (3) the project is not the subject of an agreement between the District and the County including any agreement for flood control as authorized by W.Va. Code § 19-21A-13 ; and
 (4) the affected Member recuses himself from the District’s appropriation request or any request for funding. 

Opinion does not authorize the employment of County Commissioners or County Council Members, their spouses or dependents, by Conservation Districts in the County where they serve.

2011-03   County Hospital
County Hospital, whose members are appointed by the County Commission, may modify an existing contract with a city-owned hospital that employs a County Commissioner. 
....The County Commission does not have direct authority or control over the contract; neither the County Commission nor the County Hospital appoints the members of the city-owned hospital’s board of trustees or appropriate money to the city-owned hospital. 
....The County Commissioner may not use his position to influence the award of the contract. 
....If a matter relating to the subject contract comes before the County Commission, the County Commissioner/city-owned hospital employee should recuse himself from voting. 

2011-09 County Hospital 
County Hospital may accept unsolicited offer of equipment and related services from appointed board member.
County Hospital may accept unsolicited offer of real property from appointed board member so long as:  there are no financial conditions associated with the property transfer; and the body notifies the public of the member’s offer and allows other property owners to offer their property.
County Hospital may accept unsolicited offer of real property from appointed board member even if there are unresolved issues requiring mitigation (e.g. environmental hazards, or outstanding liens), but only if an independent evaluation determines that the overriding benefit is to the governing body rather than the donor and it receives permission from the Ethics Commission.
Modifies AO 95-09 by clarifying that the donation (as opposed to the leasing) of property does not constitute a public contract. 

2011-10 County Board of Education (BOE)
Spouse of county BOE Superintendent may not be employed as Director of Student Services, a prohibited administrative position under W. Va. Code § 61-10-15.
Spouse of county BOE Superintendent may be employed as School Psychologist, a position that meets the exception in W. Va. Code § 61-10-15.
Spouse of county BOE Superintendent may be continue to be physically located in the central office without violating W. Va. Code § 61-10-15.  The nature of the work performed, not location, is outcome determinative.
Superintendent may not use position to obtain, increase or promote the interests of spouse as a BOE employee.

2011-12 Town Attorney
Town’s elected officials may vote to appropriate funds to a non-profit organization on which they and/or their family members serve as uncompensated board members and/or officers.

Overrules portion of AO 2010-04 wherein member of a non-profit board was prohibited from voting as a member of the Board of Education.

2011-20  An Elected County Commissioner
May purchase tax liens at a Sheriff's sale or through the State Auditor's Office, or both, when County Commission had no direct involvement in the assessment of the property.
May not purchase a tax lien on property for which the owner requested adjustment of assessed value or other relief from County Commission sitting as the board of equalization and review.

2012-01 Mayor
Ethics Act does not prohibit city employed building inspector from serving on City Council, but he must perform his Council duties on his own time, not during his public work hours.  Ethics Act does not prohibit a building inspector/city employee from serving on City Council.
City council member employed by city may not vote on a personnel matter which affects him directly as opposed to affecting five or more employees in the same or similar manner. 
City employed building inspector serving on City Council must recuse himself when citizens who are affected by his official actions come before City Council to address or dispute his official actions.

2012-02 County Commissioner
Ethics Act does not prohibit County from purchasing property from real estate business with which a County Commissioner is associated, with limitations:  Commissioner may not use his position to influence purchase of the property; specifically, he may not communicate with fellow County Commissioners, or Members or staff of the Building Commission, on matters relating to the property.  
No prohibited financial interest where neither Commissioner nor his immediate family members have ownership interest in property County Commission seeks to purchase from real estate business with which he is associated.   
No prohibited financial interest where Commissioner is not: a director or officer; the listing agent for the property; or, entitled to receive any commission from the sale of the property.
County Commissioner associated with real estate business selling property to County meets statutory exemption so long as he recuses himself.  (See Voting)
County Commissioner associated with real estate business selling property to County must recuse himself from all matters related thereto.

2012-03 County Agency
Ethics Act does not prohibit County Agency from employing Supervisor’s son, even though they live in the same house, so long as the Supervisor is completely removed from the hiring process.
Ethics Act does not prohibit County Agency from employing Supervisor’s son even though they live in the same house.
Supervisor employed by County Agency is not a county officer and therefore is not subject to provisions of W. Va. Code § 61-10-15.
General rule:  Public servant should not supervise a relative. 
Supervisor employed by County Agency may supervise son on emergency calls and while in the field.

2012-05  Public Employee
Although public employee has personal financial interest in employer, interest does not create prohibition against employer contracting with agency on which employee serves as public official.
Employment by public agency constitutes personal financial interest which prohibits employee who serves as public official from voting on matters that affect public employer.
Matters affecting the BOE uniquely affect public official’s employer, not a class of five or more similarly situated County BOEs. 

2012-07  Mayor
may not use public resources for the benefit of his private business;
may not use subordinate staff to perform work associated with his private business while the subordinates are on the government time clock;
may not solicit private business from subordinates;
may not distribute promotional materials concerning his private business from his office and/or in City/Town Hall;
may not have an interest in a public contract, with certain exceptions;
must recuse himself when a current customer appears before Council; and
must recuse himself from: drafting bid specifications or requests for proposals;
recommending selection of the vendor; and/or
approving the method or manner of payment to the vendor; and
when serving as municipal judge, must:
if customer within past six months appears, disclose the fact thereof and recuse himself if either party requests; and
recuse himself from cases involving customers within the past six months.

