Prohibiting convicted public officials from continuing to profit Bayshore Courier News Posted:02/09/10
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New Jersey - Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon introduced legislation Monday that would prohibit an elected or appointed official, who is convicted of a crime involving their office, from becoming a lobbyist in New Jersey for a period of 10 years. The legislation also provides for a $10,000 fine for those who would violate the new law.
"There have been a lot of public officials arrested in New Jersey over the past few years. Many of these demonstrably dishonest people have high level connections in government and their respective parties," said O'Scanlon, R-Monmouth and Mercer. "We must make sure they are removed from influencing government and getting paid for that influence, going forward. It's time the Legislature takes seriously its responsibility to enact stringent ethics reform legislation. This bill essentially prohibits convicted public officials from continuing to profit from their government connections.
"Currently, there is nothing in the law that prevents convicted government officials, once they are released from prison, from returning to government influence as high-priced lobbyists," he continued. "There will be waves of these people getting out of jail in the next few years. We need to enact this legislation now, preemptively, rather than wait until we start hearing what I believe to be the inevitable stories of these people getting back into the business of influencing government. It's time we started anticipating public outrage, rather than waiting to react to it."
O'Scanlon, noting the arrest last July of 44 public officials in an FBI sting, said the bill, A-2149, puts necessary "sharper teeth" into the system where its apparent existing consequences are not deterring public corruption.
"Not only will this bill block the road from prison to lucrative work on State Street, but its accompanying $10,000 fine will hit people where it hurts; their wallets," he said. "Its intent is to send a strong message from Trenton that this Legislature and the public has no tolerance for ethically-challenged officials who were either elected or appointed to serve the best interests of all the people."
