1. KEEP ME OUT OF TROUBLE !!! AN INTRODUCTION
ETHICS AND THE PHA
KEEP ME OUT OF TROUBLE !!!
AN INTRODUCTION

2. THIS YEAR’S THEME
TOO MANY EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS THINK THEY OWN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
TOO MANY BOARDS THINK THEY RUN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

3. GOAL FOR PRESENTATION HAVE A GOOD BEGINNING AND A GOOD ENDING.
HAVE THEM AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE
GEORGE BURNS

4. OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS
THE ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION CONTRACT
THE HUD ETHICS MANUAL

5. THE LEGAL BASIS
ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS CONTRACT
FIDUCIARY ISSUES

6. ACC OVERVIEW WHAT’S REQUIRED WHERE ARE PROBLEMS ETHICAL ISSUES:
CONFLICT OF INTEREST, ETC.

7. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN ACC AND REPUBLISHED ETHICS MANUAL FOR PHA’S
VOTING
MINUTES ADOPTED !!

8. WHAT CONTROLS? FEDERAL LAW REGULATIONS STATE LAW HANDBOOKS CONTRACTS
ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINIONS

9. THE ISSUE DEFINED FOLLOW THE MONEY PROCUREMENT OWNERSHIP
APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY
CONTRACTS TO FRIENDS
“WE CAN ALL EAT STEAKS INSTEAD OF HAMBURGERS”

10. THE RULES PUBLIC HOUSING
APPLIES TO PRESENT OR FORMER MEMBERS OF PHA GOVERNING BODY
ANY EMPLOYEE WHO FORMULATES POLICY
NEPOTISM
DISCLOSURE
WAIVERS

11. MORE EXAMPLES CONTROLLING EXPENDITURES DESIGNATED BANK, BANKER, FUNDS
DESIGNATED PROGRAMS
HIRING COMMISSIONER SPOUSE AT PHA

12. RELATIVES AND HIRING!! DIRECTOR LEFT BOARD INTERVIEWED
SKIPPED OVER TWO
HIRED RELATIVE OF MEMBER
ONE COMMISSIONER FORMER DIRECTOR
WHAT DO YOU DO?

13. WAIVER FORMS INCLUDED IN WAIVER GET WAIVER FIRST
IN WRITING: SEE DEFINITIONS
LOCAL, REGIONAL, NATIONAL?

14. WHEN A PROBLEM DEVELOPS
NOTIFY ALL IN THE CHAIN
GET ADVICE OF ATTORNEY
NOTIFY HUD?
INSURANCE CARRIER?
DEALING WITH THE MEDIA
FIXING THE PROBLEM

15. AUDITS INSIST ON GOOD AUDIT DO I KNOW HOW TO READ THE AUDIT?
DEVELOP FINANCE/AUDIT COMMITTEE
REPORT ANY POSSIBLE PROBLEM
IF FOUND – REPORT IT, DON’T BE CAUGHT

16. SEASONED VETERANS INTERACTION WITH NEW COMMISSIONERS
EDUCATION/TRAINING WITH NEW COMMISSIONERS
GUIDANCE ON ETHICAL, EXPECTATIONS, VOTING, ETC.

17. COMMISSIONER RETREATS
SCHEDULE RETREAT
LET THE STAFF BE INVOLVED
PLAN, SET GOALS
EVALUATION OF BOARD
EVALUATION OF DIRECTOR

18. CONCLUSION GENERAL RULES AVOID APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY
FOLLOW THE RULES: ALL OF THEM
ASK BEFORE ACTING
DISCLOSE ANY POSSIBLE ISSUES
TAKE ADVICE GIVEN
WATCH WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!

19. MANAGING MANAGING IS GETTING PAID FOR HOME RUNS SOMEONE ELSE HITS.
CASEY STENGEL