2012-12  Local Board of Health
Board of Health’s part-time appointed Health Officer may accept patient referrals from the Health Department so long as s/he does not make, participate in making, or in any way attempt to use his or her office or employment to influence a government decision affecting his or her financial or limited financial interest.
Full-time health officer may not contract with own Board of Health unless Board seeks and receives advice or a contract exemption from Ethics Commission.
Local Board of Health formed by a county and a municipality not subject to strict provisions of § 61-10-15.
County Boards of Health are subject to strict provisions of § 61-10-15; their health officers (part time and full-time) may not contract with own Board of Health unless Board seeks and receives advice or a contract exemption from Ethics Commission.

2012-13 Member of a County Board of Education (BOE)
May contract with a public university to supervise university students during their placement in public schools in the county where he serves so long as he does not use any public resources, including BOE staff, to perform his private contractual duties. 
Agreement between public university and BOE not a public contract.

2012-16  County Commission
Prohibited from purchasing private property from appointed member of County Building Commission.
Purchase of property from appointed member creates impermissible conflict and a prohibited interest in a public contract.
May seek Contract Exemption if it believes the property is only viable option.

2012-24 Mayor
May reside with father who is employed by City.
May not exercise supervisory control over his father/city employee.
May not conduct his father’s evaluations, set his schedule, authorize overtime, or approve father’s direct supervisor’s recommendations which directly affect the terms and conditions of his father’s employment.
Must recuse himself from personnel matters which uniquely affect his father as opposed to matters affecting his father as a class of five or more similarly situated employees.
May participate in collective bargaining agreement negotiations with union of City employees of which father is a member.
Must recuse himself from the negotiation of any provision in collective bargaining agreement which uniquely affects his father, but may vote on the collective bargaining agreement in its entirety.

2012-26  Candidate for County Commission
•Spouse may not remain employed with County Clerk’s office or by any other county office or agency if Candidate becomes county commissioner.  
•Spousal exemption created by § 61-10-15 (l):
    »does not extend to persons elected to office whose spouses are already employed by County government or County school system
    »only extends to certain spouses who were employed by county prior to their marriage to a county official.

2012-28 Candidate for Prosecuting Attorney
If Requester is elected Prosecuting Attorney, spouse may not continue her employment with the Prosecuting Attorney’s office.
Requester’s spouse may be employed by another county office or agency so long as she is chosen for such a position based on her experience and qualifications, not based on favoritism to the Requester.

2012-29 County Emergency Services Director
May not be compensated for performing duties of managing federal grant when those duties are the usual and customary duties associated with County Emergency Services Director.
May not privately contract with County to manage a federal grant given to County for mitigation projects, when Requester’s duties as County Emergency  Services Director gives him direct authority and control over private contract with County.

2012-30 County Emergency Services Director
May privately contract with Municipality within County to manage federal grant for mitigation projects when Municipality does not fall under County’s floodplain jurisdiction.
Does not have direct authority voice, influence, or control over Municipality’s decision relating to grant money, and the expenditure thereof.
Must notify County Commission of contractual arrangement with Municipality; to obtain approval; and abide by any restrictions that County Commission imposes.

2012-32 State Legislator and County BOE Bus Operator
May contract with Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) provided he: does not use his public position to obtain unfair advantage in securing contract; does not use his public position to gain unfair advantage for the RESA by which he is employed; and does not get paid during Legislative Session if he does not perform his contractual duties.
May contract with RESA as Bus Operator exercises no control over contract.
Must perform RESA duties on his own time; not during BOE work hours. 
May be required to file verified time records with Ethics Commission if RESA duties performed during regularly scheduled BOE work hours.

2012-34 Public Agency
May permit employee who was involuntarily denied boarding from a flight while in travel status to accept compensation from airline.

2012-37 Mayor
$100/year compensation for serving on City Council de minimis
Appointment to position on Council not a public contract
May vote for candidate to fill vacancy on Council who is a customer of her husband

2012-38 Part-time Appointed Member of a Review Commission
May provide referral list of names of companies and individuals as prospective buyers to owners of distressed properties appearing before Review Commission.
May, if Review Commission unable to assist in facilitating sale of distressed property (despite providing list of prospective buyers), as part-time appointed public official, purchase property from interested person subject to the foloowing limitations:
    . may not use confidential information acquired in course of official duties to further own personal interests or the interests of another person; and
    . must recuse self from all matters relating to subject property.

2012-40 Assistant Superintendent
Has voice, influence or control over spouse's subcontract with company that provides services to county school system, therefore contract prohibited.

2012-42 - Conservation District
• May award $500 scholarship per calendar year to District supervisor’s child so long as District supervisor recuses him/herself from all participation in selection of scholarship participants, leaves the room during discussion and decision-making period, and fully discloses his or her interests.
• District supervisor may not informally “lobby” or otherwise attempt to influence voting members of, or other decision-makers in, the government agency to select his/her child.





2012-46 City Council Member
• May serve on City Council although Council Member’s law firm contracts with City.
• Does not have prohibited financial interest in contract between law firm since Council Member is employee of law firm, not owner or director.
• May not: (1) receive any commissions or remuneration as a result of contract between law firm and City; (2) work behind the scenes to steer business to law firm; or, (3) participate in deliberation or vote on matters relating to contract with his firm, e.g. approving invoices.
• Must excuse himself from participating in discussion and decision-making process by leaving room when item is being discussed or decided; fully disclosing his interests; and recusing himself from voting on the issue. Meeting minutes must reflect basis for recusal and that Council Member left room during all discussion and vote on item under consideration.


