Advisory Opinion 98-06
Date
09/01/1998
Number
98-06
Requester
Confidential
Topic
Legislator as Executive Director - Conflict of Interest
Issue/Question
This request was accompanied by a lengthy presentation of facts. The issue was whether under these facts a legislator would have a conflict of interest if he were to serve as executive director of an organization which included lobbyists and which was formed to educate the public on a topic often before the legislature.
Summary
The Board elected to "pierce the corporate veil," allowing for a full examination of the extent of the potential created for violation of the ethics law. After acknowledging there is a presumption in a citizen-legislature in favor of outside employment, the Board concluded that under these facts the employment would constitute a "per se" violation. RCW 42.52.020 and 42.52.330.