Ethics 101: Ethics Commissioners Shouldn't Attend Campaign Fundraisers

NEW YORK, NY (10/24/2022) (readMedia)-- In response to news that a new ethics commissioner attended an Assembly Member's campaign fundraiser, Susan Lerner, Executive Director Common Cause/NY put out the following statement:

"Whether Mr. Austin made a mistake or misrepresented himself to the vetting panel that approved him, he should not be supporting -- financially or otherwise -- the people he's supposed to be overseeing. That's ethics 101, and we expect Mr. Austin to make better decisions going forward that don't undermine his colleagues and the body of which he is now a part. It should go without saying that other members of the commission should not follow Mr. Austin's poor example. New Yorkers expect him to do better and be cognizant of the requirements of his newly appointed role."