Broaden state ethics
law, official says

By Craig Gima
Star-Bulletin

The state ethics law should be expanded to include all children, parents, brothers and sisters and even roommates of public officials, says Dan Mollway, state Ethics Commission executive director.

Mollway will propose the changes to the Ethics Commission when it meets Nov. 24. The commission can then make recommendations to the Legislature and the governor.

State law currently prohibits government officials from acting on matters in which the official, a spouse or dependent children have a "substantial financial interest."

It also requires disclosure by elected officials and top government appointees of their financial interests and the financial interests of their wives and dependent children.

The controversy over awarding of contracts to a company owned by state Transportation Director Kazu Hayashida's son and a company that employs his wife prompted Gov. Ben Cayetano to suggest that the laws need some changing.

Cayetano yesterday said the law should at least be expanded to cover grown children of government officials, even if they no longer live at home.

"The criticism that has come has come about because most people out in the community understand that whether your kid is 10 or 35, people are still close," Cayetano said.

Mollway said the perception of a conflict of interest also exists with the parents and brothers and sisters of a government official.

Mollway is proposing conflicts may even exist with anyone who lives with an official, even roommates, who may share expenses.

"The ethics laws are designed to further the public's confidence in government," Mollway said.

He added that including immediate family, significant others and even roommates in the laws will discourage situations where there is even an appearance of a conflict.