Columbus Dispatch on Hazel Sidaway: Ex-pension official guilty in ethics probe
Hazel Sidaway, who had been on the board of the State Teachers Retirement System for more than a decade, likely faces a fine and probation. She has no record of ethical or criminal violations.
Sidaway, who lives in Canton, was convicted of two counts of conflict of interest for accepting four Cleveland Indians tickets and two tickets to the Broadway production of Hairspray.
Investment consultants who had contracts with the retirement system provided the tickets.
The jury in Franklin County Municipal Court acquitted her of a charge of conflict of interest for accepting meals at three Columbus restaurants.
She also was acquitted of all three counts of failing to truthfully report the gifts.
The items were given from 2001 to 2003.
During trial, Sidaway, 62, testified that she didn’t realize consultants were the source of the tickets until long after the events, and then she reported them accordingly. She said she relied on the advice of staff members at the retirement system in her dealings with the investment consultants they hired. She said staff members also advised her when she filled out reports listing gifts that she had accepted. Ohio law prohibits public employees from accepting items of value from contractors. Assistant City Prosecutor Lara Baker told the jury that such gifts could potentially influence board members, who decide which firms and consultants to hire.
posted by Kathie Bracy at 7:48 AM
<< Home