Frederick Commissioner Ignored Ethics Ruling

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- A Frederick County commissioner says he ignored a local ethics board ruling barring his construction firm from doing work subject to county inspection.

The Frederick News-Post reported Friday on a citizen complaint alleging that Commissioner Kirby Delauter did private work requiring at least four county inspections and permits despite the decision by the Frederick County Ethics Commission.

Delauter says he didn't comply with the March ruling because he wasn't notified beforehand that the board was meeting to consider the issue. He says he was denied an opportunity to argue his case.

The ethics board initially advised Delauter in 2010 not to do such work. The board reversed itself last January and said he could bid on private jobs. Two months later, the board reversed itself again.

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