Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Is it legal for an elected official to give gifts to city employees during a re-election bid?

A sitting councilman is a current candidate for mayor. Gifts were placed at city employee work stations with a note to remember him and his candidate of choice for an open seat on the council on election day. The gifts were delivered after regular work hours at a city facility. Is this legal and how do community members report the activity to the election committee or should we waste our time reporting the activity . The election is November 6.

Is it legal for an elected official to give gifts to city employees during a re-election bid?
This doesn't sound legal and I bet you better contact the City Manager to advise that this practice is very wrong or at the very least not a good idea.
Reply:It's legal. That's a way to get vote.
Reply:While you may not like or agree with his actions, they are perfectly legal, provided the gifts were not paid for with city funds and were given after normal operating hours. Reporting this will do nothing except make you look bad in the eyes of the city council. Judging from your message I would guess you probably work for the city, so reporting this could possibly cost you your job.


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