LTE: Ramadan Should Acknowledge Failure to Disclose

Dear Editor,

Delegate David Ramadan (R-87) maintains he wasn't required to officially disclose a recent the trip, but the Virginia code appears to state otherwise.

"A key point of the code pertaining to financial disclosures states 'gift' means any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, forbearance or other item having monetary value. It includes services as well as gifts of transportation, local travel, lodgings and meals, whether provided in-kind, by purchase of a ticket, payment in advance or reimbursement after the expense has been incurred.”

I am writing in response to the story on David Ramadan's trip to Taiwan published online on Friday the 17. I am perplexed why Ramadan simply did not follow the financial disclosures protocol (see above). I think, as an elected official, to follow the rules is expected at the very least.

After being clearly caught, it is unacceptable to me that he claims this is some kind of cheap shot. I doubt if the rest of us could get by with the same excuse within our own jobs. Right is right and wrong is wrong. I am either responsible for my actions or I am not.

I am very disappointed in David. We have these rules in place for a reason and it is so taxpayers don't have to wonder who is getting money or gifts from whom.

As an elected official, he should go out of his way to tell us what kind of special treatment he is receiving. In the commercial sector, we have to be very mindful of any gifts or special treatment by a foreign government. It would seem to me our own elected officials would be as open and forthcoming.

His refusal to report the trip was wrong and his reaction to the questions surrounding it is elitist. What he did was against the rules, he needs to fix it, apologize and tell us about anything else he decided to leave off of his reports.

Yes, David this counts. $4,000 is a lot of money to most Americans. You can't plead 'no fair' on this.

Best regards,

Kathy Stewart Shupe
Sterling, VA