Delegate Reprimanded for Conflict of Interest

An Anne Arundel County delegate was publicly reprimanded by his peers on Tuesday after an ethics panel concluded that he stood to benefit personally from legislation.

The House of Delegates voted 127-3 on Tuesday in favor of reprimanding Del. Tony McConkey (R-District 33A). The General Assembly's ethics committee discovered that McConkey had failed to disclose a conflict of interest in legislation he had pushed during the last session that would have allowed him to regain his real estate license, according to The Baltimore Sun.

According to The Sun, McConkey agreed to settle with the Real Estate Commission on charges of fraud, misrepresentation and false pretenses against three of his clients in 2010. The legislation amendment McConkey proffered would have eased his repayment and reinstatement.

McConkey serves Maryland's Legislative District 33A, which includes central Anne Arundel County. He serves alongside Del. Cathy Vitale (R-District 33A), who issued the following statement:

“It's a difficult situation. When we are sent to Annapolis, it is with the trust and faith of our voters. What appeared to be an unclear issue during the last session has been made clearer through the decision of the ethics committee; and we must, as elected officials continue to keep the trust that the public puts in us.”

Read the full story on The Baltimore Sun.