Suspend worker for abusing leave, city panel says

The city Ethics Commission is recommending that a Department of Planning and Permitting employee be suspended one to three days for misusing sick leave to attend a golf tournament sponsored by a business that does work for the city, according to an advisory opinion issued by the commission Tuesday.

The name of the employee was withheld, as was the agency where the employee works. But the employee was described as a person who has reviewed and approved building permit applications, which is the purview of DPP.

A DPP spokesman said Director George Atta will review the opinion and "determine what action is appropriate."

The employee acknowledged accepting an invitation to play in a tournament held in November by a businessman described in the opinion as a third-party reviewer who examines and certifies building plans for building, electrical and mechanical code compliance on behalf of paid clients, the opinion said. The employee paid the $50 greens fees and acknowledged winning a $50 gift card, a potential violation of the ethics code. But that count was dismissed because the employee took corrective action by returning the gift card to the sponsor.

The commission investigated the incident after receiving a complaint that about 40 city employees accepted prohibited gifts, including greens fees, food, drinks and prizes, from the businessman.

All other city employees who participated used vacation time to attend the tournament, the opinion said.

Commission staff found at least two other city employees who have the discretion to approve building permits accepted prohibited gifts at the tournament but took corrective action by returning the gifts, the opinion said. Several other city employees who participated and accepted gifts avoided violations by "making pre- reimbursement" to the businessman.

Under the City Charter, a city officer and employee are barred from soliciting, receiving or accepting any gift, directly or indirectly, in circumstances in which it can be reasonably inferred that the gift was intended to be used to influence the official duties of the officer or employee. In the city ordinances there is an absolute ban on gifts valued at more than $200 when a city employee has discretionary authority over the donor.