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BEFORE THE OFFICE OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND ETHICS
FRANK D. REEVES MUNICIPAL BUILDING
2000 14th STREET, N. W. SUITE 420
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20009
(202) 671-0550
IN THE MATTER OF
Joy A. Arnold
Deputy Chief of Staff for
Community Affairs
Executive Office of the Mayor |
DATE: October 29, 2002
DOCKET NO.: CF 2002-09 |
ORDER
Statement of the Case
This matter came before the Office of Campaign Finance (hereinafter OCF)
pursuant to a referral from the Office of the Inspector General for the
District of Columbia (hereinafter OIG) in a published report entitled
"Report of Investigation of the Fundraising Activities of the
Executive Office of the Mayor (EOM)" (hereinafter Report) (OIG
Control Number 2001-0188 (S)). In the Report, the Inspector General has
alleged that certain current and former employees engaged in behavior that
violated provisions of the District of Columbia Personnel Manual Standards
Of Conduct.
In the instant case, the Inspector General has alleged that Joy A.
Arnold, Deputy Chief of Staff for Community Affairs, Executive Office of
the Mayor (hereinafter respondent), engaged in private or personal
business activity on government time and with the use of government
resources on behalf of events entitled the "Mayoral Reception for the
Congressional Black Caucus" (hereinafter the Black Caucus Reception)
and the "Clarence Vinson Reception" (hereinafter the Vinson
Reception), in violation of §§1800.1, 1803.1(fJ, 1803.2(a) and 1804.1(b)
of the District Personnel Manual (hereinafter DPM).1
Upon OCF's evaluation of the material amassed in this inquiry, it was
decided that the parameters of this inquiry extended solely to the DPM
employee conduct regulations. There was not any credible evidence that the
respondent committed any violations of the District of Columbia Campaign
Finance Reform and Conflict of Interest Act of 1974 (the Act), as amended,
D.C. Official Code §§1-1101.01 et seq. (2001 Edition). Any alleged
violation of the Act by the respondent would be predicated upon the
premises that respondent realized personal gain through official conduct,
engaged in any activity subject to the reporting requirements and
contribution limitations of the Act, or used District government resources
for campaign related activities.2 See D.C.
Official Code § 1-1106.01. Additionally, fines may be assessed for any
violation of the Act. OCF's review did not reveal any such activity.
Accordingly, where a violation of the PPM employee conduct regulations
has occurred, OCF is limited with respect to any action which otherwise
may be ordered. Inasmuch as the DPM consists of personnel regulations,
fines cannot be assessed. The Director may only recommend disciplinary
action to the person responsible for enforcing the provisions of the
employee conduct rules against the respondent.
By letter dated June 7, 2002, OCF requested respondent to appear at a
scheduled hearing on June 14, 2002. The purpose of the hearing was to show
cause why the respondent should not be found in violation of the Standards
of Conduct, which the respondent was alleged to have violated in the OIG
Report. On June 13, 2002, by letter, the respondent's counsel, A. Scott
Bolden, Esq., requested an extension for said hearing date, which was
approved. However, in lieu of hearing, on July 30, 2002, OCF submitted a
list of interrogatories to the respondent, to which she replied on August
26, 2002.
Summary of Evidence
The OIG has alleged that the respondent violated the above referenced
provisions of the DPM as a result of her use of government resources to
coordinate non-government events during government time. Consequently, the
Inspector General has alleged that the respondent engaged in activities
which were not compatible with the full and proper discharge of her
responsibilities as a government employee. The OIG relies exclusively upon
its Report, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
The respondent avers that she did not violate the DPM's Standards of
Conduct and relies upon her responses to interrogatories submitted to OCF
on August 26, 2002. (hereinafter Responses).
Findings of Facts
Having reviewed the allegations and the record herein, I find:
- Respondent, Joy A. Arnold, as Deputy Chief of Staff for Community
Affairs, Executive Office of the Mayor (hereinafter EOM), is a public
official required to file a Financial Disclosure Statement
(hereinafter FDS) with OCF. Response to Question Number (hereinafter
Q. No.) 1.
- From July 1999 through April 2001, the respondent served as
Confidential Assistant to the Mayor under the Mayor's Chief of Staff,
Dr. Abdusulam Omer (hereinafter Omer). Response to Q. No. 3.
- As an EOM employee, the respondent ". . .carried out duties
that were required of [her] with the goal of facilitating the Mayor's
responsibility to represent and promote the District of
Columbia." Response to Q. No. 22.
- "On the evening of September 13, 2000, Mayor Anthony A.
Williams [hereinafter the Mayor] hosted a reception [at "BET on
Jazz"] to honor members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)
during their 30' Annual Legislative Conference, and to acknowledge
Congressional leaders who have supported the revitalization of the
District of Columbia [and] invitees included several United States
Congressmen, District of Columbia Council members, District employees,
and other prominent figures in the community." Report at 130.
- "During the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, Clarence
A. Vinson, a bantamweight boxer from the District of Columbia, won a
bronze medal for the United States[; and t]o celebrate this
accomplishment by a Washington, D.C. native, EOM hosted a reception
for Vinson on November 29, 2000, at the MCI Center's National Sports
Gallery." Report at 141.
- The Black Caucus Reception and the Vinson Reception were official
District government events, sponsored by the Mayor.
- Funding for the Black Caucus Reception and the Vinson Reception,
said official District government events, was solicited from, inter
alia, businesses doing business with the District of Columbia, on
behalf of the District of Columbia government. Report at 131 &
141.
