Mississippi Advisory Opinions February 14, 2005: AGO 2005-0050 (February 14, 2005)

Advisory Opinion Text

Chief Lee Shelbourn

Chief of Police

City of Petal

127 West 8th Avenue

Petal, Mississippi 39465

Re: Relative Running for Municipal Office

Dear Chief Shelbourn:

Attorney General Jim Hood has received your letter of request and assigned it to me for research and reply. Your letter states:

Please consider this a request to obtain a formal opinion concerning the following.

The son-in-law of the Chief of Police who is also the husband of a detective sergeant of the same department wishes to run for the office of alderman of said city. Could you possibly give me an official opinion in reference to the following questions:

1. Can he run for this office?

2. What restrictions, if any, will he have concerning voting on police department matters if elected?

In response to your first question, we know of nothing that would prevent the person in question from being a candidate for alderman. Of course, he must possess the basic qualifications to hold that office.

In response to your second question, we understand from a telephone conversation that you have been in contact with the State Ethics Commission regarding potential conflicts of interest should your son-in-law become an alderman. Any questions regarding such potential conflicts must be addressed by that commission.

Sincerely,

Jim Hood Attorney General

Phil Carter Special Assistant Attorney General