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RAD Code of Ethics Policy

Purpose and Resolution

In order to maintain the highest level of public confidence in public agencies, it is necessary to hold public officials and employees to stringent ethical standards; and,

As the public must be assured that decisions are made independently, free of any conflict of interest through the appropriate decision making channels; and,

As the Allegheny Regional Asset District is defined in law as a "special purpose areawide unit of local government" and is involved in the distribution of public funds;

The Board of the Allegheny Regional Asset District desires to set forth a set of ethical standards for representatives of the District to follow.

All representatives of the District including members of the Board, the Chief Counsel and other counsel and employees whether on staff or engaged by contract shall follow these provisions without hesitation.

Provisions

1. Each representative of the District shall comply with all state and federal laws prohibiting conflict of interest including the State Ethics Act (65 P.S. 401 et. seq.).

2. No representative of the District shall personally serve as a board member of any regional asset which seeks to receive or which receives funding from the District.

3. No representative of the District shall use his or her position or any information received through his or her position to obtain financial gain other than compensation provided by law, for himself or herself, a member of his or her immediately family or a business with which he/she or a member of his or her immediate family is associated. For purposes of this code, immediate family shall be as provided in Act 77 of 1993 (parent, spouse, child, brother, sister or like relative-in-law).

4. No representative shall solicit or accept from any party doing business with the District or seeking to do business with the District anything of value except as follows:

  • gifts from family members or friends wherein the motivation is the family or personal relationship
  • non-pecuniary awards publicly presented in recognition of public service
  • admission to charitable, civic, political or other public events or attendance at business meetings where refreshments or meals of nominal value may be provided
    • Insofar as admission to the event may otherwise be charged, a representative of the District shall limit acceptance of an unpaid admission from each qualifying asset to no more than twice a year. This limitation shall not apply to tours of facilities for the purpose of orientation, inspection or evaluation of projects.
  • travel expense reimbursed for attendance at official meetings
    • All reimbursements will be consistent with RAD’s travel policy.
  • samples provided as promotional material (pens, notepads etc.)

5. It is the responsibility of management to initiate and maintain both a working environment and systems to avoid fraudulent acts against the District. Management shall regularly report to the Board Audit Committee on efforts undertaken in this area.

It is the responsibility of every employee and Board Member to immediately report suspected misconduct or dishonesty on the part of other employees or Board Members to Chief Counsel. Misconduct and dishonesty include but are not limited to:

  • acts that violate the Code of Ethics
  • theft or misappropriation of items belonging to the District
  • misstatements and other irregularities in company records including intentional misstatements of financial results
  • wrongdoing
  • forgery or other alteration of documents
  • fraud and unlawful acts
  • any similar acts

Chief Counsel shall have primary responsibility for investigating such matters and shall report findings to the Board Audit Committee.

6. It shall be the duty of each representative to notify the Chief Counsel of potential violations of this Code or the Acts. Unreported violations by employees may result in disciplinary action up to and including discharge.

7. The Chief Counsel shall be required to annually notify representatives of any filing requirements and shall be required to investigate each violation claim, report to the Board on any findings and recommend appropriate action. The Chief Counsel will also provide legal opinions to representatives concerning potential conflicts and, if necessary, shall consult and/or refer matters to the appropriate local or state agencies.

8. The Executive Director shall see that all current and future representatives of the district and qualifying assets receive a copy of this policy.