Commission briefed on ethics complaint alleging misuse of position by city attorney

City staff briefed commissioners on an ethics complaint filed by Jerim Bass alleging a violation of Brentwood’s ethics code against City Attorney Kristen Korn.

Staff summarized the allegations and the relevant code sections: “An employer official may not use or attempt to use their position to secure privilege for themselves or others,” the Chair read while describing the complaint’s focus. Staff also referenced procedural code that governs how the commission should handle complaints filed against an employee other than the mayor.

How the commission must act: staff said the commission must move one of three options by majority vote when the item is heard: find the complaint credible and determine a violation occurred; find it not credible or without merit; or refer it for further investigation by a third party. The packet distributed to commissioners contains the complaint, exhibits and the city attorney’s written response, staff said.

Why it matters: the complaint centers on whether an official used their position to obtain a benefit for another party; staff cautioned the commissioners about straying into unnecessary detail at the briefing stage and recommended relying on the packet and the formal item when the commission considers the matter in its regular meeting.

Next steps: staff said the complaint will be placed on the commission meeting agenda for action; commissioners will need a motion and second to begin the item and then can request staff to summarize key points. No formal vote was recorded at the briefing.

The complaint, the city attorney’s written response and staff analysis remain in the public packet for commissioners and members of the public to review prior to the scheduled meeting.