In other words, "he can always dump her"

Surprised that the law doesn't cover this situation.

Any pictures of the lady in question? It would be funny if she is drastically out of Saltzman's league...

So, it can't be a conflict of interest unless they're a bonafide relative? Then if I were a councilman I'd be handing out all kinds of favors to get laid.

No shit. Talk about corruption in our city. FFS...

If he liked it then he should have put a ring on it.

OK, quick: someone draft a conflict of interest rule that anticipates every situation that MIGHT look ethically shaky, but that can't be called out as pragmatically difficult, or potentially wildly over-inclusive.

GO!

Here you go CC:

Don't give public money to someone you're fucking.

Blabby has 'nailed it'. I would also add section 2: Don't give public money to people with the expectation that in return they will fuck you.

Also - the deputy city attorney's opinion means exactly jack shit in this context ('based on the facts as presented to us'). I am sure that any criminal or law violator's attorney can lay out the arguments why their client is not guilty. I believe that is the definition of many a lawyer's job. If you want an actual assessment, don't ask the person's attorney who has a goal of protecting their client operating on facts as presented by the client.

In other news, in the view of the city attorney government officials can now hand out money to their special lady friends (or gentlemen callers) as long as they don't marry them! Huzzah! Now Merritt Paulson's love for certain politicians dare speak its true name!

I'm felling pretty fucked by all this. Can I get some money?

Reymont, Ms Burns is on facebook. When I did a little googling, I came upon a Trib article from 4/29 that included some little profiles of each candidate. Dan's said, "Family: Girlfriend, Liz Burns..." as well as mentioning his daughter. Huh.