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Trainer warns new council members of ethics rules, disclosure deadlines and fines
Summary
The presenter told the council that annual statements of economic interest are due by March 30, fines for missing the filing start at $100 and can reach $5,000, and that members must recuse when personal financial conflicts arise.
Fragoso reviewed state ethics obligations during the orientation, including campaign disclosure filings for recent candidates and the requirement that certain elected officials file an annual statement of economic interest by March 30 each year. She said penalties for failing to file start at $100 for an initial penalty and can reach a maximum of $5,000.
She also addressed conflict of interest rules: council members cannot abstain from voting for convenience and must recuse themselves only when a genuine financial conflict exists (personal, family, or business benefit). Fragoso recommended consulting the State Ethics Commission for formal opinions if a potential conflict arises and suggested completing and filing recusal forms with the municipal clerk when appropriate.
