.@RTDNEWS: Senators propose gift ban for Va. officials Two state senators from opposite sides of the political aisle have proposed a strict ban on gifts lawmakers and public officials can accept. They also are calling for an ethics review panel that would have authority to fine offenders and reject expensive travel or entertainment not deemed related to public service. Sens. J. Chapman Petersen, D-Fairfax City and Richard Stuart, R-Stafford, want to ban tangible gifts valued at more than $100 for any elected officials or employees of state government agencies and their immediate family. Their plan would also require ethics council review of so-called intangible gifts such as travel or tickets that exceed $100, and give the council the authority to determine whether the state employee or elected official can receive the gift. The council would also have the authority to fine officials who knowingly violate the law $250 for a first offense, and make a subsequent violation within four years a Class 1 misdemeanor. Our bill will put teeth into the Virginia Conflicts of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council, and will effectively ban all tangible gifts exceeding $100 in value, Petersen said in a statement. timesdispatch/news/state-regional/senators-propose-gift-ban-for-va-officials/article_1b499c9b-daa9-57a7-a043-6d9ff4182ac2.html
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 21:57:54 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015