Another Kind Of Moral Hazard
Front page above the fold in today's Miami Herald is the story of former Homestead Mayor Steve Bateman. The guy used his position to steer money to himself and his wife through manipulating various real estate deals. $200,000 seems to have been the cost for serious access. Convicted, the former mayor is awaiting sentencing
On one hand it might be argued that lobbying for a health clinic that served poor folks in Homestead and pushing a real estate deal that benefited a private for profit school that would provide training in the medical field for South Dade residents are legitimate public policies for a mayor to pursue, but the question remains should he and his wife profit from the related lobbying and real estate deals.
This kind of behavior is really ethically challenging, but it shines a light on something in a way folks need to understand. Money and governing are often way too close to each other and campaign contributions can't be far behind in corrupting behavior of public officials.
On one hand it might be argued that lobbying for a health clinic that served poor folks in Homestead and pushing a real estate deal that benefited a private for profit school that would provide training in the medical field for South Dade residents are legitimate public policies for a mayor to pursue, but the question remains should he and his wife profit from the related lobbying and real estate deals.
This kind of behavior is really ethically challenging, but it shines a light on something in a way folks need to understand. Money and governing are often way too close to each other and campaign contributions can't be far behind in corrupting behavior of public officials.
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