Did New Job Create a Need for Recusal for Colonial School Board Member?

Yesterday we published an article that showed that Colonial School Board member Eunice Franklin-Becker has a new job. She now works for the Montgomery County Democratic Committee.

We looked back at some of the more recent issues before the School Board and there is one issue, depending on the timeline, that Franklin-Becker probably should have recused herself.

One of the board members (see above) of the Montgomery County Democratic Committee is David Nasatir (he is its treasurer). Professionally, Nasatir works for the law firm of Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP, which in August was under consideration to serve as bond counsel for the Colonial School District (in conjunction with it building a new school).

Obermayer’s proposal was before the Finance & Audit Committee on August 6th. Franklin-Becker serves on that committee:

If she was in the process of being considered for a position with the Montgomery County Democratic Committee, it could be argued that she should have recused herself due to this issue involving one of the Board Members of a potential employer.

Note, Obermayer did not receive the appointment. In the end the board went with the cheapest option.

But that isn’t the point.

Even if you end up voting against the company that you may have a conflict with, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have recused yourself.

Remember the timeline is important. When was the first submission of a resume or conversation about the job? That is the question that needs to be answered.

If you are interested, here is how the law reads in Pennsylvania’s Ethics Act.