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Rell Names Special Ethics Czar

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Rell Names Special Ethics Czar

By Susan Haigh

Associated Press

HARTFORD — Even before she was sworn in as governor this week, M. Jodi Rell took a step to separate herself from the ethics problems of the Rowland administration, announcing that she will appoint an ethics czar in the executive branch.

Gov Rell is tapping Rachel S. Rubin, former managing director at the state Ethics Commission, as the a special counsel for ethics compliance. The job takes effect on July 9.

Ms Rubin played a key role in the House Select Committee of Inquiry’s hearings this month into Gov John G. Rowland’s conduct. She was questioned by the committee’s lawyers and the governor’s attorneys for two days about Connecticut’s ethics laws and whether Mr Rowland violated those statutes when he accepted various gifts from state contractors and employees.

The committee never got the chance to decide whether to recommend Mr Rowland’s impeachment. The third-term Republican announced his resignation on June 21.

In a written statement, Ms Rell said Rubin’s appointment indicates ethics in government will be a major focus of her administration.

“My first and most important responsibility as governor will be to restore confidence, trust, and integrity in our state government,” Ms Rell said. “Rubin’s work will make it absolutely clear that everyone serving in the office of governor and all the executive branch agencies will adhere to the highest ethical standards when conducting state business.”

Besides day-to-day advice and counsel on ethics compliance for the governor’s office and the agencies, Ms Rubin will advise Ms Rell of any agency practices that might contribute to ethics violations or create appearances of violations. She also will development ethics awareness programs and develop recommendations for new legislation.

Ms Rubin, 49, was managing director at the ethics commission for nearly 13 years, until 2001. She is currently an associate athletic director at the University of Connecticut, where she is also the director for ethics and regulatory affairs.

In her new position, she will spend four days a week serving the governor’s office and one day a week working for UConn. Ms Rubin will be paid $105,000 a year.

Ms Rell has not yet named her main legal counsel.

Ms Rubin is Ms Rell’s third staff appointment. The new governor previously announced that M. Lisa Moody, her current chief of staff, will serve as chief of staff for the governor’s office. Ms Moody, 44, has worked for Ms Rell since 1995.

Ms Rell also has appointed Dennis Schain as communications director. Mr Schain, 52, is a former reporter and most recently served in communications and community relations for Fleet Bank in Connecticut and later Bank of America.

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