KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Independence Board of Ethics decided Tuesday that councilman Curt Dougherty had no conflict on interest when deciding city business.
The commission said it will issue an advisement for Dougherty to recuse himself in the future if there is a strong appearance of a potential conflict.
After giving testimony, I asked Independence Councilmember Dougherty questions about tonight's hearing, which focused on whether he has a conflict of interest, as a councilmember, voting on projects his employer becomes the contractor or subcontractor on. @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/vhx77UDFwc
— Ariel Rothfield KSHB (@arothfield) October 24, 2018
Dougherty works as a foreman for Mark One Electric, a company that has been awarded several contracts and subcontracts to work on city-approved projects.
“It’s a big company that doesn't need me to direct contracts anywhere. In seven years there were two,” Dougherty told 41 Action News after he testified.
Councilman Scott Roberson first vocalized concerns about a potential conflict of interest.
A complaint was sent to the board that Councilmember Dougherty has a conflict of interest: voting on city projects that his employer (Mark One Electric) has been the contractor or subcontractor on. @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/Xq8vGINQEM
— Ariel Rothfield KSHB (@arothfield) October 24, 2018
“When one company continues to get a lot of the work, then it is concerning and I want a ruling from the ethics commission on that,” said Roberson.
He sent a letter to the board, requesting they review the issue and issue an opinion.
The hearing was initially scheduled for earlier in the month but Dougherty never appeared. The commission issued a subpoena, requiring Dougherty to appear Tuesday night.
According to several Independence employees, this is the first time in years the board has held a hearing to discuss a conflict of interest.
