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online �-ersion of the code should brinb tobether, not simply refer to the numbers of, all <br />city, county, and state laws, rules, and regulations that relate to local government ethics, so <br />that all ethics laws can be found in one place, and read in relation to one another. <br />A conflict of interest code should use the simplest language possible, especially in the <br />ethics provisions (as opposed to the administrative and enforcement provisions), because <br />they are intended to be read and followed by the average local government official or <br />employee. An unreadable ethics code does not provide guidance, nor can it be enforced <br />when violated by someone who honestly did not understand it or who dishonestly employ s <br />the defense of a lack of understanding. <br />Conflict of interest codes are supplemented by ethics commission interpretations, <br />advisory opinions, regulations, and rules of procedure. It is verv useful to include links to <br />these after the relevant code provision in the online version of the ethics code. <br />There are ten essential ethics provisions: <br />1. Conflict of Interest. This most basic provision prohibits the use of one's position to do <br />anything that may directly or indirectly, financially or personally, benefit an official or <br />employee, his family, or his business associates, except to the extent a large se�nent of the <br />community also benefits. <br />2. Withdrawal from Participation. Also known as recusal, withdrawal is what someone <br />usually does to deal responsibly with a pre-existing conflict. Withdrawal means not <br />participating in the matter at all, not even discussing the matter, privately or publicly, <br />directly or indirectly. Withdrawal is not, however, always the most responsible way to <br />handle a pre-existinb conflict. <br />3. Gifts. Prohibiting or limiting gifts from those doing or seeking to get special benefits from <br />the local government (usually referred to as "restricted sources") is the most important way <br />in which an ethics program talzes bribery and pay to play out of the criminal sphere, where <br />they are difficult to prove. Campaibn contributions are usually not considered gifts, but it is <br />possible to require withdrawal from a matter that may bene$t a sizeable campaign <br />contributor. <br />ls <br />