DOB Quiz Question # 3
The construction company for which you work must have a weekend variance to install a handicap ramp at a school. The construction will be done just before the school holds a fundraiser for a new class that’s dedicated to educating disabled students. You arrive at the Department with barely enough time to submit your weekend…
The construction company for which you work must have a weekend variance to install a handicap ramp
at a school. The construction will be done just before the school holds a fundraiser for a new class that’s
dedicated to educating disabled students. You arrive at the Department with barely enough time to
submit your weekend variance request and you ask when it will be approved. The customer service
representative explains that he’s not sure your very late documents will be processed in time. You
explain the urgency of the fundraiser and construction. You add, “If I finish here in time, I can still make
the Yankee game tonight. Hey – I’ve got an extra ticket. You want to come – my treat?” Did you just offer
the customer service representative a bribe for having your documents processed in time?
Agree with Bond. Question to ask yourself, would you want tabloid journalists turning up on your doorstep asking you about said transaction.
According to the city’s corporation counsel, anything that you wouldn’t do for a stranger is a bribe. There’s no problem if a DOB inspector shows up and you offer a cup of coffee, it’s a common courtesy that you would extend to anyone. So if you were in the office and there were several people around who did not work for the city, as well as the examiner and you made the statement “I have an extra ticket to the Yankee’s game, does anyone want it?” the examiner could take the ticket without being guilty of anything. That being said, city rules state that it is not enough to avoid impropriety, but you must also avoid the appearance of impropriety, so the rep. would probably be guilty of work rules, but no crime.
Just to really cover him or herself, if the examiner takes the ticket, they should deny your permit, which would be a real kick in the pants.
That’s my two cents.
was gonna say, these little DOB quizes are gettin mighty easy!
They consider even sending a holiday card a bribe. Soon a smile may be outlawed…
That one seems more like a bribe. Did he take it???