Can agency employees solicit donations for charitable events from outside businesses?

The state's ethics law contains a very strong presumption against solicitation by any state officer or state employee for any purpose, including charitable events. Solicitation by state employees can create the appearance that a donation might result in favorable treatment from the state, whereas a failure to donate might result in unfavorable treatment. A state officer or state employee whose official duties include regulation or the contracting for goods and services needs to be especially careful about solicitation. Accordingly, State officers and employees may not use their official state positions to solicit goods and services from private organizations and businesses. The following examples address solicitation on behalf of charitable organizations. (See RCW 42.52.070, RCW 42.52.140 and RCW 42.52.150(4)) Example A: The head of a state agency purchasing office sends a letter requesting gifts or donations for use at a CFD kick off luncheon to several vendors who provide goods and ...  more