071020 MSEO, ETH 20-026-E

• Case Date: July 10, 2020
• Court: Mississippi

ETH 20-026-E Ethics Advisory Opinion No. 20-026-E Mississippi Ethics Commission Mississippi Ethics Opinion July 10, 2020          Tom Hood Executive Director and Chief Counsel          Ben H. Stone, Chairman Gulfport          Paul V. Breazeale, Vice Chairman Jackson          Dana S. Stringer, Secretary Brandon          Sean A. Milner Clinton          Ron Crowe Brandon          Stephen W. Burrow Pascagoula          Bobby Waites Brandon          Spencer M. Ritchie Jackson          Question Presented: May the child of a county tax assessor/collector be employed by a business which is a contractor to the tax assessor/collector’s office?          Brief Answer: Yes, but the tax assessor/collector may not use his or her position to obtain or attempt to obtain any monetary benefit for the employer, as prohibited in Section 25-4-105(1), Miss. Code of 1972.          The Mississippi Ethics Commission issued this opinion on the date shown above in accordance with Section 25-4-17(i), Mississippi Code of 1972, as reflected upon its minutes of even date. The Commission is empowered to interpret and opine only upon Article IV, Section 109, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, and Article 3, Chapter 4, Title 25, Mississippi Code of 1972. This opinion does not interpret or offer protection from liability for any other laws, rules or regulations. The Commission based this opinion solely on the facts and circumstances provided by the requestor as restated herein. The protection from liability provided under Section 25-4-17(i) is limited to the individual who requested this opinion and to the accuracy and completeness of these facts.          I. LAW          The pertinent Ethics in Government Laws to be considered here are as follows:          Section 25-4-103, Miss. Code of 1972.          (b) “Benefit” means any gain or advantage to the beneficiary, including any gain or advantage to a third person pursuant to the desire or consent of the beneficiary.          (c) “Business” means any...