February 21, 2022 •
Honolulu City Council to Consider Lowering the Cap on the Value of Gifts to $25
The Honolulu Ethics Commission is proposing to lower the permissible value of gifts to city employees from $200 to $25.
Commissioners chose not to pursue a recommendation to require gift disclosure forms.
The debate comes amid increased scrutiny over ethics rules after two former Hawaii legislators pleaded guilty to accepting thousands of dollars in bribes. Federal prosecutors brought charges of honest services wire fraud after ex-Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English and ex-Rep. Ty Cullen failed to list the bribes on mandatory annual gift disclosures filed with the state.
The ethics commission plans to introduce its proposed legislation at the Honolulu City Council, giving council members the opportunity to review and possibly amend it.
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