Advisory Opinion 98-06

​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.

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.