Ethics Panel Says Gift Law Not Necessary
The Los Angeles Ethics Commission decided Thursday that an ordinance for monitoring gifts to the city is unnecessary, despite Councilwoman Ruth Galanter’s beliefs to the contrary.
Rebecca Avila, acting head of the five-member commission, said she and her colleagues believed that such an ordinance might stifle giving, including donated time.
“We need more volunteers,” she said.
Commissioner Ed Guthman said Galanter, who had recently stepped up her campaign for such an ordinance, was making “a mountain out of a molehill.”
“Give us some evidence [of wrongdoing],” Guthman said.
A couple of weeks ago, Galanter made a motion to have the commission consider drafting a law to establish guidelines for gifts such as equipment, services or time.
But the Ethics Commission decided to simply forward the request to the council.
Avila said that gives Galanter and her colleagues a chance to pursue the matter themselves.
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