AO 2012-47 County Commission
• May appoint a County Commissioner to serve as a voting member of a County Ambulance Authority, a subunit of county government.
• Should consult with its attorney on whether other laws permit proposed self-appointment, especially when enabling legislation does not specifically authorize self-appointments and position is compensated.
• County Commissioner does not have prohibited financial interest and may vote on matters affecting the County Ambulance Authority which come before County Commission.
 
AO 2013-01  Mayor
• City may employ mayor’s daughter, subject to limitations.
• Governing body must advertise all positions in which member of body knows in advance that family member is interested therein.
• Affected member must recuse him/herself from all decisions regarding candidates, including: deciding whether position needs to be filled; writing job description or establishing job requirements; reviewing applications or resumes; interviewing applicants; ranking applicants; and participating in decision-making process.
• If relative is hired, affected member must be completely recused from all personnel matters related to that relative, including without limitation: salary, raises, promotion, discipline, termination or lay-offs, unless that relative is member of class of five or more.
• For recusal to be proper, official shall disclose her/his conflict of interest and leave room during discussion, deliberation and vote thereon. Meeting minutes shall reflect official’s recusal.
• May not: 
       o informally attempt to influence official action on behalf of relative; 
       o “lobby” fellow members of governing body to take favorable action on relative’s behalf; or 
       o attempt to influence relative’s supervisor to take favorable action.
• May not supervise any relative or relative’s supervisor.











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PUBLIC CONTRACTS - EXEMPTIONS             back to top

2006-11 County Prosecuting Attorney
Commission will not grant hardship waiver where contract is prohibited by W. Va. Code 61-10-15 [Note: Subsequent amendment to W. Va. Code § 61-10-15 provides discretion to Commission to grant waivers] 

2012-36 State Employee
May contract with State of West Virginia to compile official papers of former Governor.
Does not have control over contract.
Does not have access to confidential information related to contract award.
May not use public resources, including Requester’s own time and subordinate staff, to perform the duties of the contract.

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REVOLVING DOOR

2011-04 Per Diem Legislative Attorney  
Per Diem Legislative Attorney, who is not, on July 1, 2011, a Legislative employee as defined by the internal Revenue Service, is not subject to the newly enacted revolving door prohibition.
Independent contractors are not covered by the Ethics Act.

2011-19 - A State Licensing Board
May spending public funds to hire registered lobbyist, to serve as a Legislative liaison.
Registered lobbyist retained by a public agency as Legislative liaison must register as a lobbyist.
Revolving door prohibition does not apply to contract employee/former executive director who terminated employment befor July 1, 2011 cut-off date.  (§6B-3-2(e))

2012-25 State Employee
•May represent clients before his former agency upon his departure from government without waiting one year.
•Not an “appointed public official” so one year limitation does not apply because:
    »position not created by law
    »no oath of office
    »neither full-time staff attorney nor accountant
•May not represent clients in matters in which he was substantially involved. 
•May not use or reveal confidential information.
•May register as lobbyist upon his departure from government without waiting one year since he is not under direct supervision of Member of Executive Department.
........................................................................................................
SOLICITATION OF BUSINESS

2012-48 State Licensing Board 
• May not hire candidate for executive director when candidate rents from Board Member who is also subject to the Board’s regulation. 
  o Although candidate received property exemption to lease from Board Member, its terms require him and his subordinates to be removed from all matters affecting Board Member. 
  o Impossible for candidate to comply with requirements of property exemption due to Board’s small staff, administrative structure, and business relationship between candidate and Board Member


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VOTE & DELIBERATE & RECUSAL            back to top

2005-06 City Council Member
A City’s procedural rule purporting to require a Council Member to vote despite abstention at direction of presiding official are inconsistent with state ethics statute that requires public servants refrain from voting on matters in which they have a personal financial interest.

2005-12 County Planning Commission
Board Member may not vote on matters regarding developers or contractors who are current business customers

2005-14 County Commission
May adopt more specific recusal procedure

2006-06 State Legislator
Voting on matters relating to employer controlled by rules of each house
 
2006-09 City Mayor 
Voting permitted where only hypothetical private gain involved 
Not voting recommended to avoid appearance of impropriety

2009-04 County School Board Member
May vote on matters pertaining to the continuation of superintendent employment contract despite civil litigation against superintendent by school board member's employer's department head since school board member lacks financial interest in outcome of lawsuit.

2009-06 City Council Member
May vote on matters relating to a church in which he is a member absent a financial interest

2009-07  County Commissioner
 County Commissioner, a private attorney, may prepare wills, but must fully recuse himself from County Commission's probate therof;
 County Commissioner may not appear in a representative capacity in any probate proceeding before the County Commission, even if uncontested;
 County Commissioner may testify as witness to will's validity before County Commission but must recuse himself from decision-making on any such will.

2009-08  Board of directors of State Agency
Board members associated with entities which may have financial interest in Agency's contracts may not serve on subcommittee which reviews and recommends funding proposals.
Board members associated with entities which may have financial interest in Agency's contracts may continue to serve on Board, but must recuse themselves from discussion, deliberation and decision-making on matters related to those entities with which they are associated.

2009-14  Part-time Appointed Board member of a Public Agency
Member must recuse herself from discussion, deliberation and decision-making on all matters related to a contract between the Agency and her employer since she is the Executive Director and oversees the contract on her employer's behalf.

2010-04 County Board of Education Member
Board may contract with a private non-profit when one of the Board of Education members sits on the Board of the non-profit so long as the common Board member does not vote on any matters relating to the non-profit and recuses himself from the decision-making process and vote.  (This portion overruled by AO 2011-12; common Board member is no longer required to recuse himself, and may vote.)

