In a move that has angered and dismayed Rhode Islanders who know the difference between ethical and legal, the Almond and York campaigns have accepted thousands of dollars from individuals who have allegedly contributed to the banking crisis and are being sued by DEPCO.
Operation Clean Government says the perception of a sitting Governor who is also the Chairman of DEPCO's board of directors, accepting campaign contributions from defendants and attorneys of lawfirms that are being sued by DEPCO, is one of conflict of interest.
Lest the Governor has forgotten, Rhode Island General Law 36-14-1 states: "It is the policy of the state of Rhode Island that public officials and employees must adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct, respect the public trust and the rights of all persons, be open, accountable and responsive, avoid the appearance of impropriety, and not use their position for private gain or advantage."
Although the law above is clear, there was evidence of abuse by a legislator sitting on a public board, which caused the Rhode Island Ethics Commission to pass Regulation 36-14-5013(2): "No member of the General Assembly, while serving on a Public Board shall: (a) ask, demand, solicit, accept, receive or agree to receive any political contribution from any person, business or other entity ("Vendor") having a financial interest, direct or indirect, in a contract in which the member of the General Assembly has participated or voted as a member of said Public Board." The Governor and Ms York's acceptance of these contributions from those being sued by DEPCO is a similar abuse. The money should be returned to the contributors; or at the very least, they should each pledge that if elected each would recuse from making appointments to the DEPCO Board and that each would recuse from participating or voting as a member of the DEPCO Board regarding these lawsuits. The electorate is entitled to know that these candidates, who appear to be willing to dirty their hands with this money in their quest for the office of Governor, will at least act ethically and recuse, so that the public may retain a scintilla of hope that DEPCO's fiduciary duty to Rhode Island taxpayers will not be sold by its Chair to the highest gubernatorial contributor.
"Governor Almond, accepting these campaign contributions is just plain wrong," says OCG Chairman Robert P. Arruda. "It is also a gross affront to the citizens of Rhode Island, who suffered through and are paying for the banking crisis, to watch individuals who allegedly helped bring us to the brink of economic ruin, still remain in the mix and try to peddle influence in a gubernatorial election."
Myrth York has admitted that in hindsight, it would be better not to take money from a defendant in a lawsuit the state has brought. But she tries to justify it by adding, "we're talking about very small amounts of money relative to the amount that we have raised." And having said this she goes on to say that she sees no reason to return the contributions. OCG says to Ms York: "This is convoluted reasoning. If you are serious about becoming Governor, and we have no reason to believe you're not, then why put yourself in the same ethical dilemma that the Governor now finds himself? Why would you not take the moral high road, return the money and set an example for those within government and for the citizens, who are turned off by just this kind of conduct and because of it, do not even bother to vote."
"It is mind boggling that both Governor Almond and Myrth York, who so freely speak of their records on reform, would even for a moment consider accepting fund-raising dollars from such a dubious source," said Arruda. "The citizens should hold their governor to a higher standard, as should the individual holding that office. Identifying a conflict of interest and conducting oneself in an ethical manner should be inherent in those who hold high elected office, or those who aspire to such."
Operation Clean Government holds accountable those whom the citizenry entrust with the stewardship of their state government. Transparency in government and the citizen's access to their government are essential to a healthy democracy. OCG advocates strong democratic laws and institutions that instill public confidence that common policies are fairly debated and decided on the merits, and that common resources are used responsibly.
The next monthly meeting of the OCG Board of Directors is
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