What Would You Do?

The election of a new governor brings many changes to any state capital, including
the shuffling of a variety of appointed positions. In most cases, political appointees have
contributed a great deal to the governor’s election bid and have expertise in a specific area
related to the appointed post. Joe Barritz was in that position when e became assistant
agricultural commissioner in January 2003. He was instrumental in getting the governor
elected, especially through his fundraising efforts. Joe’s family owned thousands of acres in
the state and had been farming and ranching since the 1930’s. Joe earned a bachelor’s
degree in agricultural economics and policy and a law degree from one of the state’s top
institutions. He worked as an attorney in the state’s capital city for over eighteen years and
represented a range of clients, most of whom were involved in agriculture. Thus, he had
many characteristics that made him a strong candidate for assistant commissioner.

After about six months on the job, Joe had lunch with a couple of friends he had
known for many years. During that June lunch, they had a casual conversation about the
fact that Joe never did have a true “celebration” after being named assistant agricultural
commissioner. His friends decided to talk with others about the possibility of holding that
celebration in a few months. Before long, eight of Joe’s friends were busy planning to hold a
reception in his honor on October 5. Two of these friends were currently employed as
lobbyists. One represented the beef industry association, and the other worked for the
cotton industry council. They asked Joe if they could hold the celebration at his lake home
in the capital city. Joe talked with the commission’s ethics officer about the party and
learned that these types of parties, between close friends, were common for newly
appointed and elected officials. The ethics officer told Joe that the reception and location
were fine, but only if his lobbyist friends paid for the reception with personal funds. The
state’s ethics rules did not allow a standing government official to take any type of gift,
including corporate dollars, that might influence his or her decision making. Joe
communicated this information to his friends.

During the next few months, Joe was involved in a number of issues that could
potentially help or harm agriculture-based industries. Various reports and policy
statements within the Agricultural Commission were being used to tailor state legislation
and regulatory proposals. The beef and cotton councils were actively supporting a proposal
that would provide tax breaks to farmers and ranchers. Staff on the Agricultural
Commission were mixed on the proposal, but Joe was expected to deliver a report to a
legislative committee on the commission’s preferences. His presentation was scheduled for
October 17.

On October 5, nearly sixty of Joe’s friends gathered at the catered reception to

reminisce and congratulate him on his achievements. Most were good friends and
acquaintances, so the mood and conversation were relatively light that evening. A college
football game between two big rivals drew most people to the big-screen TV. By midnight,
the guests were gone. Back at the office the following week, Joe began working on his
presentation for the legislative committee. Through a series of economic analyses, long
meetings, and electronic discussion, he decided to support the tax benefits for farmers and
ranchers. News reports carried information from his presentation.

Thorne/Ferrell/Ferrell (2008) “Business and Society: A Strategic Approach to Social Responsibility”

(3rd ed.) Boston: Houghton Mifflin, pp. 145-146.
 It was not long before some reporters made a “connection” between the reception in
Joe’s honor and his stand on the tax breaks for agriculture industries. An investigation
quickly ensued, including reports that the beef and cotton industry associations had not
only been present but also financially supported the reception on October 5. The small
company used to plan and cater the parts indicated that checks from the cotton industry
council and beef industry association were used to cover some of the expenses. A
relationship between the “gift” of the reception and Joe’s presentation to the legislative
committee would be a breach of his oath of office and state ethics rules. If you were Joe,
what would you do?

Thorne/Ferrell/Ferrell (2008) “Business and Society: A Strategic Approach to Social Responsibility”

(3rd ed.) Boston: Houghton Mifflin, pp. 145-146.