2010-13  County Board of Education Member
Spouse of County BOE member may be employed as auditor in Central Office, a service position that meets exception in § 61-10-15
May not use position to obtain, increase or promote the interests of spouse as a BOE employee
May not vote on matters specific to his wife including raise, renewal of employment contract, or discipline
May vote on overall budget, but must recuse himself if line item affects wife or all four auditors if BOE specifically addresses any such line item.
 
2011-01 County Council Member
County Council Member’s business may appraise estates so long she recuses herself from any matters coming before the County Council involving the probate of any estate her business has appraised.County Council Member’s business may not appraise any estates over which the Sheriff has been appointed by the County Council as the administrator.  County Council Member’s business should be removed from the Fiduciary Supervisor’s list of available appraisers.
County Council Member may not appear, as a representative or witness, before the Council, either about the appraised value, or the amount of her compensation.
County Council Member may not accept protected persons from the Sheriff for placement in her nursing home, absent a contract exemption for the Sheriff.

2011-02  County Council Member 
County Council Member’s business may contract with a multi-county Conservation District under the following circumstances:
(1) the contract is let via a sealed bid process;
(2) the project is not funded by County money;
(3) the project is not the subject of an agreement between the District and the County including any agreement for flood control as authorized by W.Va. Code § 19-21A-13 ; and
(4) the affected Member recuses himself from the District’s appropriation request or any request for funding. 

Opinion does not authorize the employment of County Commissioners or County Council Members, their spouses or dependents, by Conservation Districts in the County where they serve. 

2011-06 County Public Service District Member (non-precedential)
An appointed board member, who in his private capacity has participated in other rate cases related to a particular utility company, may not participate in the PSD’s deliberations and actions related to the PSD’s role in the West Virginia Public Service Commission’s investigation of that utility company.
Although not expressly prohibited by the voting provision of the Ethics Act since he is a member of a class of five or more, the member’s membership in the Home Owners Association, as well as his representative advocacy on its behalf, constitute a personal interest.
There could be an appearance that the member is using the PSD to bring suit in the District’s name for his personal benefit, thus constituting the prohibited use of public office for private gain.

2011-09 County Hospital 
County Hospital may accept unsolicited offer of equipment and related services from appointed board member.
County Hospital may accept unsolicited offer of real property from appointed board member so long as:  there are no financial conditions associated with the property transfer; and the body notifies the public of the member’s offer and allows other property owners to offer their property.
County Hospital may accept unsolicited offer of real property from appointed board member even if there are unresolved issues requiring mitigation (e.g. environmental hazards, or outstanding liens), but only if an independent evaluation determines that the overriding benefit is to the governing body rather than the donor and it receives permission from the Ethics Commission.
Modifies AO 95-09 by clarifying that the donation (as opposed to the leasing) of property does not constitute a public contract.

2011-12 Town Attorney
Town’s elected officials may vote to appropriate funds to a non-profit organization on which they and/or their family members serve as uncompensated board members and/or officers.
Overrules portion of AO 2010-04 wherein member of a non-profit board was prohibited from voting as a member of the Board of Education.

2011-15 - An Appointed Member of a Board of Health
An Appointed Member of a Board of Health who is the past president of a fraternal organization which sued the Board of Health is required to recuse himself from being involved in deliberations or votes relating to the lawsuit.
An Appointed Member of a Board of Health who has business interests affected by the Board of Health regulations may vote on regulations or policies which govern smoking in public places.  The fact that he is a member and/or officer of an organization which has an interest in Clean Air regulations does not prohibit him from voting on the Clean Air regulations as five or more such organizations are affected.

2011-16- An Appointed Member of a Board of Health
An appointed Member of a Board of Health who is a member of a fraternal order which belongs to a fraternal organization which sued the Board of Health is required to recuse himself from being involved in deliberations or votes relating to the lawsuit. 
An Appointed Member of a Board of Health who is a member of a non-profit fraternal order which has an interest in Board of Health regulations may vote on Clean Air Regulations or other policies.  The member does not have a financial interest in the fraternal order, and does not need to recuse herself.

2011-18 - Industry representatives on the governing council of a State Agency
May not serve on the initial review panel for grant applications.
May not serve on the comittee to draft legislative rules relating to the award of grants.
May participate as a member of council, and vote on approval of recommended grant application absent a prohibited interest necessitating recusal.
May participate as a member of council, and vote on draft legislative rules relating to the award of grants absent a prohibited interest necessitating recusal.

2012-01 Mayor
Ethics Act does not prohibit city employed building inspector from serving on City Council, but he must perform his Council duties on his own time, not during his public work hours.  Ethics Act does not prohibit a building inspector/city employee from serving on City Council.
City council member employed by city may not vote on a personnel matter which affects him directly as opposed to affecting five or more employees in the same or similar manner. 
City employed building inspector serving on City Council must recuse himself when citizens who are affected by his official actions come before City Council to address or dispute his official actions.

2012-02 County Commissioner
Ethics Act does not prohibit County from purchasing property from real estate business with which a County Commissioner is associated, with limitations:  Commissioner may not use his position to influence purchase of the property; specifically, he may not communicate with fellow County Commissioners, or Members or staff of the Building Commission, on matters relating to the property.  
No prohibited financial interest where neither Commissioner nor his immediate family members have ownership interest in property County Commission seeks to purchase from real estate business with which he is associated.   
No prohibited financial interest where Commissioner is not: a director or officer; the listing agent for the property; or, entitled to receive any commission from the sale of the property.  County Commissioner associated with real estate business selling property to County meets statutory exemption so long as he recuses himself.  (See Voting)
County Commissioner associated with real estate business selling property to County must recuse himself from all matters related thereto.

