Rendell, Governor of PA, et al v. PA State Ethics Commission (Majority Opinion)

State: Pennsylvania

Docket No: 82 & 83 MAP 2008

Case Date: 11/30/2009

Plaintiff: Rendell, Governor of PA, et al

Defendant: PA State Ethics Commission (Majority Opinion)

Preview:[J-43C&D-2009] IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA MIDDLE DISTRICT CASTILLE, C.J., SAYLOR, EAKIN, BAER, TODD, McCAFFERY, GREENSPAN, JJ. EDWARD G. RENDELL, GOVERNOR OF : PENNSYLVANIA, AND JOHN QUIGLEY, : ACTING PENNSYLVANIA SECRETARY : OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL : RESOURCES, : : Appellees : : : v. : : : PENNSYLVANIA STATE ETHICS : COMMISSION, : : Appellant : : : EDWARD G. RENDELL, GOVERNOR OF : PENNSYLVANIA, AND JOHN HANGER, : ACTING PENNSYLVANIA SECRETARY : OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, : : Appellees : : v. : : PENNSYLVANIA STATE ETHICS : COMMISSION, : : Appellant : No. 82 MAP 2008

Appeal from the Order of the Commonwealth Court at No. 268 MD 2007 dated 10/03/08

No. 83 MAP 2008 Appeal from the Order of the Commonwealth Court at No. 269 MD 2007 dated 10/03/08

ARGUED: May 12, 2009

OPINION

MR. JUSTICE SAYLOR

DECIDED: November 30, 2009

This appeal concerns the issue of whether a non-profit corporation is a "business" as the term is defined in Pennsylvania's Public Official and Employee Ethics Act.1 The Ethics Act, among other things, prohibits public officials from engaging in conduct that constitutes a conflict of interest. See 65 Pa.C.S.

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