Conflicts of Interest

* Re “Conflict, If Not Legality, Is Clear,” Ventura County editorials, May 16.

The most recent revelation about Ventura City Councilman Jack Tingstrom’s alleged conflict of interest should be a catalyst for a city ordinance as well as a national law. To avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest, no elected official or public-sector employee (including their relatives) should be able to be hired or have any financial transactions with past, current or future contractors. It is absurd that such a law is not in effect.

The easiest way to bribe public officials is to hire them or arrange some sort of financial transaction in which money is passed. As long as the official discloses the fact and abstains from voting on any matter dealing with that contractor, no law is broken. What a sham.

It is routine for public officials to go behind the scenes to influence deals for contractors even if they don’t vote on the contract.

As a certified public accountant who specialized in auditing public-sector participation contracts, I can attest that the gifting of public assets is widespread. Let’s make a law and lead them not into temptation.

WILLIAM BAKER

Ventura