Coast trustee’s ethics questioned by union president

Angelique Flores

The president of the Coast Federation of Educators is questioning the

ethics of Coast Community College Trustee Armando Ruiz.

In 1992, Ruiz hired attorney Walt Howald, also a Coast trustee, to

represent him in a lawsuit. Four years later, Howald sued Ruiz, who is

running for reelection this month, for unpaid legal fees, but the case

has been settled.

However, Kristina Bruning, the teacher’s union president, questions

whether Ruiz’ status as debtor to Howald influenced his votes on motions

made or opposed by his creditor.

“I don’t know if it’s illegal, but it’s certainly unethical,” Bruning

said.

Bruning cites a conflict of interest in the two trustees’ outside

business. However, according to the law, conflicts of interest arise when

the outcome of a decision will have an important effect on the official’s

economic interests. Under the circumstances that Bruning describes, no

conflict of interest is evident.

“There’s nothing that says you can’t work for someone,” said John

Symkowick, of the Fair Political Practices Commission.Ruiz also does not

see any ethical problems with entering into an attorney-client

relationship with his fellow trustee.

“It’s a plain and nasty hit piece,” Ruiz said of the accusations. “I

stand by my record of what I’ve been able to do for Coast Community

College District.”