2008-07 (September 26, 2008)
Fundraising; Soliciting Contributions; Charitable Activities; Gifts; Family;
Canons 2 & 5 

Issue:  May a Judicial Official’s spouse raise funds to enable the Judicial Official to qualify for participation in a charitable golf tournament?   

Response:  Based upon the facts presented, the Committee unanimously agreed that the Judicial Official’s spouse could not solicit charitable donations that would be used to make-up a portion of the Judicial Official’s minimum fundraising contribution to enable the Judicial Official to qualify for participation in a charity golf tournament. Although the facts did not reveal how it was contemplated that the Judicial Official’s spouse would solicit such donations, the Committee determined that it would be improper for the spouse to (1) solicit funds without disclosing to donors that the purpose was to enable the Judicial Official to participate, (2) act as the Judicial Official’s agent in soliciting funds for the charity, or (3) solicit a “gift” for the Judicial Official.