Goodman not talking about ethics panel meeting

Molly Ball

Thursday, July 15, 2004 | 10:51 a.m.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman asked the advice of the state Ethics Commission in a closed-door session Wednesday morning but refused to disclose the subject of the meeting.

The meeting, in which Goodman answered questions from the commissioners and got their opinions about a potential activity that might involve an ethical conflict, lasted more than an hour and a half.

"I asked for a confidential meeting with the Ethics Commission, and as a result I will make a presentation in front of the City Council," Goodman said Wednesday afternoon.

But he also said the presentation would be about ethics in general, not a specific ethical situation, and would take place "as soon as possible." Goodman refused to say whether the presentation would reveal the topic of meeting with the Ethics Commission.

By law, public officials may request advisory sessions with the commission. The sessions are closed and the commissioners cannot disclose what is discussed.

The person requesting the session may reveal what it is about, in which case the proceedings become public. Goodman said he chose to keep the proceedings confidential.

Stacy Jennings, executive director of the commission, said such meetings allow officials to be conscientious.

"The reason people come before the commission is because there's some issue, something that's going to conflict between their public duty and their private interest," Jennings said. "That's why they would come to us for advice."

In such sessions, the commissioners discuss an activity the official is considering and render an opinion about whether or not the activity would be ethical. Jennings cited as examples the decision to vote or abstain on a particular topic, or to embark on a business venture.

If an official asks the commission's advice but then acts contrary to it, he is subject to sanction.

Goodman had a brush with the commission in May, when he was called to answer allegations that he violated ethics rules by using his office to promote his son's business.

In two days of public hearings, a panel of four commissioners found that the mayor did break the law, but split on whether he meant to do it. Goodman, whose blunt, pugnacious manner appeared to charm the commissioners, was not fined.

Also discussed at Wednesday's meeting, then open to the public, was whether or not the commission ought to have a consistent policy on speaking to the press after an open hearing such as Goodman's.

Most of the commissioners said they thought they should be considered as judges, who generally do not comment on what went into their rulings. The commissioners should refer all inquiries to the executive director, they said.

Commission Chairman Rick Hsu said the commissioners' deliberations on individual cases, which are public, ought to be all the information the public needed on what went into a particular ruling.

Commissioner Mark Hutchison, who joined the board in January, said he felt "uncomfortable" not answering questions from reporters after a high-profile case such as the Goodman hearing.

And Commissioner William Flangas said the proposal to direct all media inquiries to the executive director, a staffer, would have the effect of "filtering or editing" commissioners' views, leaving them "muzzled."

The commission adjourned without motioning or voting on the issue, but Hutchison warned that the problem was not going away.

Also at Wednesday's meeting, Chairman Hsu and Vice Chairwoman Caren Jenkins were unanimously reelected to their positions.