Erie County's acting district attorney is proposing some updated language in the county's Code of Ethics, in response to an ethics complaint filed last month against a prominent elected official.
Michael Flaherty, during a Monday morning news conference in his office, said he forwarded the proposed changes to the Erie County Legislature and Erie County Executive last Friday. His proposals include updated language that clarifies definitions, updated language detailing what activities are off limits and increased punishments for violations including immediate termination upon a criminal conviction.
"I want to have an ability to act upon misdeeds," said Flaherty. "I want to have tools to work with when violations of the Ethics Code, which may not be crimes under the penal law, but may become crimes under the ethics code."
Flaherty would not specifically name the case that inspired him to pursue changes to the Ethics Code, but he hinted it was in response to the county ethics board's complaint last month against Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw. The Comptroller was charged with ethics violations after it was revealed local business leaders paid $12,000 to allow Mychajliw to attend a Harvard seminar in 2014.
Mychajliw fully revealed the payment in his financial disclosure paperwork. While the board determined the payment could be seen as an attempt by local business leaders to influence the office, it also concluded that there was no evidence that any favors were given.
The Acting DA's proposed changes can be viewed by clicking here.
