ABSTRACT

The phrase “conflict of interest” may appear so self-explanatory that it does not require further examination. However, thoughtful scrutiny reveals that many of the pitfalls and failures associated with public service at any level grow out of legal or ethical conflicts of interest. Some consider conflicts of interest to occur only when specific conflict of interest rules or laws are broken. Many of those laws are aimed at specific issues, such as financial disclosure, nepotism, improper use of public resources, or influence peddling. However, in the larger sense, if an individual (or group) functioning under governmental auspices, responsible for making decisions or taking actions affecting the public, places self-interest ahead of public interest in exercising authority, then a conflict of interest exists.