CEO 75-43 -- March 5, 1975

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

PROPRIETY OF PUBLIC OFFICERS ACCEPTING GIFTS FROM GROUP SUBJECT TO THEIR REGULATION

To: Guy E. Labalme, Assistant Attorney General, Tampa

Prepared by: Gene L. "Hal" Johnson

SUMMARY:

Reference is made to CEO 75-21 and CEO 75-22. Under the prohibitions set forth in s. 112.313(1), F. S., as amended by Ch. 74-177, Laws of Florida, the commissioners of the Tampa Board of Port Wardens and Pilot Commissioners may not accept gifts of cases of liquor from a group of pilots.

QUESTION:

May the Commissioners of the Tampa Board of Port Wardens and Pilot Commissioners accept an unsolicited gift, one case of liquor to each of the five commissioners, from the pilots as a group without violating the standards of conduct set forth in s. 112.313, F. S., as amended by Ch. 74-177, Laws of Florida?

It is our opinion that the acceptance of a case of liquor under the circumstances described is prohibited by s. 112.313(1), supra.

Please find enclosed copies of previous opinions of this commission, CEO 75-21 and CEO 75-22. We find the rationale underlying these opinions to be equally applicable to the circumstances contained in your inquiry.

Accordingly, your question is answered in the negative.