How dare an elected official represent any interests of any other citizens?
Los Angeles prosecutor Richard Ceballos wrote a memo suggesting a Los Angeles county sheriff’s deputy had lied in a search warrant affidavit. The United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled that Richard Ceballos’ statements about a potential lie in a search-warrant affidavit were “inherently a matter of public concern” protected by the Constitution. In May 2006 the Supreme Court decided that the memo was inflammatory’ and that a government employee while performing his official duties may be fired or demoted for bringing to light misconduct or corruption within the employing public institution.
Related Questions
- Why does this proposal require a letter/Memorandum of Agreement from the chief elected official (Mayor or Chair of the Board of Selectmen)?
- Can an elected or appointed official serve on a public authority board, and is this official considered to be an independent member?
- Doesn’t this tie the hands of our elected officials and prevent them from addressing new needs of citizens?
