The state Department of Water Resources is agreeing to pay a $69,500.00 fine for failing to force 52 newly hired energy consultants to reveal potential conflicts of interests.
The fine must still be approved by the Fair Political Practices Commission. Once approved, the fine will be paid by the department and not individual employees.
It was at the height of last year´s energy crisis when the state agency hired the energy consultants, but did not require them to submit personal conflict-of-interest forms until July. It was later discovered that several consultants owned stock in companies with which they did business. Five were later fired.
This post was last modified on 01/31/2009 5:29 pm