NCJ Number
50199
Date Published
1978
Length
93 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT FOCUSES ON THE EXPERIENCE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND CITIZENS' GROUPS IN PREVENTING AND RESPONDING TO PROBLEMS OF OFFICAL CORRUPTION.
Abstract
THE PROBLEM OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION AND FACTORS IN DIAGNOSING AND FIGHTING IT THROUGH LAWS AND POLICIES ARE CONSIDERED ALONG WITH MANAGERIAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND EXTERNAL REMEDIES. THE SCOPE, COST, AND CHARACTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION ARE OUTLINED. WHERE AND HOW TO START LOOKING FOR CORRUPTION AND WHAT TO LOOK FOR (I.E., MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS, RECORDS AND ACTIONS, ATTITUDES AND CLIMATES OF OPINION) ARE DISCUSSED AND SUBJECTIVE INDICATORS OF POSSIBLE CORRUPTION ARE IDENTIFIED. THE ROLE OF LAWS AND POLICIES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IS REVIEWED WITH ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING: WHAT LAWS, FORMAL POLICIES, AND WRITTEN RULES CAN DO; CODES OF ETHICS; CONFLICT OF INTEREST LEGISLATION; DISCLOSURE POLICIES; DECLARATION OF INTEREST AND RELATED POLICIES; OPEN MEETING POLICIES; CAMPAIGN FINANCE REGULATIONS; AND IMPLEMENTING LAWS, REGULATIONS, AND POLICIES. FOLLOWING A DISCUSSION OF REMEDIES IN MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION, EXTERNAL SOURCES OF CORRUPTION CONTROL ARE EXAMINED, INCLUDING CITIZEN WATCHDOG GROUPS, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM, AND PUBLIC INTEREST ORGANIZATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS. APPENDED MATERIALS INCLUDE A MODEL CODE OF ETHICS, AN EXAMPLE OF A FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FORM, SAMPLE POLICIES REGARDING THE CONDUCT OF PUBLIC HEARINGS. TABLES DETAIL VARIETIES OF CORRUPTION, THE COST OF BRIBES, CORRUPTION SCENARIOS, DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLISTS AND INDICATORS, A SAMPLE SURVEY INSTRUMENT, THE INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS, AND RELATED INFORMATION. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED.