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4. Re�resentation and A�earances. These two, closely related provisions prohibit <br />government officials and employees from representing others before their agency or board <br />or, for high-level officials, before the local government. The reason there are often two <br />separate provisions is that an appearance is a much more concrete act, easy to prove, and yet <br />there are inany instances where representation can occur without an appearance, and such <br />representation creates just as great a conflict as an appearance. <br />5. Confidential Infonnation. This provision prohibits the use of confidential information to <br />benefit oneself or others. Many ethics codes mistakenly prohibit all disclosure of confidential <br />information. This is mistaken because the disclosure of confidential inf'ormation, when <br />disclosure does not benefit someone, does not involve a conflict of interest, and is <br />soinetimes even desirable. <br />6. Post-Em�loyment Restrictions. Also known as a"revolving door" provision, this <br />provision applies certain ethics provisions to officials and employees usually for a limited <br />period of time after they have left their government positions (the "coolinb off' period). The <br />provisions applied are usually the representation and appearance provisions, the confidential <br />inforination provision, and the basic conflict provision. These provisions continue to be <br />applied because (1) leaving boverninent office to do work for a company that does business <br />with one's board or abency makes it look as if the official had been misusing his or her of'fice <br />to help the company, and was being rewarded for the favor; and (2) representinb a company <br />before one's own agency makes it look as if the official was eff'ectively selling to an employer <br />or client his confidential information and special relationships with colleabues and <br />subordinates. Other provisions, essentially pre-einployment provisions, restrict <br />representation or participation in matters an official was involved �vith before government <br />service. <br />7. Misuse of Local Government Pro�ert�. This provision prohibits usinb or allowing others <br />to use local govermnent property for personal purposes, unless the use is generally available <br />to the public (e.g., use of the library, sports facilities, ete.). Local government property <br />includes not only conerete things, such as vehicles and equipment, but also such things as <br />t9 <br />