Ethics, Schmethics!
An ordinance will be introduced at tonight’s City-County Council meeting calling for an investigation into alleged ethical lapses by Council President Monroe Gray. Although it’s been reported that Council attorney Aaron Haith originally would not let it on the agenda until he was over ruled by the Gray himself. Some recently obtained correspondence between Haith and the Republicans is telling.
In a letter to Minority Leader Phil Borst and Republican Attorney Bob Elrod, Haith called the measure “capricious and ludicrous.” He also went on to say it disrespected a fellow Councilor and was being proposed to embarrass the Council. He points out existing rules for ethical investigations and questions the Republicans’ intent for bringing the proposal.
This is interesting because not only has Gray has been accused of failing to disclose his business ties to city contractor who got millions in city business, but Haith himself is Gray’s private attorney and also acted as the attorney for Mid Region, Gray’s failed construction company that’s been named in several suits for failure to pay suppliers and workers.
I have been no fan of Monroe Gray’s Council presidency and have always questioned whether he had the intellectual gravitas to lead the body with all the challenges the city faces. To date I have seen nothing to be able to answer that question in the affirmative. However, I do there should be an investigation. It should be by a panel and with one Democratic appointee, Republican appointee and a bipartisan appointee. The Council it too important a body with too much work to do to allow Gray’s alleged conduct to go uninvestigated.
If Democrats are smart, and most of them are, they will make such a suggestion so they can get on with the city’s important work. They could also ask Gray to step down as President.
