J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                     1439

his official opinion, judgment or action shall be influenced thereby,
or shall be given in any particular manner or upon any particular side
of any question or matter upon which he may be required to act in
his official capacity, is punishable by imprisonment in a state prison
not exceeding ten years, or by a fine of not more than five thousand
dollars ($5,000.00), or by both.

4. Code of Ethics for Officials.

(a)  No public official shall decide or participate in any ruling
decision, or opinion in which he has a financial interest, as owner,
member, partner, officer, employee, stockholder, or other participant
of or in any private business or professional enterprise that will be
affected by such decision, nor shall an official participate in any ruling
decision, or opinion affecting any person related to him as defined in
paragraph 1 (b). This subsection shall not be construed to prohibit
an official from having or holding private investment, business, or
professional interests, but shall be construed to apply when such
interests are or reasonably may be in conflict with the proper per-
formance of his official duties.

(b)  No public official shall act as broker, agent, attorney, repre-
sentative, or employee for any person or firm, in his business dealings
with the County or its agencies or agencies of the State operating
for the County or represent private interests before the County or
such described agencies; nor shall any public official decide or
participate in a decision on any matter in which a close business or
professional associate has acted in any of these capacities or repre-
sented private interests before the County or such described agencies.
This shall not be construed, however, to prevent officials, or any close
business or professional associates of such officials, from participating
in matters with the County or such described agencies, where such
participation has no relationship to the official duties of such official,
nor shall the term "participation" include the preparation of surveys,
architectural or site plans when such are not prepared for presenta-
tion to the board or commission upon which such member serves.

(c)  No public official shall accept other employment which he
may reasonably believe will impair his independence or OF judgment in
the exercise of his official duties.

(d)  No public official shall disclose confidential information ac-
quired by him in the course of his official duties nor use such informa-
tion to further his personal interests.

(e)  No public official shall voluntarily appear as attorney, counsel,
or otherwise represent private interests or give opinion evidence
against the interests of the County or its agencies or agencies of the
State operating for the County in any action or proceedings in which
the County or agency or any official of the County or agency acting
in his official duty is a party, except where the interests of the County
or agency are incompatible or adverse one to the other, and the
official has been assigned to so appear or give evidence in accordance
with his duty, or where such participation in matters with the County
has no relationship to the official duties of such official.

(f)  No public official shall have any interest, direct or indirect, in
any contract with the County Commissioners or any agency or depart-