2012-05  Public Employee
Although public employee has personal financial interest in employer, interest does not create prohibition against employer contracting with agency on which employee serves as public official.
Employment by public agency constitutes personal financial interest which prohibits employee who serves as public official from voting on matters that affect public employer.
Matters affecting the BOE uniquely affect public official’s employer, not a class of five or more similarly situated County BOEs. 

2012-07  Mayor
may not use public resources for the benefit of his private business;
may not use subordinate staff to perform work associated with his private business while the subordinates are on the government time clock;
may not solicit private business from subordinates;
may not distribute promotional materials concerning his private business from his office and/or in City/Town Hall;
may not have an interest in a public contract, with certain exceptions;
must recuse himself when a current customer appears before Council; and
must recuse himself from: drafting bid specifications or requests for proposals;
recommending selection of the vendor; and/or
approving the method or manner of payment to the vendor; and
when serving as municipal judge, must:
    if customer within past six months appears, disclose the fact thereof and recuse himself if either party requests; and
    recuse himself from cases involving customers within the past six months.

2012-13 Member of a County Board of Education (BOE)
May contract with a public university to supervise university students during their placement in public schools in the county where he serves so long as he does not use any public resources, including BOE staff, to perform his private contractual duties. 
Agreement between public university and BOE not a public contract.reement between public university and BOE not antract.

2012-17 Presiding Officer of a house of West Virginia Legislature
May not be retained to provide legal services to an Association which is actively engaged in lobbying Legislature on behalf of its members who are public employees.
Proposed employment contract presents an inescapable conflict, given the unique position held and power wielded by the presiding officer.
Access to confidential information may have chilling effect on other legislators, if proposed employment contract permitted.
Public may perceive that Association has hired him because of his unique ability to influence legislation. 
Other Associations that do not employee a high ranking member of the Legislature may believe that they are at a disadvantage in the legislative process. 
Opinion limited to Presiding Officers of houses of West Virginia Legislature.

2012-19 Member of the Legislature
May be retained to provide consulting services to Public University during and after his term of office.
Conflict of interest cured by his removal from potentially overlapping committees.
Must consult with Presiding Officer of his house and abide by appropriate legislative voting rule.
May not use influence of legislative position to attempt to affect the actions of University personnel to enhance his contractual benefits; introduce, sponsor or advocate legislation to benefit the University in any way; influence either the State’s distribution of federal grant money or State funds to the University for any purpose, not just those related to his consulting contract; or influence the appropriation of public funds to benefit the University in any way.

2012-21 Local Health Department
Any person or public entity subject to the Ethics Act may seek advisory opinion about their own prospective conduct. 
Public servant members of non-profit entity that oversees and distributes federal grants to their employers must recuse themselves from considering, evaluating, discussing, ranking, and/or overseeing funding decisions, including the funding matrix. 
Possibly permissible for non-profit organization to handle funding allocation matters if:
    .the non-profit entity and its board are truly independent of the State of West Virginia and the local health departments; 
    .as a matter of law, the state agency has clear legal authority to give this funding authority to the non-profit entity generally;
    .the state agency has legal authority to delegate a portion of its executive powers to a non-profit organization; and     
    .the relevant federal grant guidelines expressly permit this delegation of authority to the non-profit entity.

2012-24 Mayor
May reside with father who is employed by City.
May not exercise supervisory control over his father/city employee.
May not conduct his father’s evaluations, set his schedule, authorize overtime, or approve father’s direct supervisor’s recommendations which directly affect the terms and conditions of his father’s employment.
Must recuse himself from personnel matters which uniquely affect his father as opposed to matters affecting his father as a class of five or more similarly situated employees.
May participate in collective bargaining agreement negotiations with union of City employees of which father is a member.
Must recuse himself from the negotiation of any provision in collective bargaining agreement which uniquely affects his father, but may vote on the collective bargaining agreement in its entirety.

2012-37 Mayor
$100/year compensation for serving on City Council de minimis
Appointment to position on Council not a public contract
May vote for candidate to fill vacancy on Council who is a customer of her husband

2012-39  County Commissioner
May vote and participate in matters relating to Prosecuting Attorney's office even though he owns a business with County Prosecuting Attorney.  Lacks prohibited financial interest in the operation of the Prosecutor's Office since Prosecutor's salary set by statute.

2012-41 County Board of Health
Licensed septic tank cleaner may serve on County Board of Health.  Application to County Board of Health for tri-annual license does not constitute appearing before agency on which he serves for purposes of contesting issuance of license or permit.

2012-42 Conservation District
• May award $500 scholarship per calendar year to District supervisor’s child so long as District supervisor recuses him/herself from all participation in selection of scholarship participants, leaves the room during discussion and decision-making period, and fully discloses his or her interests.
• District supervisor may not informally “lobby” or otherwise attempt to influence voting members of, or other decision-makers in, the government agency to select his/her child. 

2012-44 State Agency
• May appropriate a de minimis amount of State resources ($1,500) to a related Association to provide matching funds to allow the Association to secure a grant.
• Executive Director of State Agency who serves on the Association’s Board at Agency’s request may be involved in advising Agency regarding distribution of money to Association because serving on Association’s Board is part of Director’s public job duties and Association’s mission is to assist other non-profit entities, not the Director’s public employer
• Chairperson of State Agency who serves on Association’s Board by virtue of his/her private employment with a large non-profit should recuse himself from voting on contributing money to Association.

