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Ethics Commission deadlocks on bid to secure independent legal counsel
Summary
The Ethics Commission debated staff recommendations that would give the commission independent legal counsel to avoid potential structural conflicts with the City Attorney’s Office; a motion to request a charter amendment failed in a 2–2 tie. Staff had proposed three options ranging from ethical screens to a charter change.
The San Francisco Ethics Commission debated whether to seek independent legal counsel for the agency and failed to adopt a recommendation to ask the Board of Supervisors for a charter amendment.
At a meeting May 22, staff attorney Jeff Pierce told commissioners that their legal research identified a potential structural conflict when the City Attorney’s Office simultaneously advises city officials and the commission’s enforcement staff. Pierce outlined three options: strengthen ethical screens; hire independent counsel for staff (contracted or in-house); or secure…
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