Long Beach : Committee Asked to Draft Public Officials’ Ethics Code

The City Council has directed one of its committees to draw up a proposed ethics code for public officials in Long Beach.

In a unanimous vote, the council Tuesday asked its Legislative Committee to review ethics codes adopted by other cities or governmental agencies, as well as a recent Los Angeles report written in the wake of controversies over Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley’s financial dealings.

The code could include standards governing travel, the acceptance of gifts and outside fees and might also toughen financial disclosure requirements.

Mayor Ernie Kell raised the issue of a city ethics code, saying that while state law covers campaign activities, there are few laws regulating officials once they are elected or appointed.