Attorney General's News Release
November 30, 2006
Local public officials invited to free conference on Ethics in Government, sponsored by Attorney General's Office
Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon is encouraging public officials from across Missouri to attend a one-day conference on Ethics in Government in Jefferson City on Jan. 9. The seminar is being offered at no charge by Nixon's office.
Sessions at the conference will cover:
- Compliance with the Sunshine Law, including a media perspective presented by Edgar Simpson, editor of the Joplin Globe;
- Nepotism and other employment issues;
- How to address consumer protection concerns of constituents;
- The Americans with Disabilities Act;
- Record keeping;
- Sexual harassment;
- Sovereign immunity;
- Residency requirements;
- Local environmental issues; and
- Issues involving conflicts of interest and disclosures.
"With many elected officials taking office for the first time at the beginning of January, this is an ideal time for those officials and others already in office to make certain they are acquainted with some of the ethical and legal questions they must face every day," Nixon said. "Our goal is to make certain that ignorance of the law is not an excuse for non-compliance, and attorneys from my office will provide useful information and be ready to answer questions."
To date, nearly 1,500 public officials in Missouri have attended the Ethics in Government conferences sponsored by Nixon over the past 10 years.
The 2007 conference will be held on Jan. 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Room 490-492 of the Harry S Truman State Office Building, located at 301 W. High St. in Jefferson City. Although free, registration for the conference will be limited. For more information on registering, call 573-751-7052.
Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).
All media inquiries should be directed to the Press Secretary.
E-mail Phone: 573-751-8844 Fax: 573-751-5818