2012-46 City Council Member
• May serve on City Council although Council Member’s law firm contracts with City.
• Does not have prohibited financial interest in contract between law firm since Council Member is employee of law firm, not owner or director.
• May not: (1) receive any commissions or remuneration as a result of contract between law firm and City; (2) work behind the scenes to steer business to law firm; or, (3) participate in deliberation or vote on matters relating to contract with his firm, e.g. approving invoices.
• Must excuse himself from participating in discussion and decision-making process by leaving room when item is being discussed or decided; fully disclosing his interests; and recusing himself from voting on the issue. Meeting minutes must reflect basis for recusal and that Council Member left room during all discussion and vote on item under consideration. 

2012-48 State Licensing Board 
• May not hire candidate for executive director when candidate rents from Board Member who is also subject to the Board’s regulation. 
  o Although candidate received property exemption to lease from Board Member, its terms require him and his subordinates to be removed from all matters affecting Board Member. 
  o Impossible for candidate to comply with requirements of property exemption due to Board’s small staff, administrative structure, and business relationship between candidate and Board Member 


2012-47  County Commission
• May appoint a County Commissioner to serve as a voting member of a County Ambulance Authority, a subunit of county government.
• Should consult with its attorney on whether other laws permit proposed self-appointment, especially when enabling legislation does not specifically authorize self-appointments and position is compensated.
• County Commissioner does not have prohibited financial interest and may vote on matters affecting the County Ambulance Authority which come before County Commission.


AO 2012-53   County Board of Education
• Members do not have financial interest requiring recusal when:
o Three or more Members from same county attended same training,
o Superintendent (or designee) has reviewed and approved reimbursement of group travel expenses, and
o Meeting agenda specifically discloses that travel expense forms for the Members are being approved.
• When one or two Members attend training, recusal is required when Board considers their travel expense reimbursement requests.
• For recusal to be proper, official shall disclose her/his conflict of interest and leave room during discussion, deliberation and vote thereon. Meeting minutes shall reflect official’s recusal.
• Ethics Commission declined to establish bright line rule. 

AO 2013-01  Mayor
• City may employ mayor’s daughter, subject to limitations.
• Governing body must advertise all positions in which member of body knows in advance that family member is interested therein.
• Affected member must recuse him/herself from all decisions regarding candidates, including: deciding whether position needs to be filled; writing job description or establishing job requirements; reviewing applications or resumes; interviewing applicants; ranking applicants; and participating in decision-making process.
• If relative is hired, affected member must be completely recused from all personnel matters related to that relative, including without limitation: salary, raises, promotion, discipline, termination or lay-offs, unless that relative is member of class of five or more.
• For recusal to be proper, official shall disclose her/his conflict of interest and leave room during discussion, deliberation and vote thereon. Meeting minutes shall reflect official’s recusal.
• May not: 
       o informally attempt to influence official action on behalf of relative; 
       o “lobby” fellow members of governing body to take favorable action on relative’s behalf; or 
       o attempt to influence relative’s supervisor to take favorable action.
• May not supervise any relative or relative’s supervisor.





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61-10-15 COUNTY OFFICERS (CRIMINAL PROVISION)       back to top

2005-03 County Board of Education Member
Board Member may serve as volunteer coach for $1 annually

2005-13 County Prosecuting Attorney
Part-time Prosecuting Attorney may not be employed to perform additional legal work for county under grant administered by County Commission

2005-18 County Board of Education Member
May fill competitive position as part-time assistant athletic coach if he declines compensation other than $1 annually

2006-12 County Board of Education Member
May be employed to conduct educational testing by contractor working for federal Department of Education where no county funds involved

2006-15 County Solid Waste Authority
Where Board Member has exclusive tariff from PSC to haul waste in county, Board may contract with Member to haul waste it collects

2006-16 County Board of Education
May not contract with Superintendent’s spouse to provide specialized training to teachers

2007-03 County Assessor
Marriage to employee who works in Assessor’s Office will result in prohibited interest in spouse’s employment contract

2007-08 Public School Teacher
May enter into vending services contract with school system by which he is employed

2008-10 County Commissioner
Contract between Commissioner's business and County Airport Authority which was approved prior to Commissioner's election may remain in effect
Commissioner may not serve on Airport authority
Commissioner may not vote on appointments to Airport authority
Commissioner must follow limitations on voting in regard to Airport Authority matters

2009-01 County Commissioner/Spouse
Spouse may not be employed by County Hospital..appointment power of county commissioner constitutes voice, influence, or control over county hospital (overruled by statute) 
Ethics Commission lacks authority to grant exemption to employ spouse except for positions expressly included in  § 61-10-15.

2009-05 Prosecuting Attorney
May not contract with local extension service agency because he exercises voice, influence or control over extension agency contracts.

2009-11 Board of Education / Assistant Principal
Assistant Principal is subject to the prohibitions in § 61-10-15.
Assistant Principal has voice, influence, or control over subject Board of Education contract affecting his school by virtue of his responsibility to oversee all school activities at his school.
Board of Education may not contract with Assistant Principal's private business to provide after-school driver's education program to County students.

2010-03 County Board of Education Candidate
Spouse of county BOE member may be employed as Chief mechanic, a service position that meets exception in § 61-10-15.
May not use position to obtain, increase or promote the interests of spouse as a BOE employee.

