Politics & Government

Council Deliberates Over Whether a $10,000 Ticket is a Gift

Council wondered if it should strike all gifts, even tickets to expensive receptions.

At its last regular meeting, Greenbelt City Council grappled over whether to strike language in the state ethics ordinance that, if passed, would allow elected city officials and other designated officials to receive gifts. 

The discussion arose because of new state requirements, drafted largely in response to county corruption. Greenbelt and other municipalities were charged with enacting ethics ordinances that either met with or exceeded state minimums.

Council member Rodney Roberts offered a motion to pass an ordinance more stringent than the state's requirements by striking the language allowing gifts.

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Mayor Judith “J” Davis stated the possibility that those changes might mean council couldn't accept gifts due to blood or marriage, or gifts from a mother, father or a niece — and even prevent them from receiving an inheritance.

The Mayor asked Greenbelt city solicitor Robert Manzi to weigh in on whether council members going to an MML [Maryland Municipal League] reception that was sponsored by Pepco would be prohibited, if council voted to disallow gifts. Manzi suggested attending would cause a problem.

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Davis then raised the hypothetical situation of the County Executive inviting council members to come to one of his fundraisers and giving members a complimentary ticket.

Council member Konrad Herling asked Manzi about the legalities if a council member were to make a payment toward the amount of a complimentary ticket.

Manzi indicated ticket recipients would have to pay face price.

"Which means for many that's $1,000 or $2,000 or $10,000,” Mayor Davis said.

"Well then that's a pretty substantial gift,” Herling responded.

"But it is given to your office not you personally,” Davis said.

"Well perception though,” Herling answered.

"Well it makes our calendar a lot easier, we will not be going to any receptions,” Davis said.

Addressing the influence functions exerted over participants, Davis told council that most people knew she had an extreme displeasure with Pepco, especially with some of the staff. She pointed out, nonetheless, that she had gone to sponsored receptions without being bought, and that she had even told those people exactly what she thought about them.

Patch published a story that includes multiple issues raised during the ethics debate as well as insight into the dynamics of Greenbelt City Council.


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