Louisville Courier Journal Editorial: Louisville Metro Council Member Judy Green Must Go.
Judy Green must go
Beleaguered District 1 Councilwoman Judy Green has her supporters, and her public life is not without service that earns such support. But the findings of the Metro Ethics Commission regarding Ms. Green's handling of the Green Clean Team summer jobs program for young people demonstrate an abuse of the public trust and the public coffers in ways that completely undermine her integrity and effectiveness as an elected official.
In a searing and unanimous report issued late last week, the ethics panel did not mince words about “clear and convincing evidence” of Ms. Green's “intentional, deliberate violations” of sections of the city's ethics law pertaining to securing unwarranted privileges for family members, conflict of interest and impaired objectivity.
After lobbying her Metro Council colleagues to approve a $35,000 Green Clean Team grant to be administered by the LIFE Institute, the ethics panelists wrote, “Dr. Green replaced Dr. (Eddie) Woods (the head of LIFE Institute) with her husband, James P. Green. Dr. Green controlled every aspect of the Green Clean Team program. She interviewed applicants, determined who would participate, decided when and where the children would work, frequently personally supervised their work, directly and indirectly prepared payment vouchers, and directed how much each child would be paid. Relatives of Dr. Green who participated in the Green Clean Team received more pay than non-relatives for the same work.”
The report also cited Ms. Green's conflict of interest when she “solicited funds through a non-profit organization, utilizing her position as a member of the Metro Council, which she covertly intended to personally administer.”
Additionally, the ethics commission said it was “particularly troubled” by lack of receipts and documentation for the entire operation, including sizable chunks of cash for which Ms. Green asked to be reimbursed.
The panel closed its damning report by invoking the strongest penalties it could for Councilwoman Green — letters of reprimand and censure, to be issued later — but it also recommended that the full Metro Council start the proceedings to remove Ms. Green from office.
That would be a sad end to her public life, but the ethics commission's findings are unequivocal. In what is the first real test of the city's new ethics law, the council members must come down on the side of law. Five Metro Council members brought charges Monday that could result in Ms. Green's expulsion from the council. That is an appropriate start. Next, the entire body must act in a forceful and nonpartisan manner to restore confidence in their integrity and effectiveness as elected officials by upholding the law.
If Ms. Green will not resign, the council must remove her from office.
Beleaguered District 1 Councilwoman Judy Green has her supporters, and her public life is not without service that earns such support. But the findings of the Metro Ethics Commission regarding Ms. Green's handling of the Green Clean Team summer jobs program for young people demonstrate an abuse of the public trust and the public coffers in ways that completely undermine her integrity and effectiveness as an elected official.
In a searing and unanimous report issued late last week, the ethics panel did not mince words about “clear and convincing evidence” of Ms. Green's “intentional, deliberate violations” of sections of the city's ethics law pertaining to securing unwarranted privileges for family members, conflict of interest and impaired objectivity.
After lobbying her Metro Council colleagues to approve a $35,000 Green Clean Team grant to be administered by the LIFE Institute, the ethics panelists wrote, “Dr. Green replaced Dr. (Eddie) Woods (the head of LIFE Institute) with her husband, James P. Green. Dr. Green controlled every aspect of the Green Clean Team program. She interviewed applicants, determined who would participate, decided when and where the children would work, frequently personally supervised their work, directly and indirectly prepared payment vouchers, and directed how much each child would be paid. Relatives of Dr. Green who participated in the Green Clean Team received more pay than non-relatives for the same work.”
The report also cited Ms. Green's conflict of interest when she “solicited funds through a non-profit organization, utilizing her position as a member of the Metro Council, which she covertly intended to personally administer.”
Additionally, the ethics commission said it was “particularly troubled” by lack of receipts and documentation for the entire operation, including sizable chunks of cash for which Ms. Green asked to be reimbursed.
The panel closed its damning report by invoking the strongest penalties it could for Councilwoman Green — letters of reprimand and censure, to be issued later — but it also recommended that the full Metro Council start the proceedings to remove Ms. Green from office.
That would be a sad end to her public life, but the ethics commission's findings are unequivocal. In what is the first real test of the city's new ethics law, the council members must come down on the side of law. Five Metro Council members brought charges Monday that could result in Ms. Green's expulsion from the council. That is an appropriate start. Next, the entire body must act in a forceful and nonpartisan manner to restore confidence in their integrity and effectiveness as elected officials by upholding the law.
If Ms. Green will not resign, the council must remove her from office.
Labels: Keeping them honest
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 7:10 AM
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