2010-04 County Board of Education Member
Board may contract with a private non-profit when one of the Board of Education members sits on the Board of the non-profit so long as the common Board member does not vote on any matters relating to the non-profit and recuses himself from the decision-making process and vote.  (This portion overruled by AO 2011-12; common Board member is no longer required to recuse himself, and may vote.)
May not use position to obtain, increase or promote the interests of spouse as a BOE employee.

2010-06  Public Library
Ethics Act's prohibition against interest in public contract does not apply to part-time appointed official.
Board member whose law firm represents library may serve on the board, but must recuse himself from all matters related to the law firm's contract.
Board member of Public Library created by Special Act of the Legislature and joint venture of county and city entities not subject to § 61-10-15.

2010-10  Board of Directors of a County Authority
 Ethics Act does not prohibit part time appointed officials from bidding at auction on items sold by Board on which they serve, so long as they recuse themselves from all related matters; but § 61-10-15 prohibits part time appointed officials from bidding at auction on items sold by Board on which they serve.

2010-13  County Board of Education Member
 Spouse of County BOE member may be employed as auditor in Central Office, a service position that meets exception in § 61-10-15
May not use position to obtain, increase or promote the interests of spouse as a BOE employee
May not vote on matters specific to his wife including raise, renewal of employment contract, or discipline
May vote on overall budget, but must recuse himself if line item affects wife or all four auditors if BOE specifically addresses any such line item

2010-14  County Board of Education Member
County BOE may not contract with Member’s fast food restaurant to provide food for special events
County schools and/or school sports teams may not contract with County BOE Member’s fast food restaurant to provide food for school sports teams using school funds
County BOE Member’s fast food restaurant may not sponsor fundraisers on behalf of school teams
County BOE Member’s fast food restaurant may, under certain conditions, sponsor fundraisers on behalf of booster organizations
County BOE Member’s fast food restaurant may, under certain conditions, sell food to credit union even though BOE provides office space to credit union

2010-15    County Board of Education Member
- County BOE Member may not be paid to officiate as a sports official in his own county
-County BOE Member may volunteer as a referee and receive $1 to obtain insurance coverage

2010-16  County Board of Education Member
County BOE Member may contract with State Department of Education for online teaching even though some teachers from her county may participate.
Subject contract with State, not County BOE, and thus Member lacks control over contract
County BOE Member lacks control over County BOE’s reimbursement of county teachers’ expenses incurred in taking Member’s online course

2010-20  Conservation Districts 
May not spend public funds (in excess of $1,000) to construct project on an Elected Board Member’s property, absent a contract exemption.
Public contract provision in Ethics Act contains no exception for part-time elected officials.
Not subject to the prohibitions of West Virginia Code § 61-10-15.

2010-21 - County Board of Education 
Ethics Act does not prohibit contract with a private club in which an Elected Board Member and Treasurer own less than five percent of the outstanding shares of stock.
May not contract with a private club in which an Elected Board Member, Treasurer and spouse of the Superintendent own stock, absent a contract exemption, due to the prohibitions of West Virginia Code § 61-10-15.
May not contract with a business with which public officials or their spouses serve as a director, pursuant to the Ethics Act.

2010-24  Board of Education  
May purchase property owned, in part, by a Sheriff’s Chief Tax Deputy.
Chief Tax Deputy does not exercise control over BOE contracts.
Chief Tax Deputy not subject to § 61-10-15 since position is neither statutorily created nor does she take an oath of office.
May not purchase property owned, in part, by a part-time Assistant Prosecutor, absent contract exemption due to the prohibitions of West Virginia Code § 61-10-15.
Assistant Prosecutor exercises control over BOE contracts by providing legal representation.Assistant prosecutor meets the “part-time appointed public official” exception to the Ethics Act’s public contract limitation.
Assistant Prosecutor is a public official for purposes of § 61-10-15 since position is statutorily created and he takes an oath of office.
Assistant Prosecutor exercises voice, influence, or control over BOE contracts.

2011-01 County Council Member
County Council Member’s business may appraise estates so long she recuses herself from any matters coming before the County Council involving the probate of any estate her business has appraised.County Council Member’s business may not appraise any estates over which the Sheriff has been appointed by the County Council as the administrator.  County Council Member’s business should be removed from the Fiduciary Supervisor’s list of available appraisers.
County Council Member may not appear, as a representative or witness, before the Council, either about the appraised value, or the amount of her compensation.
County Council Member may not accept protected persons from the Sheriff for placement in her nursing home, absent a contract exemption for the Sheriff.

2011-02  County Council Member 
County Council Member’s business may contract with a multi-county Conservation District under the following circumstances:
  (1) the contract is let via a sealed bid process;
  (2) the project is not funded by County money;
  (3) the project is not the subject of an agreement between the District and the County including any agreement for flood control as authorized by W.Va. Code § 19-21A-13 ; and
  (4) the affected Member recuses himself from the District’s appropriation request or any request for funding. 
Opinion does not authorize the employment of County Commissioners or County Council Members, their spouses or dependents, by Conservation Districts in the County where they serve

2011-03   County Hospital

County Hospital, whose members are appointed by the County Commission, may modify an existing contract with a city-owned hospital that employs a County Commissioner. 
....The County Commission does not have direct authority or control over the contract; neither the County Commission nor the County Hospital appoints the members of the city-owned hospital’s board of trustees or appropriate money to the city-owned hospital. 
....The County Commissioner may not use his position to influence the award of the contract. 
....If a matter relating to the subject contract comes before the County Commission, the County Commissioner/city-owned hospital employee should recuse himself from voting. 

