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Divulging Confidential Information Is Not a Conflict If It Only Benefits Someone Politically

In a recent <a href="http://www.cityethics.org/content/new-michigan-model-local-government-e…; target="”_blank”">blog
post</a> on the new Michigan Model Local Government Ethics Ordinance, I
noted in passing that the model wrongfully made divulging confidential
information a violation even when it benefits no one, and that this is not a government ethics issue.<br>
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WELCOME

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<img src="files/CDM-160.gif" alt="" align="right"><br />
<p>This website is an international project designed to exchange best practices in government ethics programs. Please participate and send us your ideas for expansion of the site. <br>
Thank you!</p>
<h3>Carla Miller</h3>

Mandatory Local Government Ethics Training in Massachusetts Is Not Being Warmly Greeted

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<b>Update:</b> November 13, 2009 (see below)<br>
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Massachusetts has been very busy reforming its ethics laws. Most of the
reforms involve the increase of penalties, plugging loopholes, banning
gifts, and increasing the authority of the state ethics commission,
which has jurisdiction over local government officials and employees.

How a Board Should Handle a Member's Contract Conflict

An interesting disagreement has arisen over what is required for a contract with a council member to constitute a conflict of
interest in California. According to <a href="http://www.thevalleychronicle.com/articles/2009/11/06/news/doc4af482c18…
article in the Valley <i>Chronicle</i></a>, the city of Hemet and the League
of California Cities disagree with a grand jury about whether a particular council

The Problem with Gifts to City via Elected Officials

In <a href="http://www.cityethics.org/node/606">past blog posts</a>, I
have focused on the perjury charges against Baltimore mayor Sheila
Dixon that relate to her failure to disclose gifts from a developer who
was seeking tax breaks. But today, Dixon goes on trial for theft
involving gift cards allegedly given to the office of the city council
president, which she filled at the time, and used by her for personal
purchases.<br>
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