The conflict law places restrictions on what public employees may do on the job, after hours, and after leaving public service.
Special public employee status
"On the job" restrictions: conflict of interest issues when an employee is acting in his public position
Public employees may never accept bribes pursuant to G.L.c. 268A, § 2.
A bribe may be anything of any value given to an employee (or received by an employee directly or indirectly) so that employee will take or not to take an official action.
2. Gifts
Public employees are generally prohibited from accepting gifts of substantial value ($50 or more) either: (1) for or because of their public position, or (2) for or because of an official action. G.L. c. 268A, §§ 3, 23(b)(2)
Public employees may not participate in their public position in matters in which they or any of their immediate family members have a personal financial interest, unless they get an exemption.
Public employees may not participate in their public position in matters in which a business organization they are affiliated with has a financial interest, unless they get an exemption.
Public employees may not participate in their public position in matters involving individuals/organizations with whom they are negotiating for future employment, unless they get an exemption. G.L. c. 268A, §§ 6, 13, 19.
a. Appearance of a Conflict
Public employees may not act in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to think that they would show favor toward someone, or that they can be improperly influenced.
Public employees must file a disclosure form prior to participating in matters involving a person/entity who they have a private relationship with. G.L. c. 268A, §§ 23(b)(3), 26.
Public employees may not use their official position to get something worth $50 or more that would not be properly available to other similarly situated individuals. G.L. c. 268A, § 23(b)(2)ii.
"After hours" restrictions: conflict of interest issues that arise for employees in their private lives when they are not acting officially
1. Divided Loyalties/Acting as Agent
Public employees getting paid (or receiving any compensation) on their own time ("after hours) by someone other than the level of government they work for (state, county, city/town) in connection with a matter the level of government they work for (state, county, or city/town) has an interest in.
Public employees acting as agent (acting on behalf of someone else), on their own time ("after hours"), even if it is without pay, in connection with a matter that their level of government (state, count, or city/town) has an interest in. G.L. c. 268A, §§ 4, 11, 17.
2. Public Employees who have Financial Interests in Multiple Public Contracts
Sections 7 (state employees), 14 (county employees) and 20 (municipal employees) may impose restrictions on whether public employees can hold additional paid public jobs at the same level of government or whether they can have a direct or indirect financial interest in a vendor contract with the same level of government.
Overview of Conflict of Interest Law Restrictions
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