[carls]

I spoke on a panel with Rick Sung, the Undersheriff who allegedly withheld permits until Apple coughed up the iPads.

At the end of the event, each panelist was offered a Starbucks gift card by the event organizers.

Rick gave his Starbucks gift card to me, saying, "since I'm here as a public official I can't accept this. Otherwise it would be counted as a bribe."

Wild.

[prepend]

What’s funny is he still accepted it, but he gave it to you. Seems like he was either not up on his ethics, or he just wanted to appear ethical.

He could have refused the gift. But not sure what California’s rule is, but I expect that accepting nominal gifts under a low dollar threshold is allowed.

[prepend]

Holy cow, the limit for local officials in California is $500 per year from a single source. [0]

That seems really high to me and seems that it’s completely legal for this official to get $500 from each applicant, given that it’s done in a deniable manner.

It’s $50 for a federal employee [1].

[0] https://www.fppc.ca.gov/content/dam/fppc/NS-Documents/TAD/Pu...

[1] https://ask.fedweek.com/federal-government-policies/rules-gi...

[blub]

That was win win win:

* seem ethical by not "accepting" gift

* give the worthless gift away and make the recipient be in your debt

[ec109685]

Yes, you can’t accept and donate.

[SV_BubbleTime]

If your going to do it, go big.