Published: October 2, 2009
RALEIGH - Gov. Bev Perdue yesterday expanded a narrow state worker gift ban to include all employees under her control in response to news that numerous Division of Motor Vehicles staff members likely received meals and tickets from an outside vendor.
Perdue signed an order that makes all workers in Cabinet agencies follow a state law barring those involved in preparing and awarding contracts and overseeing state construction from accepting gifts or favors from outside businesses that have state contracts or will bid for them.
"This executive order makes it clear -- those of us who serve the people of North Carolina must be held to the highest ethical standards and act accordingly," Perdue said in a news release. "Citizens expect and deserve nothing less."
The State Bureau of Investigation has been asked to investigate more than 200 occasions over 2½ years in which documents show that Verizon Business treated more than 60 state workers and their associates to restaurants, provided them other food and gave them tickets to the Carolina Hurricanes and inaugural ball.
The fringe benefits have raised questions about whether Verizon Business, which has a $51.5 million contract with DMV for its vehicle inspections program, could have received preferential treatment through the gifts. DMV Commissioner Mike Robertson said there's been no evidence that the meals were a trade for expanding the Verizon contract last year.
The executive order has its limits. It wouldn't apply to departments that are led by statewide elected officials such as the agriculture, labor and insurance commissioner, or systems of higher education. Perdue's order encourages these agencies to follow the new restrictions.
Although the additional workers who get covered under the order may be subject to disciplinary action, it can't enforce the state law for contract decision-makers that makes it a misdemeanor to accept a gift.
Perdue spokeswoman Chrissy Pearson said the governor wants the legislature to consider giving her directive more teeth by approving a bill next spring that would expand the current law to all state employees and subject everyone to criminal penalties.
"This action today went about as far as she could do outside of changing the law," Pearson said.
Sen. Steve Goss, a co-chairman of the Legislative Ethics Committee, said he is willing to work with Perdue next year to shepherd such a bill through the General Assembly.
"It's extremely important to say ‘no gifts,'" Goss, D-Watauga, said. "You have to do it across the board (or) you leave this gray area.... The bottom line is complete openness and transparency."
The order directs Cabinet secretaries to educate current and new employees about the rules as well as current contractors. Future bid requests also must conclude the requirements.
Jane Pinsky of the North Carolina Coalition for Lobbying and Government Reform praised Perdue's order and her commitment to transparency in state government, saying citizens should be reassured "they're getting the best government that they can."
