Did Conflict of Interest Cost Fresno State in Football Stadium Deal?
John Pelissero, director, government ethics, said that when university administrators involve themselves in contracts in which they have a conflict, particularly involving a family member, it can erode trust in the institution.
“One of the things that we look for is for university administrators to have enough ethical awareness to understand that they have a conflict of interest and in the best interests of the university they should not be involved at all in the contracting process,” he said.
“The public has a right to expect that their tax dollars that support public universities are going to be looked after by good stewards who have the fiduciary responsibility for this, and they shouldn’t be placed in the hands of people who could use their positions to advance the financial or private interests of a family member,” Pelissero said. “That just erodes trust in those who are in management positions in the university.”
John Pelissero, director, government ethics, quoted by The Fresno Bee.