2011-10 County Board of Education (BOE)
Spouse of county BOE Superintendent may not be employed as Director of Student Services, a prohibited administrative position under W. Va. Code § 61-10-15.
Spouse of county BOE Superintendent may be employed as School Psychologist, a position that meets the exception in W. Va. Code § 61-10-15.
Spouse of county BOE Superintendent may be continue to be physically located in the central office without violating W. Va. Code § 61-10-15.  The nature of the work performed, not location, is outcome determinative.
Superintendent may not use position to obtain, increase or promote the interests of spouse as a BOE employee.

2011-20  An Elected County Commissioner
May purchase tax liens at a Sheriff's sale or through the State Auditor's Office, or both, when County Commission had no direct involvement in the assessment of the property.
May not purchase a tax lien on property for which the owner requested adjustment of assessed value or other relief from County Commission sitting as the board of equalization and review.

2012-02 County Commissioner
Ethics Act does not prohibit County from purchasing property from real estate business with which a County Commissioner is associated, with limitations:  Commissioner may not use his position to influence purchase of the property; specifically, he may not communicate with fellow County Commissioners, or Members or staff of the Building Commission, on matters relating to the property.  
No prohibited financial interest where neither Commissioner nor his immediate family members have ownership interest in property County Commission seeks to purchase from real estate business with which he is associated.   
No prohibited financial interest where Commissioner is not: a director or officer; the listing agent for the property; or, entitled to receive any commission from the sale of the property.
County Commissioner associated with real estate business selling property to County meets statutory exemption so long as he recuses himself.  (See Voting)
County Commissioner associated with real estate business selling property to County must recuse himself from all matters related thereto.

2012-03 County Agency
Ethics Act does not prohibit County Agency from employing Supervisor’s son, even though they live in the same house, so long as the Supervisor is completely removed from the hiring process.
Ethics Act does not prohibit County Agency from employing Supervisor’s son even though they live in the same house.
Supervisor employed by County Agency is not a county officer and therefore is not subject to provisions of W. Va. Code § 61-10-15.
General rule:  Public servant should not supervise a relative. 
Supervisor employed by County Agency may supervise son on emergency calls and while in the field.

2012-11 County Commissioner
Ethics Act permits living with county employee so long as nepotism rules followed.
W. Va. Code § 61-10-15 prohibits living with county employee even if nepotism rules followed and/or even if employee transferred to another county office.

2012-12  Local Board of Health
Board of Health’s part-time appointed Health Officer may accept patient referrals from the Health Department so long as s/he does not make, participate in making, or in any way attempt to use his or her office or employment to influence a government decision affecting his or her financial or limited financial interest.
Full-time health officer may not contract with own Board of Health unless Board seeks and receives advice or a contract exemption from Ethics Commission.
Local Board of Health formed by a county and a municipality not subject to strict provisions of § 61-10-15.
County Boards of Health are subject to strict provisions of § 61-10-15; their health officers (part time and full-time) may not contract with own Board of Health unless Board seeks and receives advice or a contract exemption from Ethics Commission.

 2012-13 Member of a County Board of Education (BOE)
May contract with a public university to supervise university students during their placement in public schools in the county where he serves so long as he does not use any public resources, including BOE staff, to perform his private contractual duties. 
Agreement between public university and BOE not a public contract.

2012-16  County Commission
Prohibited from purchasing private property from appointed member of County Building Commission.
Purchase of property from appointed member creates impermissible conflict and a prohibited interest in a public contract.
May seek Contract Exemption if it believes the property is only viable option.

 2012-26  Candidate for County Commission
•Spouse may not remain employed with County Clerk’s office or by any other county office or agency if Candidate becomes county commissioner.  
•Spousal exemption created by § 61-10-15 (l):
    »does not extend to persons elected to office whose spouses are already employed by County government or County school system
    »only extends to certain spouses who were employed by county prior to their marriage to a county official.

2012-28 Candidate for Prosecuting Attorney
If Requester is elected Prosecuting Attorney, spouse may not continue her employment with the Prosecuting Attorney’s office.
Requester’s spouse may be employed by another county office or agency so long as she is chosen for such a position based on her experience and qualifications, not based on favoritism to the Requester.

2012-32 State Legislator and County BOE Bus Operator
May contract with Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) provided he: does not use his public position to obtain unfair advantage in securing contract; does not use his public position to gain unfair advantage for the RESA by which he is employed; and does not get paid during Legislative Session if he does not perform his contractual duties.
May contract with RESA as Bus Operator exercises no control over contract.
Must perform RESA duties on his own time; not during BOE work hours. 
May be required to file verified time records with Ethics Commission if RESA duties performed during regularly scheduled BOE work hours. 

2012-41 County Board of Health
Licensed septic tank cleaner may serve on County Board of Health.  Application to County Board of Health for tri-annual license does not constitute appearing before agency on which he serves for purposes of contesting issuance of license or permit.

2012-42   Conservation Disrict
• May award $500 scholarship per calendar year to District supervisor’s child so long as District supervisor recuses him/herself from all participation in selection of scholarship participants, leaves the room during discussion and decision-making period, and fully discloses his or her interests.
• District supervisor may not informally “lobby” or otherwise attempt to influence voting members of, or other decision-makers in, the government agency to select his/her child.

AO 2012-45 County Attorney
• Has direct authority or control over County’s public contracts contemplated by W. Va. Code § 6B-2-5(d).
• Has “voice” and “influence” over all County contracts for purposes of W. Va. Code § 61-10-15.
• Position not “county office”, so not subject to W. Va. Code § 61-10-15.
• May not receive additional pay for serving as project coordinator for County Building Commission, absent a contract exemption.

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