2009-38 (December 3, 2009)
Fundraising; Name, Use of; Canon 2

Issue: May a Judicial Official and his or her spouse pay to be listed as sponsors in a fundraising program journal for the benefit of an individual who is seeking funds to launch a musical career? The Judicial Official will not be soliciting other donors but merely wishes to make a contribution, which would be reflected in the program journal, to be distributed at an upcoming out of state performance. The Judicial Official is not related, within the meaning of the Code of Judicial Conduct, to the musician. If the judicial official may not be listed with his or her spouse, may the judicial official’s spouse be listed without the judicial official?

Response: Based on the information provided, the Committee unanimously determined that the Judicial Official may make a contribution in honor of the musician and may have his or her name listed along with his or her spouse in the program of contributors. The Judicial Official should consider the propriety of using his or her judicial title in the program journal to determine whether it implicitly lends the prestige of judicial office to advance the private interests of others in violation of Canon 2.