On Wednesday, the bipartisan House Management Committee adopted a new ethics rule prohibiting cash gifts, although money from non-lobbyist family members and friends is allowed.
The move is clearly in response to reports in The Philadelphia Inquirer that four legislators accepted payments from a lobbyist wearing a wire for state prosecutors.
The allegations that four Pennsylvania lawmakers were caught on video accepting money from a confidential informant during a criminal investigation underscored the need for such a ban.
The lawmakers allegedly accepted the money as part of a sting operation that never produced charges. Attorney General Kathleen Kane, who inherited the investigation when she took office early last year, said she ended it because it was too badly flawed when she inherited it. She said the informant, Tyron B. Ali, worked largely unsupervised in an investigation improperly targeting Black lawmakers.
The four Philadelphia House Democrats who reportedly took money from Ali were: Reps. Ronald G. Waters for a total of $7,650; Vanessa Brown, $4,000; Michelle Brownlee, $3,500; and Louise Bishop, $1,500.
While it is important to remember that none of the four lawmakers have been charged with any crime, the allegations against the four represent appalling and unacceptable behavior.
The alleged conduct is totally unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. This sort of behavior by elected officials erodes public trust and increases cynicism
It is long overdue that Pennsylvania lawmakers realize that unlimited cash gifts can have corrupting effects in a democracy.
(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)