An Unethical Arrangement for a Lawmaker's Wife
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In the April 16 Sunday Politics column, "Donations for a Congressman, Profits for His Wife," Thomas B. Edsall and Zachary A. Goldfarb reported that Julie Doolittle, wife of Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-Calif.), had formed a fundraising company whose clients include her husband's campaign committee and his leadership PAC. Mr. Doolittle's spokesman said the company's "compensation is based entirely upon performance in that it receives a percentage of what it is directly involved in raising." He said the arrangement was "consistent" with that of other fundraisers, that "having family members paid for such work is both legal and ethical" and that it meets with the approval of the House ethics committee as long as "compensation is consistent with the market rate."
As a fundraiser with more than 15 years of experience and as a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), I disagree. The AFP's code of ethics specifically states that "[m]embers shall not accept compensation that is based on a percentage of contributions" because:
· There is incentive for self-dealing.
· A donor trust can be unalterably damaged.
· It can produce reward without merit.
Whatever spin is put on it, I believe Julie Doolittle's innovative way to boost the family's salary is unethical.
MERRY CAVANAUGH
Washington
