BEFORE THE

STATE OF FLORIDA

COMMISSION ON ETHICS

 

 

 

In re  OPAL RICE,      )

                       )                                           Complaint No.  91-180  

     Respondent.       )                                           Final Order No. COE ____

                       )

 ______________________)

 

 

FINAL ORDER AND PUBLIC REPORT

 

 

     This matter came before the Commission on Ethics on the Recommended Order rendered in this matter on March 26, 1993, by the Division of Administrative Hearings' Hearing Officer (a copy of which is attached an incorporated by reference).  The Hearing Officer recommends that the Commission enter a Final Order finding that Respondent violated Section 112.3143, Florida Statutes, when she voted on rezoning her husband's property and neglected to  file memoranda of voting conflict within 15 days.  For this violation, the Hearing Officer recommends that a civil penalty in the amount of $100.00 be assessed against her.   The Hearing Officer also recommends that the Commission find that the Respondent did not violate Section 112.313(6), Florida Statutes.  Neither the Respondent nor the Commission Advocate filed any exceptions to the Recommended Order.

 

     Having reviewed the Recommended Order, the Commission hereby adopts the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommended penalty which have been presented in the Recommended Order.  Accordingly, the Commission on Ethics finds that the Respondent violated Section 112.3143, Florida Statutes, and hereby dismisses the Complaint in so far as it charges Respondent with violating Section 112.313(6), Florida Statutes.

 

     For this violation of the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees, pursuant to Sections 112.317(1) and 112.324(7), Florida Statutes, it is the recommendation of the Commission on Ethics that a civil penalty be imposed upon the Respondent in the amount of $100.00.

 

   ORDERED by the State of Florida Commission on Ethics this 11th day of June, 1993.

 

 

 

 

                                  _____________________________

                                  Date Rendered

 

 

 

 

                                  _____________________________

                                  Stephen N. Zack

                                  Chairman

 

 

YOU ARE NOTIFIED THAT YOU ARE ENTITLED, PURSUANT TO SECTION 120.68, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO JUDICIAL REVIEW OF AN ORDER WHICH ADVERSELY AFFECTS YOU.  REVIEW PROCEEDINGS ARE COMMENCED BY FILING A NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL WITH THE APPROPRIATE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL, AND ARE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FLORIDA RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE.  THE NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL MUST BE FILED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF RENDITION OF THE ORDER TO BE REVIEWED.

 

 

 

cc:  Ms. Opal G. Rice, Respondent

     Mr. Craig B. Willis, Commission Advocate

     Ms. Monique DaLombe-Herra, Complainant     

     Division of Administrative Hearings