CITIZEN’S ETHICS ADVISORY BOARD

OF THE OFFICE OF STATE ETHICS

Minutes of July 27, 2006

The Citizen’s Ethics Advisory Board (CEAB) of the Office of State Ethics held its regular meeting on Thursday, July 27, 2006, in Conference Room 2A, Second Floor, 18-20 Trinity Street, Hartford, Connecticut.

The meeting was called to order by the Chairperson at 1:01 p.m.

The following members attended the meeting:

  • Patricia T. Hendel, Chairperson
  • Robert Worgaftik, Vice Chairperson
  • Dennis Riley, Board Member
  • Sister Sally J. Tolles, Board Member
  • Jaclyn Bernstein, Board Member
  • Rebecca M. Doty, Board Member
  • Scott A. Storms, Board Member, joined the meeting by telephone, only for the discussion of the Advisory Opinion.

The following staff members were present:

  • Benjamin Bycel, Executive Director
  • Brian O’Dowd, Assistant General Counsel
  • Cynthia Isales, Assistant General Counsel
  • Patrick J. Lamb, Assistant Ethics Enforcement Officer
  • Meredith Trimble, Director of Education
  • Diane Buxo, Paralegal
  • Sean King, Paralegal
  • Iris E. D’Oleo-Edwin, Paralegal
  • Wendy Hasbrouck, Fiscal Administrative Officer
  • Debra Schuler, Office Assistant
  • Christine Vieira, Office Assistant

Ms. Samantha Wolf, from Hallmark Information Technology, and Mr. Charles E. Hoadley, from the Department of Information Technology, alsoattended this meeting.

The following topics were discussed during the meeting:

  • Executive Director, Benjamin Bycel, introduced three new employees to the Board: Wendy Hasbrouck, Debra Schuler and Christine Viera.
  • The CEAB approved the Minutes of June 15, 2006. Board member Robert Worgaftik abstained from voting.
  • Mr. Bycel further continued with updates regarding open positions available at the agency, specifically, the positions of General Counsel and Ethics Enforcement Officer. He also updated the CEAB regarding the renovations in the new office space and the situation concerning payment of Katy Essington.
  • The CEAB discussed and approved the response to a Request for Advisory Opinion regarding the interpretation of General Statutes §1-84 (p) presented by Brian O’Dowd. Board member Dennis Riley abstained.
  • Our computer consultant, Samantha Wolf, commented on the status of the computer software and online filing system that is being implemented and how we are moving forward. Charles E. Hoadley commented and actively participated in this discussion.
  • Patrick J. Lamb gave an update on the compliance program for the Statements of Financial Interests. Arrangements to create the two-board member subcommittees will be made to preside over the § 1-88 hearings.
  • Meredith Trimble commented about the upcoming training and educational programsfor public officials and state employees.
  • The CEAB members agreed to have the next Board meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 24, 2006 via teleconference.

The meeting adjourned at 2:44 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Iris E. D’Oleo-Edwin

Clerk

Office of State Ethics

Approved:

This meeting was taped-recorded