- Respondent performed assignments, e.g., she signed the contract for
the site of the Black Caucus Reception and gave the deposit therefor;
and, she arranged the location by signing the contract therefor and
catering and she mailed invitations to the Vinson Reception, to
implement both events, because the Mayor or Omer, as her supervisors,
instructed her to do so.
Conclusions of Law
- Respondent is an employee of the District of Columbia government and
is subject to the enforcement provisions of the employee conduct
regulations at DPM §§ 1800 et seq.
- The Black Caucus Reception and the Vinson Reception were funded
through solicitations by EOM staff from businesses doing business in
the District of Columbia, on behalf of the District of Columbia
government. Contra In the Matter of Mark Jones, Docket No. PI 2001-101
(November 7, 2001) (Mark Jones violated the Standards of Conduct when
he solicited funds from businesses doing business in the District of
Columbia, on behalf of various private, non-profit organizations.)
- Solicitation by District government employees from businesses doing
business in the District of Columbia, on behalf of the District of
Columbia government, is not within the purview of the DPM Standards of
Conduct.3
- The Vinson Reception and the Black Caucus Reception, notwithstanding
that they were funded through solicitations by EOM staff from
businesses doing business in the District of Columbia, but on behalf
of the District of Columbia, were official District government events,
sponsored by the Mayor, to promote the District of Columbia.
- Respondent used District of Columbia government time and resources
to plan and organize the Vinson Reception and the Black Caucus
Reception; and, respondent did not violate any employee conduct
regulations because the respondent was engaged in government business.
- Respondent used District of Columbia government time and resources
to plan and organize the Vinson Reception and the Black Caucus
Reception and respondent did not violate any employee conduct
regulations because the respondent was directed in these task$ by her
supervisors, the Mayor and Omer.
- The responsibility for enforcing the provisions of the employee
conduct regulations against the respondent rests with Mayor Anthony A.
Williams (hereinafter the Mayor).
Recommendation
I hereby recommend the Director to dismiss this matter.
Notwithstanding, it is further recommended that the Director advise the
Mayor to warn the respondent that it is imperative that she, as a District
government employee, become closely familiar with the provisions of the
employee conduct regulations, and avail herself, if she has not already
done so, of any ethics seminars or workshops scheduled by the District
government.
10/29/02
Date
Kathy S. Williams
General Counsel
ORDER OF THE DIRECTOR
IT IS ORDERED that this matter be dismissed.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Mayor be advised to warn the respondent
that it is imperative that she, as a District government employee, become
closely familiar with the provisions of the employee conduct regulations,
and avail herself, if she has not already done so, of any ethics seminars
or workshops scheduled by the District government.
This Order may be appealed to the Board of Elections and Ethics within
15 days from issuance.
10/29/02
Date
Cecily E. Collier-Montgomery
Director
Parties Served:
Joy Arnold
1132 Girard Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
A. Scott Bolden, Esq.
Reed, Smith
1301 K Street, N.W.
East Tower - Suite 1100
Washington, D.C. 20005
John F. Pressley, Jr., Esq.
7600 Georgia Avenue, N.W.
Suite 412
Washington, D.C. 20012
Charles Maddox, Esq.
Inspector General
Office of the Inspector General 717
14th Street, N.W., 5th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20005
SERVICE OF ORDER
This is to certify that I have served a true copy of the foregoing
order.
S. Wesley Williams
Investigator
NOTICE
Pursuant to 3 DCMR § 3711.5 (1999), any fine imposed by the Director
shall become effective on the 16' day following the issuance of a decision
and order, if the respondent does not request an appeal of this matter. If
applicable, within 10 days of the effective date of this order, please
make a check or money order payable to the D.C. Treasurer, c/o Office of
Campaign Finance, Suite 420, 2000 14th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20009.
_______________
1. DPM § 1800.1 reads as follows:
Employees of the District government shall at all times maintain a high
level of ethical conduct in connection with the performance of official
duties, and shall refrain from taking, ordering or participating in any
official action which would adversely affect the confidence of the public
in the integrity of the District government.
DPM § 1803.1 (f) reads as follows:
An employee shall avoid action, whether or not specifically
prohibited by this chapter, which might result in, or create the
appearance of the following:
(f) Affecting adversely the confidence of the public in the integrity
of government.
DPM § 1803.2(A) reads as follows:
District employees shall not solicit or accept, either directly or
through the intercession of others, any gift, gratuity, favor, loan,
entertainment, or other like thing of value from a person who singularly
or in concert with others:
(a) Has, or is seeking to obtain, contractual business or financial
relations with the D.C. government;
(b) Conducts operations or activities that are subject to regulation
by the D.C. government; or
(c) Has an interest that may be favorably affected by the
performance or non-performance of the employee's official
responsibilities.
DPM § 1804.1 (b) reads as follows:
An employee may not engage in any outside employment or other
activity, which is not compatible with the full and proper discharge of
his or her duties and responsibilities as a government employee.
Activities or actions which are not compatible with government
employment include but are not limited to, the following:
(b) Using government time and resources for other than official
business[.]
2. D.C. Law 14-36, "Campaign Finance Amendment Act
of 2001," effective October 13, 2001, prohibits the use of District
government resources for campaign related activities.
3. Whether or not this action violates the
"Anti-Deficiency Act" must be determined by the Office of the
Corporation 'Counsel or the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. Report
at Specific Finding 29. |