NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A complaint has been filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission after Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones offered free tickets to any of the team’s five remaining home games to North Little Rock uniformed police officers and their families.
Jones, who grew up in North Little Rock, is named in the complaint along with Mayor Joe Smith, the city aldermen and the president of the North Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 5. In addition to the free tickets, travel and hotel costs are also covered in the gift.
Local blogger Russ Racop of Little Rock filed the complaint Wednesday, saying the gift violates Arkansas code which prohibits public servants from receiving gifts for their duties or responsibilities. Gifts valued at more than $100 are prohibited, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (https://bit.ly/2e8TiI1 ).
The North Little Rock City Council approved a resolution Oct. 24, accepting the gift. City Attorney Jason Carter said the resolution was passed to comply with state ethics laws.
“My advice was to present it to the City Council to make sure the offer was transparent and accountable and, in my opinion, within the law,” Carter said of the gift. “It’s better to be transparent and have the discussion in front of the public. That’s the best policy of government.”
More than 100 of the police department’s 179 officers are expected to attend one of the games offered. President of the North Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 5 Michael Gibbons said Jones’ offer was meant to recognize officers in the area for their community interaction and service.
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Information from: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, https://www.arkansasonline.com
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