Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
QUESTION
How does Chapter 68 address hiring family members and conflict of interest evaluations?
0:26:22
·
95 sec
Milton Williams explains that the hiring of family members under Chapter 68 is evaluated for actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
- The Conflicts of Interest Board evaluates potential conflicts when hiring family members.
- The evaluation includes both actual and perceived conflicts of interest.
- The perception of conflict is also an important aspect, as it may impact the board's independence and autonomy.
- Williams personally prioritizes the distinction between actual conflicts and their perception, emphasizing a sensitivity to perceptions of conflict.
Keith Powers
0:26:22
I understand you can't speak about specific instances, but I wanted to understand just the application of chapter 68 that has spanned a few administrations here.
0:26:32
When we talk about specific instances around family members and compensation, Can you can you just explain to us what you believe are the laws surrounding the ability to hire a family member and what's what provisions exist?
Milton Williams
0:26:46
So my understanding is they can be it has to be board has to evaluate whether or not a, there could be an act conflict of interest.
0:26:56
And this is more of a summary, 50,000 for view in terms of I approach it.
0:27:01
Whether or not there is or could be an actual comp conflict of interest.
0:27:07
Any other piece to it in terms of the perception of the independence and autonomy of of the board is whether or not it could be perceived as a conflict of interest.
0:27:16
And that's how I personally would would approach from the the facts and certain answers when they are presented.
Keith Powers
0:27:22
So the the factual application of whether it's a conflict and the perception as well.
0:27:27
Is that correct to say?
Milton Williams
0:27:28
I'm saying me is is is personally, I would look at the perception because sometimes perception becomes very important.
0:27:35
Now look, sometimes there's a divergence between whether or not there's an actual conflict and whether or not there's a there's a perception of it.
0:27:43
And if there's no actual conflict, then it that that's in my opinion what should unless, you know, that's in my opinion what should control.
0:27:52
But I am sensitive to the perception.
0:27:55
Okay.
Keith Powers
0:27:56
Okay.
0:27:56
Understood.