In such situations he should consider voluntarily refraining from making the requested endorsement. We were aware that commercial endorsements offered a potential source of additional revenue to this employee and to other state employees as well. However, we stated that the endorsement of a business with which an employee has an official relationship has the potential of undermining the integrity of government and its employees and must be avoided. We thanked him for his openness and frank presentation to the Commission and commended him for his concern for ethics in this area. Commissioner I.B. Peterson was excused from the meeting at which this opinion was considered.
Compensation is an all-encompassing term which includes any return for services.
The fact that one is not paid in cash for services does not necessarily mean that he is not being compensated.