BERNSON DROPS THREATS TO SUE ETHICS COMMISSION FOR FINE.Byline: Patrick McGreevy Daily News Staff Writer City Councilman Hal Bernson Hal Bernson served as Los Angeles City Councilman for the 12th district. He was chair of the Transportation Committee. Prior to being on the City Council, he served in the Navy. Preceded by Robert M. has decided not to sue the Ethics Commission In the United States, an Ethics Commission is a commission established by State law to discourage dishonest practices by their public employees and elected officials. Almost all American states have such a commission. over a $1,500 fine it levied against him for using his political officeholder of·fice·hold·er n. One who holds public office. Noun 1. officeholder - someone who is appointed or elected to an office and who holds a position of trust; "he is an officer of the court"; "the club elected its officers for funds to buy box seats at the Hollywood Bowl The Hollywood Bowl is a modern amphitheatre at 2301 North Highland Avenue in Hollywood, California, USA, that is used primarily for music performances. The "bowl" in this context is the natural cavity in the earth into which the amphitheater is built, rather than the shape of the , officials said Friday. Bernson quietly paid the fine earlier this month despite earlier threats to challenge the commission's action in court as unfounded. ``He has decided not to pursue it,'' said Fred Hayes, the councilman's attorney. ``We want to focus on doing his job. He doesn't want to get distracted dis·tract·ed adj. 1. Having the attention diverted. 2. Suffering conflicting emotions; distraught. dis·tract by a political debate.'' Bernson did not return calls for comment. When the Ethics Commission levied the fine March 13, Bernson said, ``It's not over yet,'' and he predicted a court would overturn the commission's action. Hayes said the councilman hasn't changed his opinion. He is dropping plans for a lawsuit lawsuit: see procedure; tort. , ``even though we made it clear . . . our position was that the statute was vague and ambiguous.'' The Ethics Commission decided in March that buying tickets to the Los Angeles Philharmonic The Los Angeles Philharmonic (LAP) is an American orchestra based in Los Angeles, California, United States. History Founded in 1919 by William Andrews Clark, Jr. did not comply with ethics rules requiring political officeholder accounts to be used to ``assist, serve and communicate'' with constituents and banning their use for personal benefit. Bernson said at the time that the commission was ``nitpicking'' his use of the funds, which he felt was proper because he took constituents to the Hollywood Bowl to discuss city business. However, Ethics Commissioner Eve Fisher said during the hearing in March that the ethics laws did not intend for political officeholder accounts to finance nights at bowl performances. ``We did not intend for folks to communicate with their constituents at the Hollywood Bowl,'' Fisher said at the time. On Friday, Fisher welcomed Bernson's decision not to take the dispute to court. ``I think it's a good decision,'' Fisher said. ``I support his decision.'' |
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