Question

[oldtime dfl_er]

I'm down with flu, and don't have a lot of energy to do anything but think. My thinking keeps coming back to this term "conflict of interest". I know nothing about conflict of interest other than it seems to have been something important in the past, but not anymore. Is conflict of interest just a suggestion? or are there actual LAWS that PROHIBIT conflicts of interest for public employees? I am not understanding why nobody is making a huge stink about Rump's thousands of demonstrable conflicts.

Anyone care to enlighten me?

[renate]

1. I thought I read that the president is the only public servant who's exempt

It seems weird, but that's the impression I got.

This is the first thing that comes up on Google:

The law at issue is Title 18 Section 208 of the U.S. code. It says federal executive branch employees can’t participate in government matters in which they or their immediate family has a financial interest.

Because of this law, some federal employees put their investments in a blind trust. This allows them to sidestep the regulation and participate in a matter that might otherwise pose a conflict of interest.

But the president and the vice president, despite being executive branch employees, are exempt. According to the law’s definitions, Title 18 Section 208 does not apply to them, nor does it apply to members of Congress or federal judges.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/nov/16/rudy-giuliani/giuliani-president-trump-will-be-exempt-conflict-i/'

Edited to add that I guess I was wrong about the president being the only one. It seems pretty weird that Congress is exempt too, as well as judges... the very people who should be most bound by conflict-of-interest rules aren't. Oy.

[vlyons]

2. conflicts of interest are illegal at many levels and in many ways

Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the United States Constitution, prohibits the Federal government from granting titles of nobility, and restricts members of the government from receiving gifts, emoluments, offices or titles from foreign states without the consent of congress. Plus states, counties, and cities have their own laws about accepting bribes, nepotism, and making rules and laws that personally benefit elected officials.

Judges are required to recuse themselves from presiding at a case if there is a conflict of interest.

Then there is the personal integrity of the individual that should prevent him or her from committing self-serving acts and decisions. Alas, personal integrity is a rare commodity these days.

[lastlib]

5. Judges and attorneys are bound by professional canons of ethical conduct

these govern conflicts of interest. The lawyers here can tell you more than I can.

[tblue37]

3. Simple answer: IOKIYAR. nt

[True Dough]

4. "The president can't have conflicts of interest."

Those are literally Herr Don the Con's words! And yet...


This week in Donald Trump’s conflicts of interest: No, seriously, you should stay at my hotel

Pressuring the Kuwaiti embassy to stay at his hotel. Trump's gonna make so much money

http://www.salon.com/2016/12/24/this-week-in-donald-trumps-conflicts-of-interest-no-seriously-you-should-stay-at-my-hotel/


Donald Trump has £245m conflict of interest with Deutsche Bank

President-elect's business has large debt with troubled lender

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/donald-trump-has-245-million-conflict-of-interest-with-deutsche-bank-a7491931.html


Donald Trump's Conflicts of Interest: A Crib Sheet

A semi-comprehensive list of the business concerns that may influence the president-elect as he prepares for the nation’s highest office

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/12/donald-trump-conflicts-of-interests/508382/


THE EVIDENCE TO IMPEACH DONALD TRUMP MAY ALREADY BE HERE

We don’t need to wait to see Trump’s conflicts of interest in action. The ethical violations that will soon be illegal are already taking place.


http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/12/donald-trump-conflicts-of-interest-impeach