Linn County Attorney: Marion Council Member Glew Has No Conflict of Interest

The ethics complaint filed against Marion City Council member and former mayoral candidate Nick Glew has been dropped by Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden.

Local businessman Mike Dricken alleged that Marion City Council Member Nick Glew violated Iowa law twice by making motions to approve resolutions to approve payments by the City of Marion to his employer.

Glew is employed by Anderson-Bogert Engineers and Surveyors, Inc. as a public information specialist, according to a statement from Vander Sanden explaining his ruling. City records show Glew made motions in July and October to approve resolutions to pay money owed to Anderson-Bogert Engineers, according to Vander Sanden.

However, although Glew made the motions, he abstained from voting on those motions both times, actions Vander Sanden said prevented Glew from breaching conflict of interest laws.

The release also mentioned that Glew was cautious, holding meetings with the Marion City Attorney to make sure that his actions did not constitute a conflict of interest.

In previous interviews with Marion Patch, Mayor-elect Allen Snooks Bouska has alleged that Glew's actions constitute a conflict of interest.

However, in interviews with Marion Patch, Glew has always maintained that the questions about a potential conflict of interest are baseless.

He also stated this in an Eastern Iowa Government story.

"It’s unfounded," he said. "We're not worried about it, but it’s something people will have to spend time on, unfortunately."