State of Washington

Ethics Advisory Committee

Question

May a district court judge permit a district court employee to volunteer as a loaned executive to United Way if the employee is represented as a county employee, and is specifically instructed not to indicate that the employee is a representative of the court or a representative of a specific judge?

Answer

It is not proper under CJC Canon 2 and Canon 3(A) for a judge to permit a court administrator to volunteer as a loaned executive to the United Way as such could appear to be utilizing public funds for a private purpose and also could interfere with the performance of the judicial duties of the judge to see that court business is disposed promptly.

Opinion 88-17

12/12/1988