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Conflict-of-interest laws:

We hear the term “conflict of interest” often but how many really understand its meaning?  Further, is it a law with no teeth where it is applied when convenient and ignored when there would be some benefit to a particular group, person, etc?

 

On April 27, 2011, the newly appointed Commissioner for the Maine Board of Environmental Protection, Darryl Brown, resigned after the Attorney General’s Office found he was ineligible to hold that position based on the conflict-of-interest law.  The present law states that a person cannot serve as DEP commissioner if he or she has received a significant portion of their income directly or indirectly from Clean Water Act license or permit holders or applicants. 

Not even a month later the Maine Governor, who initially appointed Brown, has submitted emergency legislation to change the conflict-of-interest law.

It is not uncommon for laws to be reviewed and changed throughout time. For example, just as the law against the sale of alcoholic beverages during the prohibition changed, we are now seeing law revisions that relate to the use of marijuana.  But conflict-of-interest laws were put in place to apply to specific situations.   Usually it involves having influence over an action that will result in personal gain.  If we allow the conflict-of-interest laws to change depending on a situation then why have the law at all.  It will be manipulated to suit whoever has the power to make the change, which in itself is a conflict. 

The law is in place for a reason and unlike some laws that change due to overall society changes, conflict-of-interest laws should remain in place – unchanged.