Ethics cases must not be witch hunts

Tuesday, July 9, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

There's also an unfortunate opportunity to do damage with political smear campaigns. It's important to remember that an allegation is just that; one person's word against another.

It takes an investigation by the commission to sort the wheat from the chaff, some of which may have been filed out of malice or for political purposes. Only after the commission ruling can the public ascertain the facts.

The commission had been keeping the records confidential unless a public official involved in the case agreed to their release. The intent of the state law was to prevent the publication of unjust personal attacks. But a federal court rightly ruled that the information could not be kept from the public.

On balance, it's a good ruling. The public needs to know all it can about its public officials even if the allegations cannot be substantiated. Keeping the records open will make officials more alert to potential conflicts. And it will keep the pressure on the commission to do a proper job.

The release of records already has revealed some interesting legal dilemmas.

Should the chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee be sponsoring Rocktoberfest, a Las Vegas car event? Sen. Bill O'Donnell, R-Las Vegas, says his sponsorship is not a conflict. Marie Hutton of Las Vegas disagrees and has filed a complaint. Another complaint involves Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren's hiring of former Assemblywoman Dianne Steel in possible violation of a law prohibiting a legislator from taking a position which she earlier voted for a pay hike. Still another questions a $1,000 check a Department of Motor Vehicles employee received from a car dealer.

The danger in these cases is that the media and the public will jump to conclusions. It's incumbent upon both to ensure everyone has a fair hearing, with an ample opportunity to air all sides of the issue.

Otherwise, the commission could become a tool for political enemies and could further seriously impair the attractiveness of public office.

Used wisely, public ethics complaints will result in better government. Or it could destroy good public officials who, through no fault of their own, wound up on someone's enemies' list.