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Training for employees andofficials of the City of Bridgeport

Important

Ethics Ordinance 2.38 is the official document that defines ethicsrequirements.

Information provided herein is believed to be accurate in all respects;however, it does not constitute legal advice and may not be relied upon forany purpose other than as a general source of information.

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The essence of ethics in State and

City Government is

intended to prevent city officials and employees fromusing their public position or authority for personal,

financial benefit.

State and city government ethics rules are a

subset of general ethics

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Documents defining city

Ethics are:

Ethics Commission Ordinance 2.38

A Citizens Guide to the City of Bridgeports Ethics

Both documents can be found on the Ethics web page

Pages 12 and 13 show how to access the ethics

webpage

Documents defining city Ethics are

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An overview of Ethics Ordinance 2.38

2.38.010 Purpose of chapter

Discusses the importance of Ethics in City government

2.38.020 Definitions of terms

2.38.030 Standards of Conduct Defines prohibitions and specific conflicts

2.38.040 Defines the Commission on Ethics

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Excerpts from 2.38.020 Definitions Employee: any employee of the City including any teacher employed by the

Board of Education

Official:

Any elected officer in the executive or legislative branch of City government Any member of a City agency, board, or commission

Gift: Anything of value Generally not allowed

See Ethics Ordinance 2.38.020 for exceptions

Personal Interest is any interest arising from Blood, marriage, or marriage-type relationships

Person includes Business and individual corporation, union association, etc

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Excerpts from Standards of Conduct Ethics Ordinance 2.38.030.

It is a violation to:

Engage in any business or transaction in substantialconflict with City duties

Receive gifts which might be intended to influence theperformance of City duties

Have an outside interest in any contract or financialdealings with the City in the same area of City businessperformed by the individual

For more details consult Ordinance 2.38 or request an Advisory

Opinion from the Ethics Commission

This summary is for training purposes

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Excerpts from Standards of Conduct Ethics Ordinance 2.38.030.

It is a violation to:

Have an outside interest in any contract or financialdealings with the City at all unless the contract has beenawarded through an open and public process

Engage in any business which is incompatible with or could

impair the discharge of City duties Disclose confidential information about the Citys affairs or

use it for personal gain

This summary is for training purposes

For more details consult Ordinance 2.38 or request an Advisory

Opinion from the Ethics Commission

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Excerpts from Standards of Conduct Ethics Ordinance 2.38.030.

It is a violation to:

Vote upon or otherwise participate in any transaction inwhich you have a personal or financial interest

Use city owned property for personal convenience or profit

Use a City position to secure preferential treatment orprotection for yourself or any person, except by properexercise of official discretion

This summary is for training purposes

For more details consult Ordinance 2.38 or request an Advisory

Opinion from the Ethics Commission

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Excerpts from Standards of Conduct Ethics Ordinance 2.38.030.

It is a violation to:

Provide false information on an official form provided tothe City

Use your official position to retaliate against any person

who files an ethics complaint

This summary is for training purposes

For more details consult Ordinance 2.38 or request an Advisory

Opinion from the Ethics Commission

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Excerpts from 2.38.040 Commission on EthicsD. Powers and Duties.

The commission has no authority to discipline any official oremployee found in violation of the ordinance after a full hearing

The commission will report any violations to the appropriateappointing authority and may recommend disciplinary action

E. Advisory Opinions.

Any official or employee may request an Advisory Opinion fromthe commission

This summary is for training purposes

For more details consult Ordinance 2.38 or request an Advisory

Opinion from the Ethics Commission

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Summary of 2.38.040: Complaints and Advisory Opinions

To submit a complaint Forms are available on the ethics website Can be obtained (in strictest confidence) from the City Clerks office Mail in care of the Ethics Commission

City Clerks office Envelope will be opened only by the Ethics Commission

To request an advisory opinion

Mail in care of the Ethics Commission City Clerks office Envelope will be opened only by the Ethics Commission

Any advisory opinion concerning the official or employee who requested the opinion, and who

acted in reliance thereon in good faith, is binding on the commission.

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