Arizona Telecom Regulator Mulls Ethics Code
The Arizona Corporation Commission will consider adopting a code of ethics, the regulator said Tuesday. Commissioner Tom Forese asked for comments and announced a formal workshop at a date to be determined. About six months ago ex-ACC Chairwoman Susan Bitter…
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Smith resigned after an investigation by Attorney General Mark Brnovich (see 1512180034). The Republican AG asked the state Supreme Court to remove her from the ACC position due to conflict of interest, alleging Bitter Smith is a registered lobbyist and executive for Southwest Cable Communications Association. “It is not uncommon for an elected body to have a code of ethics and it is long overdue that the commission should have one,” Forese said in a statement Tuesday. “The creation of a code of ethics will allow us to bring in the brightest legal minds and discuss the conduct of commissioners; whether it involves campaign finance concerns, commissioners registered as lobbyists, or the proper use of travel funds. It is time for commissioners to put our house in order.” ACC Chairman Doug Little said he supports Forese and “look[s] forward to working with him on this important issue.” The commission will consider an ethics code that goes beyond existing state laws on conflicts of interest, prohibitions on accepting gifts from lobbyists and other unethical practices, it said.