Erica Winter LLC

The Washington Times story, “Ethics rules let D.C. Council members shield outside income” by Jim McElhatton brought my attention to a serious conflict of interest related to financial disclosure rules for DC Council members.  According to the story, DC rules require lawmakers to make public outside income sources only if an employer or client did business with the city government or stood to gain from pending legislation during the past calendar year and they are left to police themselves on conflicts of interest.  This in itself is a conflict of interest.  Pure compliance with the law is insufficient.  Rules related to financial disclosure must be more comprehensive to deter abuses.