Ethical decision making. Administrative responsibility, conflict & Ethical reflection

 In the case, the property appraiser led to an ethical scandal by deciding to sell 1.5 acre parcel of land to the county.  The ethical scandal is from land deal, deception and failure to adhere to ethical standards (Menzel, 2009). The deal violated the property rights and failed to hold a discussion on the matter of land purchase. This is a case which required an ethical reflection in order to avoid the ethical scandal which occurred. The appraiser, County Attorney and the administrator were involved in ethical scandal which caused long-lasting effects to the public.  In ethical reflection, the County Attorney and the administrator could adhere to the code of ethics and statement of ethics (Menzel, 2009). In this case, they could avoid improper influences and personal bias and this could prevent the problem. In addition, the codes of ethics could help the official avoid unethical behaviors.  Other point is that ethical reflection could promote decision-making transparency. This could act as a powerful tool for preventing unethical behaviors and foster a transparent environment (Menzel, 2009). Ethical reflection could also avoid the scandal in that public officials could blow the whistle after realizing that other country officials are involved in unethical conduct (DRYBURGH, 2009). With ethical reflection and codes of ethics, the official could provide a legal representation in the land deal, they could seek property authority and they could provide clear details on land transaction and purchase.

 The County Attorney

 The county attorney was involved in an ethical scandal in the following way. Note that the attorney and the appraiser had a long term friendship, and so the attorney addressed the case of land deal through a friendly way.  In other words, she failed to follow the legal system and decided to represent the appraiser in the land purchase in a private way and forced the chair to sign the conflict-of interest waiver (Menzel, 2009). The point is that the attorney had a misleading action and led other officials astray.

 The County attorney was involved in an ethical dilemma which was associated with conflict of interest because she failed to make a fair decision- since it could not favor the appraiser (Menzel, 2009). She did contrary to her professional obligation   for the purpose of fulfilling personal interests and goals. In the conflict of interest, she did not offer a legal representation but led to confusion and ambiguity (Menzel, 2009).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

 

DRYBURGH, M. M. (2009). Personal and Policy Implications of Whistle-Blowing. Public Integrity, 11(2),

155-170.

 

Menzel, D. C. (2009). I Didn't Do Anything Unethical, Illegal, or Immoral. Public Integrity, 11(4), 371-384.

doi:10.2753/PIN1099-9922110405