Complaint Opinion 97-01
Date
08/14/1997
Number
97-01
Topic
Personal use - public resources
Respondent
Sen. Ken Jacobsen
Question/Complaint
The respondent was a member of a neighborhood pool association. At the request of another member, concerning membership issues, the respondent had his legislative assistant type a letter on senate letterhead in his legislative office and the respondent hand-delivered the letter.
Summary
The action constituted a private benefit because the topic of the letter is a personal concern of the respondent's with no apparent legislative purpose. This is not a situation involving a state agency or possible legislation. When the member has a strong personal interest the "ombudsmen" role is only appropriate if some governmental action or legislation is involved. RCW 42.52.160. Violation found.