Do City laws also provide that economic opportunities may constitute a conflict of interest?
Yes. The City of San Diego has adopted a conflict of interest law that is even more stringent than what is contained in the State’s conflict laws. City law prohibits City Officials from participating in a municipal decision in instances where a party to the municipal decision has given the City Official, promised to give the City Official, or acted as an intermediary for the City Official to have, an opportunity for compensation. This law prevents a City Official from being involved in a municipal decision even if the official doesn’t have one of the economic interests listed above. The purpose behind this law stems from the public’s interest in preventing City Officials from being improperly influenced by being given special opportunities, not available to the general public, for financial reward.
