Assemblyman Green's resignation: Does the Courier get it?

Assemblyman Jerry Green (D-Plainfield)

Frankly, I am disappointed that Plainfield Assemblyman Jerry Green (D-22) resigned his position as VP for Local Affairs at the Alman Group.

Which puts me at odds with the editorial in Gannett's Courier News on Thursday.

"Jerry Green gets it." was the striking lede, referring to the Assemblyman's abrupt resignation from the Alman Group as evidence that he "understands that the perception of a conflict of interest ... is nearly as bad as the conflict itself."

Gannett's original story threw Green's work as an Assemblyman, as an Alman Group operative, and as a champion of local issues into sharp relief, and as I wrote on Monday --

Green is at pains to point out that he does not PERSONALLY benefit financially from any of the interconnections. And that he only gets compensation from the Alman Group on a 'project-by-project' basis. The details on those projects, however, are not forthcoming. Nor can you find out anything about Jerry Green's relationship with Alman Group clients from the profiles on its website.

And that is where the issue lies, from my point of view. If all of this stuff is above-board and legit, what is the reason for lack of full disclosure? Complete transparency can only help Green overcome the doubts of those who are suspicious. And why wouldn't one want to do that?

Assemblyman Green cites legal opinions that he is on solid ethical ground, and that is just fine as far as it goes.

As a disinterested observer, I think that he has a right -- and an obligation -- to show the public that is the case by sharing with us WHY he omitted mentioning his relationship to the Alman Group on his financial disclosure form, AND by disclosing who his Alman Group clients have been so that we can see for ourselves that any suspicions of a lack of ethical probity are baseless.

Failing to do so will leave the public with the perception that he resigned because there IS some impropriety, that there IS something to hide. What blameless person would want NOT to rebut such perceptions with plain facts?

Far from clearing things up, Green's resignation has left the waters muddied.

By abandoning the moral high ground after the first shot was fired, the Courier has deprived Assemblyman Green -- and the public -- of an opportunity for him to make a firm and convincing case that he has not crossed any lines of propriety or legality.

It sounds far too much like The Owl and The Pussycat to me.

---

Further reading --

• Courier editorial, 10/04/07: "Appearance matters in ethics board membership"
• Plainfield Today, 10/04/07: "Assemblyman Jerry Green resigns abruptly"
• Plainfield Today, 10/01/07: "Assemblyman Jerry Green comes under scrutiny"
• Gannett, 10/01/07: "Lawmakers still finding ways to hide conflicts" -- The initial mention of Assemblyman Green's Alman Group connection.

-- Dan Damon

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